About Professor Shawn

My Story

At the age of 40 I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2004 at the Hatfield Mixed Martial Arts Academy, a Gracie affiliate in Pennsylvania. It was there that I developed my grappling foundation under the instruction of Professor Richard Latta receiving my blue belt in 2008.

Like some of my peers my journey is a bit fragmented due to changes in my life. I found myself relocating geographically more than once over the next several years and as a result moving from state to state, but I eventually landed on the mats in 2014 in Massachusetts. It was there in 2015 that I received my purple belt.

In 2016 I then moved to New Hampshire to the beautiful North Country. It was difficult restarting my journey as I could find no BJJ programs in New Hampshire, North of Franconia Notch, with the discipline, structure and hygiene standards that I was accustomed to in a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy.

In 2018 we decided to start a Brazilian jiu-jitsu program in the North Country. After a few location changes we settled in Littleton under what is now the Fenix Highlanders Club located at 35 Mill Street in the River District.

In 2025, I competed as a black belt in the Boston Open at the age of 61.

We instill a strong fundamental skillset to serve the beginner no matter where they travel. But more than that, it is our aim that all members of our club from the recreational practitioner to the tournament competitor reap the intangible benefits enjoyed by grapplers world-wide which make Brazilian Jiu-jitsu so special.

What we have done is to provide a safe hygienic competitive welcoming space for the serious competitor recreational grappler and the martial artist looking for a proven self-defense system. I see myself as a conduit sharing my Jiu-Jitsu experiences with my members and continuing to learn alongside them.