Head Professor, co-owner
Max Gimenis
Max Gimenis was born on April 14, 1993 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Gimenis’ interest in martial arts was sparked at the age of ten when he started learning judo. Jiu jitsu was also offered at the social club and it didn’t take long for Max to sign up for that as well. The jiu jitsu classes were led by Herman Santos, a black belt affiliated with GF Team (then UGF). It would be Santos who instilled in Gimenis the desire to pursue a grappling career from very early on. When Gimenis was fourteen years old, his family moved to Guarapari, a coastal town in the state of Espírito Santo (ES). Arriving to ES as a blue belt, Max continued his jiu jitsu training under the tutelage of Thiago Oliveira at the famous Strike Academy, home to the legendary female competitor, Fernanda Mazzelli. After two years in Guarapari, Max Gimenis decided to return to Rio de Janeiro to follow his dream of becoming a professional jiu-jitsu competitor. He rejoined GF Team and made the academy headquarters his home, literally living at the gym. Guided by Master Júlio César Pereira, Giemenis’ career truly blossomed. His rampant campaigns earned him many important medals and belt promotions by GFT’s leader, who advanced Max to his purple, then brown and black belts. The black belt was presented while on the podium of the IBJJF World Championship, on June 2, 2016.
Jiu Jitsu Professor, co-owner
Eric Philcox
A Black belt under Max Gimenis, Eric Philcox stepped onto the Jiu Jitsu mats for the first time in 2017, he had no idea how deeply it would reshape his life.
Years later, he’s not only a dedicated practitioner but also the co-founder of one of the most dynamic martial arts communities in the region — Culture of Jiu Jitsu in Gaithersburg, Maryland.
Alongside UFC fighter and elite black belt Max Gimenis, Eric has built more than a gym — he’s created a culture.
A place where discipline meets family, where beginners train beside champions, and where every student is treated like part of the team.
Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience, Eric has implemented systems and structures that ensure students receive professional, consistent, and high-level training.
Yet behind the business side, it’s his genuine passion for people that drives everything. “Jiu Jitsu changed my life,” he often says, “and my goal is to give that same experience to as many people as possible.”
Today, Culture of Jiu Jitsu stands as a reflection of that vision — a home for growth, resilience, and community, powered by the belief that everyone can find strength on the mats.
Woman and kids Professor
Marcia ramos
Márcia Ramos hails from Macapá, Brazil, and brings over 14 years of dedicated grappling experience to our team at Culture of Jiu Jitsu. She began her martial‑arts journey in judo, before discovering her true passion in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu.
Today, Márcia holds a second‑degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu and serves as a certified referee for the International Brazilian Jiu‑Jitsu Federation (IBJJF). Beyond her technical credentials, she is deeply committed to fostering a safe, inclusive environment for all practitioners. To this end, she is trained in first‑aid procedures and has completed a specialized course on “Intellectual Disability and its Implications in Inclusive Education.”
At Culture of Jiu Jitsu, Márcia blends rigorous technique with warmth and accessibility, helping students of all ages and backgrounds discover how Jiu‑Jitsu builds confidence, resilience and community."
Kids and Adults Instructor
Gregory Shepherd
Gregory Shepherd is a dedicated martial artist and 10-year U.S. Army veteran with over 25 years of experience in combat sports. Born into a boxing family, Greg was introduced to martial arts at the age of 7, training in Taekwondo at Jang’s Taekwondo in Ellicott City, Maryland. He began boxing at 12 and continued his combat journey through scholastic wrestling in middle and high school, as well as at the collegiate club level. From 2001 to 2003, Greg furthered his Taekwondo training in South Korea, gaining international exposure early in his career.
Over the years, Greg has trained and competed in more than 20 countries, representing the United States on several prestigious stages.
Competition Highlights:
Kickboxing/Muay Thai (2014–2020):
- USA WAKO Kickboxing National Team Member (2018, 2019)
- 2018 WAKO Pan American Silver Medalist (-91kg, K-1 Rules)
- Represented Team USA at the 2019 WAKO World Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
- WKA North American Kickboxing Champion
- IKF World Classic Muay Thai Champion
Taekwondo (1995–2013):
- 3x All-Armed Forces National Team Member
- 3x All-Army Taekwondo Team Member (2010, 2011, 2012)
- 3x U.S. National and Collegiate Medalist (2006, 2009, 2010)
- Represented the U.S. at the 2011 World Military Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Ranks & Certifications:
- WT 6th Degree Black Belt in Taekwondo (under Grandmaster Jong Chul Jang, Jidokwan)
- Black Belt in Hapkido
- Certified Personal Trainer (ISMA/AAAI)
- USA Boxing Level 1 Certified Coach
Greg’s diverse background, leadership experience, and competitive success make him a valued instructor and mentor within the Culture of Jiu Jitsu community.
Jiu Jitsu Professor
Kristian Hernandez
Kristian Omar Hernandez was born on May 30, 1982, and is from Puerto Rico. He joined the U.S. Army in the year 2000 and served his country for ten years. During that time, he deployed to Iraq in 2003 and again in 2005, gaining invaluable experience under challenging conditions. In 2012, he moved to Germany to further support the U.S. Department of Defense.
While in Germany, Kristian began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013 under Jan Basso black belt under Leandro Pereira do Nascimento Lo( Leandro Lo). His endurance and unwavering commitment to the art led him to achieve his black belt in 2020. His dedication to martial arts reflects his resilience and passion for personal growth.
Kids and Adults Instructor
Brandon Everhart
Brandon started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2019 after graduating with his Masters in Computer Science from Florida State University and moving across the country to begin his career. Quickly, Jiu-jitsu became a passion for Brandon as the martial art helped him lose over 70lbs! He finds the technical details of Jiu-jitsu fascinating and greatly enjoys teaching and sharing knowledge with others. He has been instructing kids and adult classes for several years. He is currently a purple belt and has received all of his belt promotions under Professor Max Gimenis.
Adults Instructor
Dan Stretz
Dan Stretz, born on November 19, 1996, on Long Island, New York, began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2017 while home from college for the summer. After just one trial class, he was immediately hooked. At the time, Dan was a dedicated Division III collegiate cross country and track and field athlete, but his passion for Jiu-Jitsu led him to leave the team to focus on his academics and the art of grappling.
While pursuing both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Salisbury University, Dan trained under Miles Moffit (a black belt under Regis Lebre) and Branden Hudson, progressing from white to purple belt under their guidance. In 2024 Dan received his brown belt from Max Gimenis.