Owner / Founder/ Lead Instructor

Coach Adam has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2015. He received his Black Belt from Professor Tim Mannon (4th Degree Black Belt under Master Renzo Gracie). Coach Adam began formally teaching adult classes under Professor Mannon as a Purple Belt and was the Lead Instructor for the Team Mannon BJJ Kids Program from 2022-2025. He also coached local middle school and high school wrestling teams between the 2017-2022 seasons.

Coach Adam is an active member of local area law enforcement with close to 15 years of service. He has served in several different roles, and currently serves as a resource officer at a local area high school. He is an active member of his department’s SWAT Team, and serves as a Defensive Tactics Instructor, Taser Instructor, Gas and Impact Munitions Instructor, and Firearm’s Instructor amongst several other duties. He also sits as a member of his department’s use of Force Committee.

Over his career he has received several awards and citations including the Award for Valor from the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police, departmental Combat Cross, and Shift Officer of the Year commendations, as well as various citations for DUI/Traffic Safety Enforcement to name a few. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a Minor in Psychology from Bluefield University and is completing coursework to obtain a Master of Business Administration from Bluefield University.

Women’s & Assistant Instructor

Coach Sherri has been training since 2018, and currently holds the rank of Purple Belt under Professor Tim Mannon. Coach Sherri began teaching the kids program with Coach Adam in 2022.

Coach Sherri’s background includes interacting with children during her tenure as a police officer, experience in K-12 classrooms throughout the New River Valley, and volunteer work at kid’s summer camps and after school programs.

Assistant Instructor

Coach Jamie is a Purple Belt under Professor Tim Mannon as well. Coach Jamie has trained for several years and began helping Coach Adam with the kids’ program in 2022. Since that time, he has proven to be an invaluable asset to the program, and adds a dynamic with other instructors and kids that brings along a sense of friendship and fun.

Coach Jamie is also an active member of local law enforcement with over 12 years of service. He is also a member of his department’s SWAT Team, and is honored to serve as a school resource officer at a local elementary school. Coach Jamie has extensive experience on the SWAT Team and holds certifications as a D.A.R.E. Instructor.

Coach Josh has been training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2010 and currently holds the rank of Purple Belt under Professor Tim Mannon. Josh has spent over two decades serving his community as a law enforcement officer and currently works as a school resource officer at a local area high school. Josh has a wealth of experience serving on SWAT teams for approximately 17 years; and has extensive experience teaching recruits defensive tactics as well as firearms skills.

Josh’s love for empowering youth is undeniable, and his passion is genuine and impressive. He truly enjoys and takes pride in helping children succeed in all areas of life. Once Blue Gorilla BJJ opened in 2025, Coach Adam brought Josh in to help with the kid’s program and saw he was an instant hit with the kids. Soon after, Josh began filling in periodically for Coach Adam and the feedback from adult students was fantastic. Josh is now an official Assistant Instructor and will be teaching some morning classes on a consistent basis.

Assistant Kid’s Instructor

Coach Austin began helping Coach Adam with the kids’ program in 2022. Coach Austin has been training for over 2 years, and currently holds the rank of Blue Belt under Professor Tim Mannon.

Coach Austin proudly served in the United States Air Force and retired as a Military Policeman. Since then, he has been very active with Radford City Public Schools and heavily volunteers with the PSA.

Coach Kenny began training martial arts when he was 15 years old, starting in Tae Kwon Do. He progressed through the ranks, earning a Black Belt, and assisted his instructor in teaching children’s martial arts. Later, Kenny became interested in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and began training in 2017 at Team Mannon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and obtained a Blue Belt from Professor Tim Mannon.

Kenny has nearly two decades of experience serving as a law enforcement officer, with the majority of those in the Criminal Investigations Division. Kenny currently heads that division for a local area law enforcement agency. He also holds an Associate’s Degree from New River Community College in Police Science. Kenny has extensive experience teaching defensive tactics to police recruits and holds Gracie Survival Tactics Level I and II certifications. When Blue Gorilla BJJ opened, Kenny was selected to assist with the kid’s program and has been a great help.

Coach Brittany began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2023 when Coach Adam was teaching a small weekly group at Guardian Health and Performance in Radford, Va. Brittany instantly took to the art and began studying diligently. When Blue Gorilla BJJ opened, Brittany was one of the first members and quickly became an Assistant Instructor with the kid’s program. Brittany currently holds a 4-stripe White Belt under Coach Adam.

Brittany holds a Bachelor of Business Administration/Finance and a Master of Business Administration from Radford University. Beyond that, she holds Certificates of Study in Culinary Arts and Baking and Pastry Arts from Al Pollard Culinary Arts, where she also taught for a period of time. Beyond that, Brittany also has experience working with youth through church volunteer activities like summer camps and classes.

Coach Corbin began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2025 when Blue Gorilla BJJ opened. Soon thereafter, he began helping with instructing the kid’s program. Coach Corbin holds a White Belt under Coach Adam but has an amazing energy when working with the kids, and is one of their favorites.

Professionally, Corbin has two decades of service in Corrections and has spent 12 years working as a member of emergency response teams.  Corbin also carries credentials to teach police recruits defensive tactics and firearms.

Assisting with the youth program at Blue Gorilla Jiu Jitsu in Radford, Virginia, you'll find Foster Ridpath, a dedicated and enthusiastic kids coach whose life is a vibrant tapestry of community, family, and entrepreneurial spirit. Drawing on over 15 years in health and recreation at Radford University and 12 years successfully owning and operating CrossFit Radford, Foster brings a profound understanding of physical education and community building to the mats. His commitment to the sport is deeply personal, with his two sons, Canon and Jett, actively training in the program, and his wonderful wife, Kimberly, joining in whenever her schedule allows. Foster expresses immense enjoyment learning from Adam at Blue Gorilla and is particularly passionate about seeing the youth program continue to grow, fostering discipline and confidence in the next generation. Outside the mats, Foster's diverse interests are evident; you may see him wearing many different hats across the New River Valley, whether fulfilling his cherished role as a homeschooling dad (his favorite), tackling landscaping projects, spinning tunes as a DJ, or cultivating his newest adventure with Riner Coffee.