Born December 27, 1970, Jason began wrestling at age 5. He then dedicated the next 22 years to strength and conditioning training. After countless hours spent in the gym weightlifting, he began to feel something was missing. Competitive by nature, Jason decided to research combat sports. His research led him to his friend, Justin Catando, who was involved in a form of martial arts combined with wrestling. Jason learned more about Gracie Jiu Jitsu and respected how it was designed to allow a smaller, weaker person to defend themselves against a bigger/stronger attacker. It sounded like great challenge, and Jason set out to experience it himself.

Jason discovered that although he was the bigger/stronger opponent to Justin, Justin was able to use the techniques of Gracie Jiu Jitsu to effectively compete against his larger attacker. Jason was so impressed with what he experienced that he set out the next day to attend Justin's school, Maxercise, in Philadelphia, Penn. Justin's class was taught by Steven Maxwell, a brown belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu at the time. Jason committed the next decade to mastering the art of BJJ. Although he faced many potentially career-ending injuries, he was able to meet his goals with the assistance of his teammates and training partners (such as Rick Migliarese and John Hassett). In 1998 Jason received his blue belt.

After winning the Pan American Games in 2002, Jason was awarded a purple belt, and subsequently moved on to the brown belt level. In January of 2008, Jason attained Black Belt status. After achieving this prestigious distinction, Jason opened the Shark Tank Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy in order to introduce others to the art of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

You can view Jason's certifications here.