About Us

Kyle started training Gracie Jiu Jitsu in 2018 while attending the University of Louisville Speed School for Biomedical Engineering. He studied Gracie Jiu Jitsu under Black Belts Professor Scott Smith, Nick Fiscante, and Chad Cunningham. After spending a couple years as an Engineer, he decided to dedicate his life to something he is far more passionate about; positively impacting people’s lives through martial arts.
Kyle uses his Biomedical Engineering training to provide a very systematic and enjoyable approach to martial art instruction. He is able to convey difficult physics and biomechanics concepts that underlie Jiu Jitsu in a fun and entertaining way.

Born and raised in Kailua Kona, Hawaii, instructor Isaac Kawamoto has had a deep connection to martial arts and combat sports from a young age. He began his journey in boxing during his youth and continued to hone his skills in boxing, kickboxing, and MMA throughout adulthood.

In 2015, his good friend Lance “The Tornado” Lawrence, a brown belt under Scott Smith, encouraged him to try wearing a gi. Since then, Isaac has been training under the guidance of James London and Adam Gomez.

Isaac earned his rank from white to brown belt at the Georgetown Mixed Martial Arts Academy under Adam Gomez and the American Killer Bees. Outside of his training and coaching, he is happily married to his wonderful wife, Jasmine, and they have two daughters, Kaitlyn and Aubrey. In his free time, he loves fishing, hunting, and enjoying all things outdoors.

Isaac’s mission is to surround himself with great people, contribute to his community, and serve his students to the best of his abilities.

Chris is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach and husband. He began his training journey in October 2017 and quickly developed a deep passion for the sport. Chris enjoys the mental and physical challenges that Jiu-Jitsu presents, as well as the sense of community it fosters. His enthusiasm for coaching stems from his desire to give back to the sport while furthering his own knowledge. He finds fulfillment in helping others progress and grow within the art, seeing it as a way to strengthen both his own practice and his students’ journeys.

Steve is a passionate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, devoted husband, and father of two. Since starting his training in May 2020, he’s developed a profound love for the discipline. The mental and physical hurdles of Jiu-Jitsu excite him, and he cherishes the camaraderie it breeds. As a coach, Steve aims to reciprocate the growth he’s experienced, deepening his understanding while guiding others. By mentoring, he fortifies his own skills and nurtures his students’ development, fostering a sense of mutual growth.

Tom is a life long Martial arts practitioner, and dedicated Jiu Jitsu coach. He was awarded a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 1998 in Newport News, VA, prior to joining the Marine Corps. He began training BJJ under Professor Gustavo Machado in VA Beach, VA in 2003 and then trained under Mike Fowler and Danny Ives in Camp Springs, MD from 2004-2007, where he was awarded his BJJ blue belt. Following this time, his martial arts focus was diverted to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), where he obtained a black belt instructor tab from the Martial Arts Center of Excellence in Quantico, VA in 2010. He has three combat deployments both as a helicopter gunner and later as an infantry officer. He joined Apex in 2022, and received his purple belt from James London in 2025. He is now honored to be a part of the Pinnacle family where he trains BJJ with his daughter, Adelaide. He practices
BJJ because he enjoys the mental puzzle it provides. He enjoys coaching because it drives him to pursue excellence in this highly technical art.