Alumni Instructors

Chief Instructors

Peter Roubal

Tenure: 2012-2017

Started Goshin Jitsu: Summer 2006

Despite being twice the age of most of his students Peter outpaces them both cardiovascularly and technically. In addition to training with Goshin Jitsu, Peter is a faixa preta (black belt) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Jeet Kune Do under Jack McVicker. Peter was awarded his D.M.A. in Music Composition from the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign in 2001. He is an accomplished musician who performs locally as well.

Mike "Joker" Aref

Tenure: 1999-2012, 2017-2020

Becky Zerlentes (1971-2005)

Tenure: 1998-1999 (instructor since 1996)

(Becky Zerlentes passed away April 3, 2005 from a traumatic brain injury sustained in a boxing match)

Becky started training with Goshin Jitsu after coming to one of the club parties on Green Street. She defected from synchronized swimming to do this, although she still enjoyed swimming and ice skating, following her GJ assimilation. She trained with and later became the chief instructor of the club. She also trained boxing, Danzan Ryu Jujitsu, and Okazaki massage. During her tenure here she also completed a doctorate in geography, I remember filming her thesis defense.

The first time I ever watched a Goshin Jitsu practice. Becky was the only person who talked to me and encouraged me to join. Later I remember confidently striding up to her to be thrown only to eat mat harder than I ever had before, her turning radius was considerably shorter than my own. Becky always said she had little confidence and that she deferred easily, but she had no problems ordering guys two or three times her size around and I never recall her shying away from sparring or grappling with anyone. Becky said it and it got done, I'm still running the club because she told me to when she graduated.

Becky was the both the sweetest of women and most ruthless of fighters. She helped reshape certain belligerent attitudes I had with a winning smile and a soft explanation. She also taught a street self-defense class where I ended up in a crumpled heap on the floor. She was supportive of others but self-deprecating. She told me, "One of these days I'm going to see your name in Grappling," but failed to mention her own teaching and competitive milestones. Becky could also set spines and gave awesome massages, but her hugs could cure anything

I want to say that Becky died doing something she loved and it was a warrior's death, but these are hollow words that don't reflect the loss of Becky's unstoppable and unforgettable spirit. She will be missed and those of us lucky enough to know her are lessened by her passing.

Mike Aref

April 5, 2005

Greg Schomburg

Tenure: 1995-1998

Eric Olson

Tenure: 1993-1995

Rudy Valente

Tenure: 19??-19??

Oliver Valente

Tenure: 19??-19??

Colin Kaide

Colin Kaide taught Goshin Jitsu from 1989 to 1993, preceded by Budo Aikido from 1985 to 1989.

After graduating from the U of I medical school in 1993, he did a residency in Emergency Medicine at Ohio State University. Since then, he has done self-defense seminars for EMS and med students, residents, nurses and other hospital personnel. Colin says, "I worked out in small groups of other independent fighters and I joined Krav Maga for about a year. More recently, I have been practicing much less than I want to, owing to increasing job demands." He is on faculty with the Ohio State University Department of Emergency Medicine. He teaches in the residency program, lecturing residents and med students on emergency medicine practice.

Colin is also a part owner of and chief clinical editor in a medical software business called Discharge 123. They provide automated discharge instructions, and prescription writing for emergency departments.

Instructors

"Sakura" Bart Haton

Tenure: 2017-2020

Jeff Serafin

Tenure: 2004-2008

Joe Tan

Tenure: 1999-2001

Brent Metcalf

Tenure: 1999-2000

Technical Advisors

Matt Greenberg

Tenure: 2017-2020

Odilon "Flash" Camara

Tenure: 2004-2009

Odilon is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu faixa roxa (purple belt) and Brazilian State Champion. He's also grappled competitively in the United States when he's not busy teaching or taking care of his children. Wrestling with Odilon is like grappling with piano wire, he's slight but very tough. In addition to being an accomplished martial artist Odilon completed a doctorate in Economics.

Student Instructors

Jarred "Curly" Meyers

Tenure: 2010-2013

Matt "Love Simian" Sztelle

Tenure: 2006-2008

Joe "Samurai" Zhu

Tenure: 2006-2008

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