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
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