Meet the Instructor
Coach Justin White has been training in the martial arts for nearly three decades.
Starting as a teen, Coach White studied wrestling and Aikido, and later in college he studied Tae Kwon Do, Judo, and Capoeira. After college, White trained in Mixed Martial Arts with Team Bison (later Ambition MMA) out of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. For four years, he competed as a professional mixed martial artist under world-class coaches like Mike Reilly (Catch Wrestling & MMA), Sergio Cunha (Muay Thai, BJJ & MMA) and Joey and Jake Clark (Greco-Roman Wrestling, Boxing & MMA), eventually taking on assistant coaching duties. Several of White’s teammates competed in Elite XC, StrikeForce, and the UFC.
In 2010, White and his wife (a Veterinarian for the US Army) moved to Fort Leavenworth, KS, where he was integrated into the teaching cadre for the US Army Combatives Program at that location. Over the next three years, White would teach personnel from every branch of the US Military and over ten allied and friendly nations, while also coaching a successful mixed martial arts team that produced multiple amateur champions. During this time, White continued his own training, earning a Black Belt in Japanese Jujitsu as well as multiple certifications in military combatives systems, including becoming one of the only civilians to certify in the Special Operations Combatives Program.
In 2014, White moved to San Diego, CA and spent three years training under world renowned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Baret “The Finisher” Yoshida at The Arena MMA. During this period, White competed extensively in Jiu-jitsu while continuing to training in Muay Thai and MMA under world-class instructors.
In 2016, White’s wife convinced the Army that she needed another doctorate, and the family was moved to Gainesville, FL so she could attend UF. While in Gainesville, White trained and taught at Global MMA Academy (later Mat Life Training Academy) under Jason Dodd through Robert Drysdale’s Zenith Association while continuing to compete in Jiu-jitsu and earning his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in 2019.
In 2019, White’s family moved on military orders to Havre de Grace, MD, where White continued to study BJJ and Muay Thai under 2x World Senior Masters Champion Professor Sergio Pimentel.
In 2022, White’s wife received a medical retirement from the Army, and the family returned to Gainesville to put down roots and raise their two daughters.
Awards & Accomplishments
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, 1st Degree.
Japanese Jujitsu Black Belt, 3rd Dan.
Black Prajiad in Dutch Muay Thai (Ramon Dekkers Lineage).
Modern Army Combatives, Basic & Tactical Instructor (MACP I & II) (Honor Graduate).
Special Operations Combatives Program, Level 1 certification (First civilian to complete).
L.I.N.E.S. Close Combat Course Instructor Certification.
NRA Certified Pistol Instructor & Range Safety Officer.
Alchemy Defense LLC 