INSTRUCTORS
Coach Jamie Rodriguez
Owner & Instructor
B.S. Education
Kids program specialist
women's empowerment advocate
Coach Jamie Rodriguez is the owner and an instructor at Heritage Jiu Jitsu, where she blends professional teaching expertise, personal resilience, and a deep passion for martial arts. With a Bachelor of Science in Education—specializing in Spanish Education and a minor in Piano—Jamie brings a structured, thoughtful, and engaging approach to every class she teaches.
She has been actively training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 5 years and has spent nearly that entire time serving as an instructor. Jamie currently holds a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and is a natural athlete. Her ability to connect with young students, adapt to individual learning styles, and create a positive and structured training environment has made her an indispensable part of Heritage Jiu Jitsu’s youth development system.
As both a coach and business owner, Jamie’s leadership is defined by her warmth, determination, and commitment to community. She stepped into ownership with a bold vision: to cultivate a school where all students—especially children and women—feel safe, supported, and empowered. Her classes are rooted in clear instruction, emotional intelligence, and strong values that transcend the mat.
Whether she’s helping a child build confidence, mentoring a new student, or guiding a parent through their first experience with martial arts, Coach Jamie leads with professionalism, grace, and an unwavering belief in the life-changing power of Jiu-Jitsu
Coach Austin Blanks
Adult/Advanced kids Instructor
Brown Belt
“I started training jiujitsu and MMA in 2012, and I really credit it with teaching me to just keep my head down and work on progressing even if I didn’t get immediate gratification. Most of my friends at this point I know from training and jiujitsu has been a really big part of my life.
I’ve trained at gyms in Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Virginia, and North Carolina since I started. I started at an MMA gym with heavy wrestling so I like to keep a realistic approach to jiujitsu as a martial art (especially for kids classes), but I also appreciate and enjoy the sport specific side of things for competitors.
In my day job I’m a mechanical engineer/designer for a small manufacturing company. For fun when I’m not doing jiujitsu I work on cars or play board games with friends.”
