INSTRUCTORS

HOUSTON COTTRELL

Owner/Head Instructor

Houston is a 2018 graduate of Liberty University with a degree in Government/
National Security. He has been training martial arts for over fifteen years. After
receiving his black belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate, Houston began studying Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu. In 2010 Houston met Ryron and Rener Gracie and decided he wanted to
teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. After years of training, Houston opened up Gracie Jiu-Jitsu
Madison in 2014 as the only Gracie University Certified Training Center in
Mississippi. Houston is a purple belt and is certified to teach all the Gracie
University programs including GST Level 1 and 2.

Off the mats, Houston is active in his church, serves as an Ambassador for Madison
the City Chamber of Commerce, and is a member of Business Networking
International (BNI).

JENNIFER WALDRUP

Instructor

Jennifer is a 2003 graduate of Delta State University with a Masters in Education in Health, Physical Education and Recreation. She began training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 2015 and quickly fell in love with the art. After receiving her Pink Belt in 2016, Jennifer followed her passion and attended the Women Empowered Certification program to become an Assistant Women Empowered Instructor. In July 2018 she traveled back to California to become an Instructor in Gracie Combatives and Bullyproof. Jennifer is a Blue Belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu.

When she is not on the mat, Jennifer is busy raising her twin teenage boys and helping with different organizations in the area.

MICHELE COTTRELL

Instructor

Michele is a 1998 graduate of Mississippi College School of Law. She began training Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in 2014. After earning her Blue Belt in 2015, she traveled to California and completed the Instructor Certification Program. Michele loves teaching classes and specializes in the Women Empowered Program.