About Coach Jay
Head coach and owner of Phantom AZ, Jay McMeel is a 2nd degree black belt with over 30 years of coaching experience across a variety of sports.
He began his personal athletic journey with soccer, boxing, and Muay Thai, adding Jiu-Jitsu in 2007. Over time, Jay transitioned from participant to coach, resulting in 20 years as a youth soccer instructor and 2 years as a high school wrestling coach at Gilbert High. He is extremely passionate and dedicated to his career in developing athletes of all ages and has been a Jiu-Jitsu instructor for the last 10+ years. Additionally, he spent five years in security, where he leveraged his skills in conflict resolution and self-defense, and currently, he collaborates with the Kent Washington Police Department to enhance their Defensive Tactics program.
Coaching Philosophy:
Jay’s coaching philosophy centers on creating a diverse and supportive learning environment that emphasizes self-defense, discipline, and personal growth. Coach Jay believes in a hybrid teaching approach that combines Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling techniques, ensuring that students are well-rounded for both self-defense and competition.
Skills & Expertise:
Jiu-Jitsu Journey and Lineage:
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