Instructors

Justin Dodge
Justin Dodge
Justin Dodge is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with over 30 years of training experience. He owned and operated his own gym before COVID-19 forced its closure, but his passion for the sport and its values never faded. Through years on the mat, he’s learned firsthand what it means to push through challenges, adapt, and keep moving forward—principles that fuel everything he does.
Beyond martial arts, Justin served as a Denver SWAT officer, where he faced high-stakes situations that demanded discipline, mental toughness, and quick decision-making. His years in law enforcement reinforced his belief in resilience, accountability, and never backing down from a challenge.
That mindset was put to the ultimate test when he was in a devastating accident at a Denver Nuggets championship parade, where a fire truck ran over his leg, resulting in an amputation. Instead of letting it define him, Justin faced the situation head-on, refusing to back down. His recovery has been a testament to the same grit and resilience he’s preached for years.
Now, as the founder of Heavy Victory, LLC, Justin is focused on building more than just a brand; he’s creating a mindset. He wants people to experience Heavy Victory through his words, his motivational posts, and the way they approach their own challenges. He keeps things real, values direct communication, and expects the same energy from those around him.
At the end of the day, Justin’s mission is simple: to help others embrace the fight, own their victories, and keep pushing forward—on and off the mat.
Chad Lyman
Chad Lyman is a 3rd Degree Black Belt and the
Creator of C4C PJJ, one of the worlds most comprehensive police training systems.
As a 20+ year Police Officer, Chad has experienced first-hand the rapidly evolving demands and challenges that Law Enforcement Officers (LEOs) & Agencies face today. As Agencies invest in various advancements in technology to keep pace with these changes, many have yet to advance their Defensive Tactics (DT) Training, still utilizing outdated and ineffective methods, resulting in increased risk to Officers, agencies, and the communities they serve. From this need for Ongoing and Modernized training C4C PJJ (Police Jiu-Jitsu) was born.


Rob Magao
Rob Magao is a 3rd Degree Blackbelt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Master Pedro Sauer. Rob is the founder, owner and head instructor of Bushido BJJ, with academies in both Manchester and Hebron, Connecticut. Rob began teaching cops Jiu-Jitsu in the late 1990’s and has helped introduce officers from around the country and internationally to the idea of grappling based DT training for over 20 years. He is also the founder and head instructor of the Officer Survival Series: De-Escalation Through Confidence Use of Force Program, which is considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive police use of force programs in existence.
With over 25 years of law enforcement experience, Rob has worked in various units to include; patrol, SRO, conservation law-enforcement, street crimes, narcotics, internal affairs, and as a detective investigating serious crimes. Rob also served 18 years on SWAT and is one of the founders of the CT SWAT Challenge. Rob is also the host of The Code Podcast and is an avid competitor on the grappling competition circuit.
Dan Simmler
Dan Simmler is a Patrolman with the Grafton Police Department in Grafton, MA and a 4th degree black belt under Serra BJJ.
Dan has a tremendous amount of grappling competition experience. He is a 2x Police/Fire Games Gold Medalist and 2x Silver Medalist; IBJJF NoGi Pan Gold Medalist at brown belt; Gi Pan Silver Medalist at brown belt; NoGi Pan Silver Medalist at black belt; Abu Dhabi Pro Trial Champion at black belt; 50x+ NAGA Expert/Advanced Champion; 4x TCO Gold Medalist at black belt. In 2019 alone, Dan competed in 23 events, 43 divisions, and over 100 matches.
Dan is the head BJJ Coach at Abusado Team/ Worcester MMA in Worcester, MA. He is a Massachusetts State Instructor for ground defense, defensive tactics, firearms, and red dot. Dan is also a Force Science De-Escalation Instructor and teaches Constitutional Law at Hillsdale College
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Paul Taylor, PhD
Dr. Paul Taylor is purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and the primary point of contact for the Police Grappling Summit.
Paul is a law enforcement researcher, instructor, and consultant who studies decision-making, human factors, and system safety in the context of police interactions with the public. Paul has over ten years of practical law enforcement experience including time as a department training manager, patrol sergeant, and use-of-force instructor. He has developed and delivered law enforcement related instruction for academy, field training, and advanced in-service audiences as well as graduate and undergraduate level courses. Paul is actively engaged in law enforcement research, training, and consulting across the United States and regularly presents at both academic and practitioner conferences.
