Professor Shawn is an active duty military service member who began training and competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and striking in 2010. After winning or placing at numerous adult IBJJF and Jiu Jitsu World League Tournaments, Coach Shawn was awarded his brown belt in 2019 under Master Franjinha Miller and Lance Glynn of Paragon BJJ. In April 2021, Coach Shawn joined KOA Team when military orders sent him from California to northern Virginia. After a successful run at brown belt and winning multiple ibjjf tournmwnts he as awarded his black belt by Professor Grissom in October 2022.

In August 2021, Professor Shawn became a lead instructor for the adult fundamentals classes where the team relies on his broad experience training and competing across the country to further develop KOA’s Adult Jiu Jitsu program.