INSTRUCTORS
OPEN SOURCE JIU-JITSU
We believe that an open and collaborative approach is important in creating more well-rounded Jiu-Jitsu and Judo fighters. Therefore, we encourage as well as seek out those who are able and willing to contribute to the creation of better martial artists by teaching. If you’re interested in helping to build a better BJJ or Judo community, please reach out to us!
That being said, there are a handful of familiar faces you will see leading classes at Open Source BJJ.
Check out their bios below!
Bobby McMasters
Instructor + Co-owner
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*Beltchecker Verified BJJ Black Belt*
*Asheville's only IBJJF Certified BJJ Black Belt*
I'm an active competitor both in Judo and BJJ (gi and no-gi). I feel that competing is an important (but not mandatory) part of everyone's journey and I make an effort to compete when my teammates/students compete. It is through active competition that I try and stay current with the various rule sets and techniques as well as develop appropriate approaches and strategies as a coach.
I’ve been very fortunate to have had a very rich and fulfilling “Jiu-Jitsu journey” thus far, with so many different sources of influence and inspiration and rewarding experiences along the way. I’ve been teaching BJJ since 2006, when I was a white belt. I’ve worked professionally as a teacher and counselor for most of my career, and I believe that this has significantly both shaped and complemented my path and place in the greater BJJ community. I have a strong interest in working with strict beginners and am always trying to improve my “teaching game,” just as much as, if not more than, my “Jiu-Jitsu game.”
While you can probably find more detailed information and videos, etc on me by just plugging my name into a search engine, here’s a link to a short documentary on BJJ in Moldova I made way back in the day {watch it here} and here’s probably the nicest thing anybody’s ever written about me {read it here}.
Grappling Career Highlights:
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2004-present: Dozens of competition placings (NAGA, Arnolds, Newbreed, Fight2Win, USA Judo, Grappling Industries, etc.)
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2017: Started “Open Source Jiu-Jitsu”. Asheville, NC
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2011: Started first BJJ tournament series in Moldova (“Burlacu Tri-Duals”, Burlacu, Cahul, Moldova)
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2006: Started first BJJ program in Moldova as a Peace Corps Volunteer
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2004: Began training BJJ with Saulo & Xande Ribeiro, Detroit, MI
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1999-2002: Collegiate wrestling (NJCAA-DIII, NCAA D-II)
Black belt under Rich Sab/BJJ Globetrotters // Beltchecker.com
Shodan (black belt) in Judo // Judochecker.com
Josh Macri
Instructor
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Josh Macri is a BJJ black belt who comes to us from Chapel Hill, NC. He has been training since 2006. His style focuses on fundamentals and careful attention to detail. In addition to Jiu Jitsu he is also a boxing and kickboxing coach with experience dating back to 2012. His other passion is working as a strength and conditioning specialist with 15+ years as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor. Josh offers one on one and group lessons in all of his areas of expertise and generally gets things started with a complimentary consultation. In the consultation he will take an hour to find out what your goals are, where your current skills are, and see if there’s a way he can help you bridge the gap.
Nate Galtieri
Jiu-Jitsu Coach
It is said that everyone has a different BJJ journey, I am no exception. I feel like it started in 1993, my first year wrestling at Rugby middle school, and then continued at West Henderson High School. It was there that I really learned about the importance of the team dynamic and the strong friendships it creates, similar to what I found later in the military. That being said, wrestling also gave me the courage, confidence and sense of self-accountability that comes from competition as an individual alone on the mat.
Though I have worn a lot of different hats professionally throughout the years I have always wanted to return to the mat to compete and coach young people to do the same. Open Source has given me the perfect opportunity to do that. I feel that the life and character lessons that I learned from coaches in general - but especially wrestling coaches - have profoundly shaped me and made me a better person. I think I have always wanted to be a part of shaping both a skill-set and the character of as many young people as I can, including (especially) my own. My two teenage daughters also train at Open Source and actively compete multiple times a year.
I really feel like we are building something here at Open Source that will continue to benefit everyone involved in our BJJ family as well as the community in which live. I can’t wait to see what the future holds.
Milestones:
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2019: Promoted to Blue Belt as the first "home grown" Open Source BJJ Blue Belt • Current competition record 30-6
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2018: Started as coaching assistant for the Kids at Open Source BJJ • 4 more competitions including the 1st alongside my kids
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2017: Started taking class at Open Source and first 2 competitions
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2003: Graduated UNCA with BA in history emphasis in education
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2000: Graduated Georgia Military College with AS in Military Science and Education emphasis Special Ed
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1996: Wrestling Team titles: Part of NC Dual Team Wrestling State Championship team West Henderson • Junior Olympic team Freestyle Camp and Greco Roman Runner up for Strong and Courageous Wrestling •• Individual Titles: Junior Olympics, Greco Roman State Champ and Freestyle Runner up
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1994: Junior Olympic Folk Style State Champ
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1993: Junior Olympics Folk Style State Champ
Michal Tolk
Jiu-Jitsu Coach
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Michal is a blue belt who has been training at Open Source since 2018. While she had been an athlete most of her life, she was struck by how uncoordinated and clumsy jiu jitsu made her feel and fell in love with the endless mental and physical challenge of the sport. She now trains, teaches, and competes regularly, and loves to visit other gyms whenever she travels. With a background in yoga, dance, and personal training, as well as in childcare and trauma-informed facilitation, she brings a mindful, movement and concept-based approach to teaching, and is overjoyed to share her love of jiu-jitsu and the resilience it brings.
Amanda McMasters
Jiu-Jitsu Coach + Co-owner
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If you’ve ever been to our gym, then you’ve probably been greeted by me! I’m the co-owner of Open Source Jiu-Jitsu along with my husband, Bobby. Where he takes care of stuff on the mats, I’m responsible for all the business-y stuff off the mats. I love meeting and getting to know all the folks who train with us - whether they’re trying jiu-jitsu for the very first time or dropping in as a traveling black belt road tripping across the country, all are welcome here.
I truly believe that everyone has something valuable to contribute on the mats. Sometimes they have a totally different way of approaching a jiu-jitsu technique and sometimes they simply have a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
I’m excited to occasionally step into the role of “Coach Amanda” instead of “Boss Lady Amanda,” an opportunity that opened up to me when we started our Women’s Class in 2021. My approach to jiu-jitsu is based strongly in the fundamentals. I started training in 2017, I'm a blue belt, and compete at least two or three times a year.
ASHEVILLE JUDO CLUB
Jeff Tipton
Judo Instructor
Jeff Tipton is a Nidan (2nd degree Judo black belt) who started studying judo in 1993 with the Asheville Judo Club under Sensei Wayne Jersey and later on studying traditional JuJitsu under Sensei Carl Wilcox and Sensei Jeff Rhodes of Center for Martial Arts in Asheville. He was introduce to judo by his father, David Tipton, who had started judo a year earlier and invited him to express his natural talents of subterfuge and being in exactly the wrong place at the right time. Studying judo with his dad for so many years is one of his great honors, defining their relationship and bringing them closer than either thought possible.
Having previously studied at The Southern Academy of Ballet in Tallahassee, Jeff was looking for the next form of physical expression. Judo fit the bill perfectly. The two principles at judo's core being efficiency of effort and benevolence resonated deeply with Jeff. He realized judo is the physical syntax of these ideas, expressing them more fluently than any spoken language can. Now in middle age, Jeff has discovered the joy of watching students grow both on and off the mat.
Zach Hill
Judo Instructor
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Zach has been training Judo since 2002 and currently holds the rank of Shodan (black belt). His instruction style focuses on competition as he’s been an active competitor for his entire Judo career. He placed 4th in Junior Nationals at 13 years old and competed in the first Judo division of Kakuto, placing double gold. He’s a multi-time State Champion in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.
His first Judo coach trained under Sensei Nageyasu Ogasawara at West Point Military Academy. Zach has also helped train US Olympic National Team members and professional MMA fighters. He’s a former wrestler and holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He owned his own dojo for 10 years and was the assistant coach for a middle school wrestling team for two years.