Martial Arts Gallatin, Tennessee
About Our Instructors
Meet Our INstructors
Professor Sebastian Rodriguez
Jiu Jitsu, No GI Grappling
Professor Sebastian, a southern California native is owner and head black belt of both Checkmat Gallatin and Checkmat Mt Juliet. An active martial artist and amateur wrestler of over 25 years as well as a professional fighter in mixed martial arts (MMA) of over ten years. Professor Sebastian holds the rank of black belt in Jiu Jitsu under Checkmat BJJ 3rd degree black belt Professor Ricardo Pantcho Feliciano (RF BJJ) and has been an active team member of the world renowned Checkmat BJJ founded under Jiu Jitsu legend Leo Vieira since 2009. Professor Sebastian also belongs to the world renowned Team Quest under long time friends and training partners Dan Hendo Henderson and Heath Sims. While also holding a 3rd degree black belt in Japanese Kempo Karate Professor Sebastian is formally trained in American Kickboxing, Muy Thai Kickboxing, Western Boxing and Judo. Certified through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) as a strength and conditioning coach of over 18 years also holds an education in sports science with an emphases in injury prevention and sports performance.
Professor Jason Sams
Jiu Jitsu Fundamentals
Coach Jason Sams is originally from Knoxville, TN and has been practicing martial arts for approximately 8 years now. He first started training at Elite Martial arts in Bellevue, TN. It was there that he first encountered Jiu Jitsu and Grappling. Realizing that he wanted to learn more, decided to move to a Nashville based Jiu Jitsu school where he trained for 4 years. In 2018 he moved to the Gallatin area and met Professor Sebastian and began training at Checkmat Gallatin. Since then has grown tremendously in Jiu Jitsu while also earning his purple belt and becoming an assistant coach in the Jiu Jitsu fundamentals class. Outside of the gym he enjoys traveling, studying military history, miniature war gaming, and spending time with his wife and two dog.
Professor Harris Bowman
Jiu Jitsu, No GI Grappling
Coach Harris Bowman is currently a brown belt and originally from the Bay Area of Northern California. Harris is also a 5 and a half year Marine Corps veteran. During his time in the Marine Corps, Harris specialized in hand to hand combative skills and martial arts. His duties included providing diplomatic security for several presidents and members of their cabinet during their overseas travels. Upon his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, Harris has dedicated himself to the craft of Jiu Jitsu and Grappling. Harris also has experience training in various martial arts including kickboxing and wrestling over the years. He has competed in the cage in several Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) matches. Today Harris trains under the Checkmat Gallatin banner under the guidance of Professor Sebastian Rodriguez. When Harris isn't on the mats, he enjoys bow hunting and spending time with his wife and 2 boys.
Professor Rob Morris
Jiu Jitsu
Originally a southern California native started training at Paragon BJJ working himself up to brown belt under Paragon’s founder Ricardo Franjinha Miller. Professionally, Rob served as a California law enforcement o!cer for thirty two years. During his career, Rob was a combative instructor teaching defensive tactics to thousands of law enforcement o!cers, military personnel, and civilians alike. Rob retired from law enforcement in December 2021 and moved to the Nashville area with his wife Christen and family. In 2023, he joined the Checkmat BJJ family under Professor Sebastian B. Rodriguez training at both Checkmat Mt Juliet and Checkmat Gallatin. Rob continues to serve the law enforcement community and travels throughout the country teaching SWAT tactics to tactical teams and doing use of force expert work. When not traveling he enjoys coaching and sharing his knowledge with the Checkmat BJJ Tennessee crew.
Coach Kyle Eldred
No GI Grappling & Kids Jiu Jitsu
Originally a southern California native that grew up in San Diego which is where I also wrestled in high school. After graduation I joined the Army where I served for 8 years with 1 tour in Afghanistan in 2012. After the Army I moved to the middle Tennessee area to be closer to family. I started Jiu Jitsu in 2021 at Checkmat Gallatin under Professor Sebastian Rodriguez where I've been training consistently and has been a great joy to train at. I've had the pleasure of receiving my blue belt under Professor Sebastian and look forward to my continued growth. I've been given the opportunity to become an assistant coach for the little kids class which has been a great experience. Now my little 5 year old daughter Ruby trains at Checkmat Gallatin and loves it. When I'm not training or coaching I enjoy spending time with my wife and 2 kids riding motorcycles, fishing and movies.
Coach Charles Cook
Jiu Jitsu & Wrestling
Coach Cook was born in Chattanooga Tennessee and has been married for 32 years to his wife, Diane. He has 2 kids and 2 grand kids that occupy all of his free time. He has been a law enforcement officer for 24 years, working for the Wakulla County, Fl. Sheriff’s Office, the Florida Highway Patrol, and is currently an investigator at the Gallatin Police Department. Coach Cook trains at Checkmat Gallatin under Professor Sebastian Rodriguez to maintain a level of fitness and self defense expertise to ensure that he is prepared for whatever may occur during his duties as a police officer. Coach Cook began wrestling in junior high in 1979 and wrestled for the Oregon National team from 1981 through 1985. He was a Junior National All American placing 5 th at the Fargo Nationals in Freestyle and 7 th in Greco Roman wrestling. During his high school career at West Linn High School in Oregon, Coach Cook was a district runner up as a junior, and a district champion as a senior, eventually placing 5 th at the Oregon High School State Championships. Coach Cook then went on to wrestle at the University of Oregon before continuing his love of wrestling by coaching junior high and high school wrestling from 1992 through 2011 in Oregon, New Jersey, Florida and Tennessee. Coach Cook began jiu jitsu at Checkmat Gallatin in 2019 under Professor Sebastian Rodriguez and has won several IBJJF, Fuji and Submission Only tournaments, including 2 gold medals as a blue belt and one silver medal as a purple belt at the IBJJF Nashville Fall Open tournaments. He is the 2022 World Master 5 Blue belt Super Heavyweight gold medalist, and the 2023 World Master 6 Purple belt silver medalist. Coach Cook loves the process of learning and coaching and knows that Checkmat Gallatin will be a big part of the rest of his life.
Coach Brian Ferguson
Kids Jiu Jitsu
Coach Brian Ferguson has been a lifelong student of the martial arts. Starting at the age of 4 Brian holds 2nd Dan Black Belts in both traditional Korean TKD and western kickboxing/American karate. Brian also holds a green belt in Judo, 2nd Red Sash in southern style Shaolin Kung Fu, and trained 2 years in FMA (Filipino Martial arts) All of that before the age of 18. Brian has been an MMA and BJJ fan since the beginning of the UFC (yes he’s old)….. As an adult Brian studied Muay Thai Kickboxing under Rocky Browning and the Suwat Sidthilaw lineage for 6 years where he competed as an amature with a record of 3-0 in Muay Thai, and achieved his instructors certificate through the USMTA (United States Muay Thai Association). Brian and his family have been studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2020 originally under another world class program, but couldn’t be more excited to call Checkmat Gallatin and Professor Sebastian home!! Brian and his wife of 23 years Catie and their son Liam (11) jumped into the BJJ journey as a family over 4 years ago now. They live in Hartsville, TN homeschoolLiam run their own business and do a little homesteading on the side.
Coach Caleb Riker
Jiu Jitsu & No GI Grappling
Coach Caleb Riker, originally from New York state has been resident of Middle Tennessee since 1997. He is a Jiu Jitsu coach at Checkmat Gallatin and has been an active martial artist for over two decades, achieving the rank of 5th degree black belt in the Ernie Reyes World Martial Arts Association. He is also currently a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu under Checkmat BJJ Professor Sebastian B. Rodriguez. Coach Caleb has also taught martial arts for self defense, sports, and performance for 10 years. Here at Checkmat Gallatin coach Caleb focuses on building our students with quality world class training.
Jiu Jitsu
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