# Culture Of Jiu-Jitsu / GFTeam > Gaithersburg, United States ## Overview **Name:** Culture Of Jiu-Jitsu / GFTeam **Description:** Culture of Jiu Jitsu Academy is a premier martial arts training facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland, affiliated with the renowned GFTeam. Founded by UFC fighter and elite black belt Max Gimenis alongside co-owner and black belt Eric Philcox, the academy represents the highest standards of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction in the DMV area. As part of GFTeam, one of the most successful competition teams in the world, Culture of Jiu Jitsu brings world-class training to Maryland. The academy's training philosophy emphasizes technical excellence, competition preparation, and building a strong community culture. Students receive instruction in both gi and no-gi grappling, Muay Thai, and MMA, with programs tailored for all ages and skill levels. The gym offers specialized classes including an 8-week beginner program for new students, women's-only classes, and dedicated youth programs (Little Roots for ages 4.5-7 and Big Roots for ages 8-12). The coaching team brings diverse expertise and international competition experience to create a comprehensive training environment. Head instructor Max Gimenis is a black belt under Master Júlio César Pereira who earned his black belt on the podium of the IBJJF World Championship in 2016. The coaching staff includes co-owner Eric Philcox (black belt under Max Gimenis), Márcia Ramos (2nd degree black belt and IBJJF certified referee), Kristian Hernandez (black belt under Jan Basso), Gregory Shepherd (6th degree Taekwondo black belt and former USA WAKO Kickboxing National Team member), Brandon Everhart (purple belt), and Dan Stretz (brown belt). This experienced team provides students with access to world-class instruction across multiple martial arts disciplines. **Status:** Active ## Contact Information **Address:** 220 Girard Street, Suite H Gaithersburg, MD 20877, United States **Phone:** (410) 695-3400 **Email:** cultureofjiujitsu93@gmail.com **Website:** https://www.cultureofjiujitsu.com **Social Media:** - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cultureofjiujitsuacademy/ - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086396673148 ## Hours of Operation - Monday: 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Tuesday: 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Wednesday: 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Thursday: 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Friday: 12:00 PM - 8:30 PM - Saturday: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM - Sunday: 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ## Pricing ## Instructors ### Max Gimenis - Black **Role:** Head Instructor **Bio:** Max Gimenis was born on April 14, 1993, in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil, growing up in Cascadura , a borough in that same city. Gimenis’ interest in martial arts sparked at the age of 10 when he started learning judo. On that same social club where he trained judo, jiu jitsu was also on offer and it didn’t take long for Max to sign up to that as well. The jiu-jitsu classes at the aforementioned social club were led by Herman Santos, a black belt affiliated with GF Team (then UGF). It would be Santos who instilled in Gimenis the desire to pursue a grappling career from very early on. When Gimenis was 14 to 15 years old, his family moved to Guarapari, a coastal town in the state of Espírito Santo (ES). Arriving to ES as a blue belt, Max continued his jiu-jitsu training under the tutelage of Thiago Oliveira at the famous Strike academy, home to the legendary female competitor, Fernanda Mazzelli . After two years in Guarapari, Max Gimenis decided to return to Rio de Janeiro to follow his dream of becoming a professional jiu-jitsu competitor. For that effect he re-joined GF Team, finding at the academy’s headquarters his home – literally, as Max lived inside the gym. Guided by Master Júlio César Pereira , Max Giemenis’ career truly blossomed. His rampant campaigns earned him many important medals and deserving belt promotions by GFT’s leader, who graded Max with his purple, brown and black belts, the latter while on the podium of the IBJJF World Championship, on June 2, 2016. Max Gimenis Final of World Pro Trials Max Gimenis x Daniel Esperança ### Dan Stretz - Brown **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Dan Stretz, born on November 19, 1996, on Long Island, New York, began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2017. He was a Division III collegiate cross country and track athlete but left the team to focus on academics and Jiu-Jitsu. While pursuing Bachelor's and Master's degrees at Salisbury University, he trained under Miles Moffit (black belt under Regis Lebre) and Branden Hudson, progressing to purple belt. In 2024, he received his brown belt from Max Gimenis. ### Eric Philcox - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** A black belt under Max Gimenis, Eric Philcox stepped onto the Jiu Jitsu mats for the first time in 2017. He is the co-founder of Culture of Jiu Jitsu in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Drawing on his entrepreneurial experience, Eric has implemented systems and structures that ensure students receive professional, consistent, and high-level training. ### Gregory Shepherd **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Gregory Shepherd is a 10-year U.S. Army veteran with over 25 years of experience in combat sports. Born into a boxing family, he trained in Taekwondo from age 7, boxing from 12, and scholastic wrestling. He was a USA WAKO Kickboxing National Team Member (2018, 2019), 2018 WAKO Pan American Silver Medalist, and represented Team USA at the 2019 WAKO World Championships. He holds a 6th degree black belt in Taekwondo under Grandmaster Jong Chul Jang and a black belt in Hapkido. ### Kristian Hernandez - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Kristian Omar Hernandez was born on May 30, 1982, in Puerto Rico. He joined the U.S. Army in 2000 and served for ten years, deploying to Iraq in 2003 and 2005. In 2012, he moved to Germany to support the U.S. Department of Defense. While in Germany, he began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013 under Jan Basso (black belt under Leandro Lo) and achieved his black belt in 2020. ### Márcia Ramos - Black **Role:** Instructor **Bio:** Márcia Ramos hails from Macapá, Brazil, and brings over 14 years of dedicated grappling experience. She began in judo before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is a certified referee for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) and is trained in first-aid procedures. She completed a specialized course on Intellectual Disability and its Implications in Inclusive Education. ### Brandon Everhart - Purple **Role:** Assistant **Bio:** Brandon started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2019 after graduating with his Masters in Computer Science from Florida State University. Jiu-jitsu helped him lose over 70lbs. He finds the technical details of Jiu-jitsu fascinating and greatly enjoys teaching. He has been instructing kids and adult classes for several years. ## Programs ### Adult Fundamentals Gi **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Beginner-friendly BJJ program focusing on fundamental techniques with the gi **Classes:** ### Adult NoGi Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Fundamental grappling techniques without the gi, similar to MMA training **Classes:** ### Adult NoGi Intermediate **Skill Level:** Intermediate **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Intermediate level no-gi grappling for experienced practitioners **Classes:** ### 8 Week Beginner Program Gi **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Structured 8-week introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fundamentals **Classes:** ### Woman's Only BJJ Gi **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Women-only Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes in a supportive environment **Classes:** ### Adult Muay Thai Fundamentals **Skill Level:** Beginner **Age Group:** adults **Gi Requirement:** No-Gi **Description:** Fundamental striking techniques and training in Muay Thai **Classes:** ### Little Roots (4.5-7 years) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Youth BJJ program for ages 4.5-7 years, offered in both gi and no-gi **Classes:** ### Big Roots (8-12 years) **Skill Level:** All Levels **Age Group:** kids **Gi Requirement:** Gi required **Description:** Youth BJJ program for ages 8-12 years focusing on technique and character development **Classes:** --- **Last Updated:** March 01, 2026 **Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/maryland/gaithersburg/culture-of-jiu-jitsu-gfteam)