Here are some testimonials about our academy and our head instructor! Bellingham BJJ won the Downtown Bellingham Partnership‘s 3rd Annual Sceptre Awards as the “People’s Choice” for downtown business. See some of the nice things people said about us in this video.
Here is what legend of jiu-jitsu Felicia Oh — one of the first six women to earn a black belt outside of Brazil — says about Bellingham BJJ:
Your academy is awesome. Just the environment that you guys have here — the beginning class was packed, [and] you have brown belts and black belts out there pushing each other. It’s just a great environment: the people I’ve met here have been great. — Felicia Oh, black belt Pan American champion, Pan American no-gi champion, masters world champion and ADCC silver medalist
Here’s what people of all belt and experience levels say about Jeff Shaw.
Jeff Shaw is truly an enormous positive in the jiu jitsu scene. He not only has the ability to think deeply about the art itself, but also spends considerable energy and time making the overall community a better place. I can’t think of a better person to represent Brazilian Jiu Jitsu! – Andrew Smith, black belt, owner of Revolution BJJ in Richmond, Virginia.
There’s not enough time to say things about Jeff Shaw! He loves Jiu-Jitsu and he loves people. His thoughtfulness, care, and enthusiasm are genuine. When I first met him I actually didn’t know it was possible to be this nice. Not only do you have everything you could ask for personality-wise in a teacher and respectful businessperson, Jeff also delves deeply into all technical aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu knowledge.
He’s a staple in the community, devoted to the basics that will always be most important (in my opinion) and is open to new flashy techniques (if they work!). If we could figure out a way to keep him in North Carolina we would, but since Jeff always wants what makes others happy I suppose we have to afford him the same fairness. You’re lucky to have this opportunity, Bellingham! – Samantha Faulhaber, black belt, Gracie Humaita
I’ve had the pleasure of training in the same city as Jeff Shaw for more than a decade. His passion for all aspects of Brazilian jiu-jitsu is unmatched. He’s also the nicest guy I’ve ever met in this martial art. Jeff trains and teaches everything: his self-defense curriculum is as authentic as it gets! Jeff is also very well-versed on all aspects of sport jiu-jitsu, as he competes whenever his schedule allows. To top it all off, Jeff has a very friendly style that eases any jitters you may have about stepping on the mat. Whatever you’re looking for in your jiu-jitsu journey, you’re sure to find a great vibe at Bellingham BJJ. – Jay Yovanovich, black belt, Pendergrass Academy, FrameWork BJJ
I met Jeff years ago through a common friend, and we became good friends instantly because of our common love for BJJ, for meeting new people, for sharing knowledge and for being open-minded to learning new things. Jeff is a great tournament buddy and we get together to talk about new techniques and how they can be applied to our own games, to teach others, and the best way to do the moves. He is a great competitor, instructor, friend and mostly an amazing human being. – Vicente Junior, fourth degree black belt under Ricardo de la Riva, multiple time Pan American champion gi and no-gi and IBJJF no-gi world champion in masters divisions, IBJJF world championship bronze medalist.
Jeff Shaw is a positive and patient instructor. He is great with advanced students, but what stands out the most to me is his ability to break jiu-jitsu down so that it makes sense to the beginners. It is clear to me that Jeff loves jiu-jitsu and wants his students to love it too. Both with his podcast and his teaching, Jeff stands out as an ambassador for the art, promoting positive experiences and relationships on the mats. – Kim Rice, IBJJF brown belt world champion, Abu Dhabi Combat Club world no-gi silver medalist, IBJJF world champion at blue belt, adult bronze medalist in absolute at IBJJF worlds at brown belt.
I’ve known Jeff Shaw for the past couple years, and he’s radiated nothing but positive energy. He supports local competitors in the Carolinas any chance he gets—be it through sponsorship for prestigious tournaments or promotion on his ever-growing grappling-centered podcast called Dirty White Belt Radio. Jeff comes from a legitimate lineage and an academy with a reputation for being welcoming. I can only imagine he will bring this atmosphere to his own school and continue to contribute to the BJJ community wherever he goes. – Caitlin Huggins, active black belt competitor, silver medalist at 2018 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships.
Jeff Shaw is an excellent leader. He has a genuine love and passion for jiu-jitsu and the people who do jiu-jitsu. He is extremely compassionate, and I’m sure he will carry this to his students.– CJ Murdock, active black belt competitor, Toro Cup winner & former Carolina Fight Promotions MMA champion.
Jeff is a stand up guy. Very loyal to his core, one of people I hold highest in my life and in the jiu-jitsu world! He is very knowledgeable in the art of jiu jitsu and it is a pleasure to call him my friend. He is one of the people I feel was put in my life for a reason. I wish him success in every aspect of his life. – Edwin “Junny” Ocasio, Nogi World Champion, IBJJF Triple Crown Winner (Europeans, Pans, Nogi Worlds), instructor at Unity School of Jiu Jitsu, Kasai Pro trial winner, EBI competitor.
Jeff Shaw is a very worldly jiujiteiro. His skills have been influenced by a wide variety of others, from the famous to the secret jiu jitsu heroes no one has heard of. His open mind has collected him a self-defense mind as well as a sport mind covering all aspects of jiu-jitsu, and he will never quit improving. Jeff Shaw has a passion for jiu-jitsu he will pass on to you! – Josh Murdock, active black belt competitor, Bronze medalist, IBJJF New York Open & Charlotte Open
Jeff Shaw is the type of teacher you wished you had growing up: kind, generous, very patient, and genuinely a fantastic instructor. He teaches to your needs and shows you things you didn’t even know you wanted to learn! He strikes that balance between being very technical and detailed in his instruction and keeping the learning process exciting and interesting, which is especially important as a beginner in this art. Whether you’re 6, 26, or 76, Jeff can connect and bring you into this wonderful world of jiu-jitsu. You won’t regret trying a class. Promise! – Adi Necali, white belt, president of Duke University Jiu-Jitsu Club
Jeff Shaw is an incredible instructor and a wonderful human being. Not only is he extremely knowledgeable and analytical about jiu-jitsu and the community, but he is also excellent at clearly explaining every step for any experience level. He goes above and beyond for every person regardless of their rank or training goals. I would wake up at 5:30 a.m. just to get to the gym to attend a class he taught, even if I had learned the same techniques the night before. And he often spent additional time with me answering my off-the-wall questions or helping me with my very specific training goals. Any chance you get to learn from him, train with him, or just talk to him should be treasured like the gem Jeff Shaw is (pun is completely intentional). – Lindsey Thompson, blue belt
Jeff Shaw is the most generous jiu-jitsu practitioner and training partner I know. He’s generous with his time, knowledge and enthusiasm! Jeff is always eager to share his massive archive of jiu-jitsu information on the mat, online, and any time he learns a new technique. Jeff is literally superhuman in the way he goes above and beyond to be an ambassador of the art, from teaching classes, to hosting seminars taught by world champions, to sharing his love of jiu-jitsu through Dirty White Belt podcast. Also, Jeff is KIND and FUNNY and just an all-around really, really great dude that extends beyond the mat to his career and passion projects! Anyone that gets to call Jeff a friend, or share jiu-jitsu with him is a very, very lucky person. – Chela Tu, purple belt, IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu champion at purple belt, bronze medalist at IBJJF worlds at blue belt
