LAKEWOOD JIU JITSU (BJJ)
INSTRUCTOR JIM MEDLEY
Professor Jim Medley has been teaching jiu jitsu and police restarint techniques for over 30 years. He has studied Japanese jūjitsu since the 1980s, and for the past 15 years he has studied Gracie Jiu Jitsu. He is a Gracie jiu jitsu black belt and certified instructor under Gracie University.
1990 Medley demonstrating traditional jujitsu
In 1990 Medley earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Justice & Public Safety at Auburn University, graduating magna cum laude. In 1991 he graduated valedictorian from his police academy class and became a police patrol officer. That same year he was promoted to 2nd degree black belt in Japanese jūjutsu. While working in law enforcement, Medley instructed police officers in control and restraint techniques and handcuffing. He was certified as a defensive tactics instructor in the PPCT (Pressure Point Control Tactics) System and certified as a police self-defensive tactics instructor by the Texas Department of Public Safety.
2002 Medley teaching a college law enforcement class
In 1996 Jim earned a Master of Education (M.Ed.) degree in Training Education and a Master of Science (M.S.) in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University. He taught as a Professor of Criminal Justice for seven years, teaching college courses in Criminal Law, Criminology, and Use of Force to students training to be police officers. Medley also has experience teaching in a university based police academy.
In 2006 Professor Medley began studying Kinesiology at the University of Texas graduate school. Kinesiology is the scientific study of human body movement. Medley completed 30 graduate hours of masters study in: Body Mechanics, Muscle Physiology, Sport Psychology, Nutrition, and more. This coursework helped put science behind much of what Medley already knew through the practice of jūjutsu. He completed all of the coursework for a Master of Science degree, but did not complete a thesis research paper in order to graduate from UT.
Yuki Nakai, Tokyo, Japan
Jim Medley has had the honor to travel to Japan on two different occasions. He has trained jiu jitsu in Tokyo in private lessons with Master Yuki Nakai. Sensei Medley holds a 4th degree black belt (yodan) in Japanese jūjutsu under the United States Judo Association Jujitsu Division.
In 2009 Medley began studying Gracie/ Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ) to broaden his self-defense skills. He quickly learned to appreciate the strategic advantages of using the ground as an ally in defeating larger, stronger opponents. During these last 15 years of BJJ study, he has had the privilege of training under a number of world famous instructors, including: Ricardo De La Riva, Royce Gracie, and Ryron and Rener Gracie.
2014 Ryron and Rener Gracie
In 2014 Jim Medley first trained with Grandmaster Hélio Gracie's grandsons, Ryron and Rener Gracie. He then began training under the Gracie Academy jiu jitsu curriculum. This program was rebranded Gracie University in 2017, and is the only structured jiu jitsu curriculum of its kind in the world.
2021 Royce Gracie
While training in the Gracie University program, Medley was also training in Brazilian BJJ under Royce Gracie (Hélio Gracie's youngest son). Royce teaches a Gracie BJJ jiu jitsu self-defense system very similar to the system taught at Gracie University. Both systems are closely based on the techniques taught by Hélio Gracie as depicted in his famous textbook for self-defense.
2023 Rener and Ryron Gracie
Professor Medley earned his black belt in Gracie jiu jitsu from Gracie University. He continues to learn how to apply jiu jitsu principles into his life in areas beyond fighting and self defense. He is also learning more about how to teach self-defense to groups with unique needs - women, teens, police officers, and older adults.
In addition to formal martial arts credentials, Jim Medley is also a life-time certified Self Defense Instructor by the American Sports & Fitness Association (ASFA).
Professor Medley does not teach jiu jitsu from merely a theoretical perspective. He has USED jiu jitsu in his jobs and in grappling competitions. As outlined above, he was a police patrol officer and had several occasions to use jiu jitsu in making arrests and in self-defense.
While in transition from law enforcement to becoming an attorney in the late 1990s, Medley worked as a security bouncer in a dangerous Houston, Texas nightclub. In this environment he was presented with multiple situations to rely on leverage, takedowns, and joint locks to manage aggressive and intoxicated people.
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While studying Brazilian jiu jitsu, Medley participated in multiple BJJ competitions in order to get experience applying jiu jitsu principles under the stress of attacks from skilled opponents.
Jiu Jitsu in Real Life
Sport competitions are not encouraged for beginners at LJJA, but competitions do have some value in preparing an experienced student for the anxiety and aggression of real self-defense.
Expert in Self-Defense/ Use of Force Law
Jim Medley holds a Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the University of Houston Law School. He has been an attorney for over 20 years and is licensed to practice law in Colorado and in Texas. Professor Medley has focused his practice on criminal law and has represented many clients in use of force situations. He has carefully researched legal aspects of self defense and case law applicable to self defense and police restraint techniques for many years.
