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JOHN GLOVER

John has trained in Martial Arts starting from age 6.  He has competed in Kickboxing, MMA, Boxing, Wrestling, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions and has accumulated a record of 10-2 in his professional MMA fights.  John holds Black Belts in Jeet Kune Do, Taekwondo, and a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

 

As an instructor and as part of the Emergency Response Team for the Indiana Department of Corrections, John trained correctional officers in the prison system.  As an instructor for the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy, John has also trained officers in physical tactics.

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KARL THERRIAN

Karl started his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey in North West Indiana in 2002.  In 2007, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident.  After surgery and several months of recovery, Karl was cleared to return to the mat.  Karl and his wife moved to Indianapolis in 2008, and he received his Bachelor's Degree in Nursing.  In 2009, Karl earned his Brown Belt.  After hearing about Nick Pollaro from a former police officer, Karl began training at Pollaro's Martial Arts in 2016.  Karl is now a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and also works as a Critical Care Nurse in Indianapolis.

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TRAVIS SIMS

First and foremost, Travis is a proud father of three young men.  He has dedicated his life to his family and his art. Travis has a background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Wrestling, Boxing, and Muay Thai.  He started training at Pollaro's Martial Arts in 2010.  Currently, Travis holds the rank of Black Belt in both JKD and BJJ.  Travis is a Project Manager at Textron Aviation, a profession he has held for over 25 years.

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ROB PRICHARD

Rob is a United States Marine with over 6 years of active service.  While in the Marines, Rob served as Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Black Belt Instructor.   Rob has been a Police Officer and Canine Handler with Plainfield Police Department for over 10 years.  Rob has been working alongside Jocko, his K-9 partner and best friend, for over 5 years.  Rob is currently a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

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DILLON ROBINSON

This space reserved for optional biographical information to be submitted by Dillon Robinson.

BEN RUBIN

Ben started taking Tae Kwon Do in his early teenage years because he wanted to learn how to do the kicks he saw on Power Rangers.  After many years in Tae Kwon Do, he wanted to learn the grappling aspects of martial arts, so he started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  Ben likes BJJ because it has a large mental aspect in terms of understanding how moves...understanding how different moves work and how to counter them.  He also enjoys the ability to spar with larger people without getting hurt.  Ben works as a software engineer at a local Indiana company.

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DEREK DONELSON

As resident Wrestling/Takedown Instructor, Derek brings a wealth of knowledge and experience, both as a competitor and as a coach.  He started wrestling at the age of 10.  Derek won every major tournament for his age group as he was coming up through the ranks, and has been a member of multiple National Teams representing Team Indiana.   

 

Derek graduated from The University of Indianapolis in 2004 with a BS in Communications.  He was a starter on the University of Indianapolis Wrestling Team and won many tournaments while qualifying for the NCAA wrestling championships twice.  Derek is also the former Plainfield High School wrestling coach.

 

Derek represented the United States and the Plainfield Fire Territory at the 2015 World Police and Fire Games, where he won the Bronze Medal, placing 3rd in the world.  As an active competitor, Derek's ultimate goal is to be a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Champion one day.

 

Derek assists with teaching kids classes, where his two boys train regularly.  Derek and his family are residents of Plainfield and he is an active member of his church.  Derek also enjoys staying active outdoors and doing activities with his family.

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With his deep love for being on the mats, Derek's goal is to help everyone training at Pollaro's to become the best version of themselves that they can be, both on and off the mats.


DEREK’S ACCOMPLISHMENTS INCLUDE:

  • 2015 World Police and Fire Games Bronze Medalist

  • Two-Time NCAA National Qualifier

  • Starter for the University of Indianapolis Wrestling Team

  • ISWA State Wrestling Champion

  • ISHAA State Runner-Up

  • Super Ego Tournament Champion

  • NAGA Expert No Gi Champion

  • NAGA Gi Champion

  • Hoosier Open Tournament Champion

  • Grappling Industries Tournament Champion

  • FUJI Indianapolis Open Champion 

  • FUJI Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Indiana State Champion

  • IBJFF Indianapolis Division Champion

  • IBJFF Indianapolis Open Absolute Champion

  • Guerilla Warfare 2 Invitiational Champion

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TOM MOORE

Tom is a veteran of the United States Air Force and has over 33 years of Law Enforcement experience.  He has been an instructor at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy for 18+ years and is currently the Captain of Basic Training.  Tom is an instructor in numerous police disciplines, including Defensive Tactics.  Tom has been training at Pollaro’s Martial Arts since 2012 and also assisted Professor Pollaro with the instructional video, The Arm Wrap Series for Safe Law Enforcement. 

DAVE MEAD

David works in safety for a manufacturing company and found Jiu Jitsu in 2018.  He has been married to his wife for 15 years.  He started Jiu Jitsu with his son Brennan, and after a couple years began assisting with the kids class.  David likes Jiu Jitsu because it’s a challenging game of mental and physical chess.  Every roll presents a different challenge and a new opportunity to learn and grow.

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JASON CORNEWELL

Jason has been married to his wife for 26 years.  He and his wife have two wonderful children.  Like other people, Jason took up martial arts as a form of stress release and physical exercise.  He began seriously studying Filipino Kali.  After 10 years of that art, he began looking at other outlets and took up Jiu-Jitsu in 2019.  Currently, Jason is a purple belt under Nick Pollaro and enjoys working with and coaching new students.

JON STATON

Jon was formerly in the Army National Guard for 6 years. During his time in the Army, Jon served as a medic.  Jon is a police officer for Brownsburg Police Department.  Jon wrestled for 9 years from middle school to college.  Jon is currently a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

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