Our Instructors

Jason Finnell

Jason Finnell has been involved and competing in some sort of martial arts his entire life.  A three time Tennessee State Champion wrestler for McCallie School in Chattanooga TN, and a University of Tennessee Chattanooga wrestler, Jason has been been coached and trained by wrestling and BJJ greats, including University of Iowa Head Coach Terry Brands, McCallie School Head Coach Mike Newman , University of Tennessee Chattanooga Head Coach Heath Eslinger,  Tommy Wales, Master  Renato Tavares, Chattanooga Fight Factory founder Chad Miller, and Professor Shawn Hammonds.

Jason was the 2011 Tennessee State BJJ NO-GI Advanced Division Middle Weight Champion, the 2012 Vero Beach Open Purple Belt Champion, and the 2015 IBJJF Dallas Brown Belt No-Gi runner up, and the 2016 IBJJF Atlanta Brown Belt No-Gi runner up.  Also competing in ultra distance mountain biking, running, & paddling races, he and his team won their division at the 2012 Atomic 30 hour Adventure Race.

Derek Cleary

Derek Cleary has been involved in martial arts his entire life.  He began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Alliance Headquarters in Atlanta Georgia with BJJ legend “Jacare,” in 1996.  Derek loves BJJ and all the benefits he feels it brings to every person who dedicates the time and energy to train.  Derek is also a licensed mixed martial arts judge, and has judged numerous fights and main events for the UFC, Bellator, and other major mixed martial arts promotions.  Derek is a Black Belt under Professor Shawn Hammonds.

Gabe Shupe

Coach Gabe is a fire fighter for the Dalton Fire Department, and a member of the prestigious Georgia Smoke Divers.  He is a BJJ Black Belt under Professor Shawn Hammonds.

Vince Caggiano

Coach Vince Caggiano is one our many black belts at Veritas having studied Jiu Jitsu for 10 years. Vince regularly teaches classes to both adults and kids.

Outside of Veritas works in commercial/industrial construction and focuses on spending quality time with his family.

Why do Jiu Jitsu? “Because it’s the single most beneficial thing I’ve ever done for myself. It’s critical for maintaining my physical and psychological well-being, and it’s attributes; problem solving, self-confidence, ability to defend one’s self, attention to problems at hand, and learning to be comfortable outside our comfort zones, all spill over into every other aspect of our lives.”

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