Coaches
Conor Heun
10th Planet Denver Head Coach, Conor Heun has over 36 years of grappling experience under his 1st degree black belt. He started in combat sports as a wrestler earning state titles in Freestyle and Greco Roman before competing internationaly. After wrestling at Ithaca College, he moved to L.A. in 2005 and started training No Gi Jiu Jitsu under Eddie Bravo. After a successful MMA career fighting in the IFL, Elite XC, and Strikeforce, Coach Heun returned to Colorado to open 10th Planet Denver, realizing his life long goal of becoming a head coach.
Heather Jo Clark
Head MMA Coach and Manager, Heather Jo Clark spent her life seeking out and training under the best coaches in the world including Greg Jackson, Mike Winklejohn, Robert Follis, and Eddie Bravo. Her technique has proven successful at the highest levels of MMA with fights in Invicta, Bellator, and the UFC. Heather has over 10 years of MMA experience under her 10th Planet Brown Belt and is passionate about sharing her Nogi knowledge with the 10th Planet Denver team. Heather is available for private lessons at $100 per hour.
Conor Heun
10th Planet Denver Head Coach and Owner, Conor Heun has over 40 years of grappling experience under his second degree black belt.
He started in combat sports as a wrestler, earning state titles in Freestyle and Greco Roman before competing internationally in the Tour Du Monde.
After 5 years wrestling at Ithaca College he moved back home and got his first real taste of jiu jitsu training with the fighters at Easton's BJJ in Boulder.
After moving to LA in 2005, Conor found himself at the Bomb Squad Gym on Santa Monica Blvd. It was here that Conor first met master Eddie Bravo and fell in love with the Rubber Guard. Impressed with his work ethic, his toughness, and his flexibility, Eddie encouraged Conor to try his hand at MMA.
Conor won his first pro fight by RNC and never looked back. After 6 years fighting for the the biggest organizations in the world such as the IFL, Elite XC, and Strikeforce he retired with a professional record of 9-5.
In 2018 Conor opened 10th Planet Denver, realizing a lifelong goal of leading his own team.
Conor is available for private lessons at $100 per half hour.
Zane
Stone
Black belt Zane Stone began his exploration into Jiu Jitsu in 2009, when he spent a short time training in the Gi in Australia. After a two year hiatus and a move to San Francisco, he discovered 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu and settled into a steady training schedule.
Zane spent the next 7+ years dedicating his time to training and competing under Denny Prokopos (Eddie Bravo's first Black Belt) where he progressed from white to brown belt.
Zane has had the pleasure of training with some of 10th Planet's and Northern California's most decorated and skilled grapplers, gaining knowledge and technique along the way. Zane was given his 10th Planet Blackbelt by Conor Heun in June of 2022.
After relocating to the Mile High City, Zane was thrilled to find a new home at 10th Planet Denver. You can get a taste of his well-rounded and individualistic approach during his class Wednesday mornings at 6:00am.
Zane is available for private lessons at $100 per hour.
Mike
conigliaro
Mike met Coach Heun playing Street Fighter 2 in 2012. After beating Conor over and over using nearly every character in the game, Conor invited him to the Jiu Jitsu gym hoping to even the score.
Mike barely knew what Jiu Jitsu was when he first stepped onto the mats and although he had no prior martial arts experience, a lifetime of skateboarding had made him tough and resilient. He struggled at first but refused to give up and soon found grappling to be a powerful vehicle for personal development and a community of some of the most inspiring people he ever met.
Having spent time training in both traditional gi based Jiu Jitsu and the 10th Planet Style, Mike brings a very well rounded game to his teaching. These days, Mike jokes about being a “jiu-jitsu evangelist” as he strives to make better people through jiu-jitsu. He helps new practitioners feel comfortable in a sport that can be intimidating and fosters a friendly atmosphere where everyone can feel empowered to become the best version of themself.
Mike is a brown belt and is available for private lessons at $80 per hour.
brian thurow
Brian began his Jiu Jitsu journey in April of 2016 at Katharo Training Center in Littleton, CO. Being in his mid-thirties, having zero martial arts experience, and a laundry list of pre-existing injuries, Brian was more than hesitant to give BJJ a try but he knew that what he had been doing wasn't working either.
Brian was depressed, out of shape, had no routine, and no sense of community. After a long conversation with a good friend who trained, he eventually put his fears aside and put on a white belt. It totally changed his life.
His first four years of training were primarily in the gi, with a heavy emphasis on self-defense and takedowns. After joining the team at 10th Planet Denver Brian was awarded his brown belt in 2023.
Brian's style of jiu-jitsu is based almost purely on fundamentals and basic techniques that anyone can do.
When he's not on the mats, he works as a tattoo artist at his shop, Dedication Tattoo and enjoys life here in Wheat Ridge with his beautiful wife, Demi, and their dog, Rumi.
Aside from training he enjoys fishing, cooking, reading, and a nice hot bath. He's also a newbie freshwater aquarium hobbyist.
If you see Brian at the academy, please come say hello!
Keith
Roop-
Eckart
Keith started his martial arts journey with Aikido in 2005. He dabbled with a variety of styles before falling in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2014.
After receiving his blue belt in 2016, Keith traveled across the midwest and competed in various tournaments before settling down at 10th Planet Denver.
Keith has developed a very dangerous Guillotine and his Kimura game always leads to a sweep or a finish.
Keith was awarded his purple belt from Coach Heun in 2021.
Keith believes guard retention and submission chains form the core of a strong grappling game and is excited to share his knowledge with the 10th Planet community during his Monday morning 6:00am class.
Keith is available for privates at $70 per hour.
adam
davila
Adam Davila started his journey at Northern Illinois University when he joined their Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club in 2014. He was seeking a change in lifestyle and Jiu Jitsu made the most sense to him. It brought him discipline, purpose, and an outlet for his competitive nature.
Despite having to take breaks in training to allow for life events, he never lost his passion and has since become one of the most active competitors at 10th Planet Denver, winning gold in multiple submission only tournaments.
Adam, a 10th Planet purple belt, has been training with 10th Planet Denver since day one and truly relishes the opportunity to share his knowledge as a coach.
You can catch Adam teaching our noon All Levels Classes on Monday Wednesday and Friday.
Adam is available for private lessons at $70 per hour.
Ben
swan
Ben Swan started wrestling in 1989 in Merrill Wisconson for the Junior Jays at the ripe young age of 4. He was a multiple time Wisconson National Team Member in both Greco and Freestyle.
At Merrill High School he was a team leader, voted Team Captain as a Sophmore, Junior, and Senior. He was a four year starter setting the school win record and placing 6th at the State Tournament his Junior year.
In college, Ben wrestled for the University of Dubuque in Iowa at 149lbs and graduated with a degree in Health, Wellness, and Recreation.
After college began his foray into traditional Chinese Medicine. He attended East West Healing Arts Institute where he graduated with a degree in Western Massage and Eastern Medicine.
Ben and Conor became fast friends in 2012 when they were both working at 24 Hour Fitness in Boulder as Personal Trainers.
Conor invited Ben to check out 10th Planet Jiu and the rest is history. Ben dove headfirst into Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts and was awarded a long overdue purple belt in 2022.
Ben is avaiable for one on one sessions in massage, strength training, and grappling at $100 per hour.
Sheila
Davila
Sheila started training in 2016 after her partner convinced her that learning self-defense was a necessary skill. She immediately became enamored with both the physical and cognitive challenge jiu jitsu provided. While she began training in the gi, earning her blue belt in 2019, she enjoyed cross training and was intrigued by 10th Planet's nogi style. She eventually saw the light and decided to train full time at 10th Planet Denver.
Shortly after earning her blue belt, Sheila began her coaching journey as a substitute coach for the women’s class. She soon developed a special interest in helping grow the community of women and helping others achieve their goals. She takes great pride in being able to coach on a regular basis and be a supportive mentor for her team.
In March of 2023, after 4 years with 10th Planet Denver, Sheila was awarded her purple belt.
Outside of Jiu Jitsu, Sheila’s other favorite hobby is to cook and feed people. She and her Husband Adam run The Yuppie Kitchen, providing delicious vegan fare at pop up's around the city and at private events.
Sheila is available for privates at $70 an hour.
crystal
Robertson
Crystal is a yoga teacher and a life long martial artist. In addition to her 10th Planet blue belt she holds a 2nd degree black belt in Karate and a brown belt in Judo.
Crystal worked teaching yoga to the boxers and wrestlers at the Olympic training center. Working with Olympic teams sparked her desire to get back into combat sports after taking some time off.
She began training jiu jitsu in 2018 and got her first taste of the 10th Planet System a year later at 10th Planet West LA.
Crystal fell in love with 10th Planet's style, culture and community and has stayed active on the mats ever since.
When the pandemic hit, she and her spouse moved into a truck camper and dedicated their lives to martial arts, traveling the country with Fight 2 Win, getting the opportunity to compete on the pro stage and train with some of the best Jiu Jitsu players around.
After her time with F2W, Crystal spent almost two years at 10PATX where she earned her blue belt from Curtis Hembroff and Gabe Tuttle.
Now, back in Colorado, she is excited to share her all that she has learned with the 10th Planet Denver team.
If you're interested in working with Crystal for recovery, breathwork or jiu jitsu she charges $80 per hour or $45 per half half hour session.
Shane
Roeschlein
Shane Roeschlein began training in 2017 at North Park Jiu Jitsu in Sand Diego, CA as a way to do something fun and active with his daughter and soon became a coach for the kids team.
Coach Shane holds the rank of purple belt under Michael Cusi and Johnny Tama and trained nogi with Sloan Clymer and Ram Ananda.
After 20 years in San Diego, shane traded the beach for the mountains when he moved back to his hometown with his family in 2021.
At 10th Planet Denver, Shane coaches the all levels class Monday mornings at 6:00am and the kids classes at 4:00pm. When he isn't on the mats he is a published writer and a bass player in the SoCal hard-core punk band, Cabrón.
Shane is available for private lessons at $70 an hour. His email is shane.roeschlein@gmail.com
Ryan
Charlebois
Coach Ryan Charlebois started his combat sports journey in 6th grade when he joined his local wrestling team in upstate New York. He fell in love with the sport and continued to wrestle through high school. His senior year he finished with an impressive 42-4 record but fell short of his goal of winning the state title. It was at this point that he decided to switch his focus to MMA.
He moved to Atlanta, GA and started training at a Renzo Gracie affliate. He progressed quickly and soon earned his blue belt from Paul Creighton.
After an undefeated amateur career in which he won two titles, scored four knockouts and finished at 6-0, he felt it was time to go pro. He also knew that if he wanted to become world champion, he would need to train with world champions.
His search for the best fight camp in the country brought him to Colorado where he joined Elevation Fight Team and linked up with Coach Justin Houghton of Pound 4 Pound Muay Thai.
Soon he was signed to a multi fight deal with the LFA and was well on his way to making his dreams come true.
Coach Ryan is available for private lessons and charges $100 per hour or $60 for 30 minutes. If you would like to take his kick boxing class, but are unable to attend the intro class every Wednesday, please schedule a 30 minute session so he can bring you up to speed.
Jon
Nelson-Griffith
Michelle's coaching career began in 2012 when she realized how much physical training helped with her own mental health and she became determined to share the benefits of fitness with everyone she could.
This pursuit led her to study Mind, Body, and Spirit Optimization at Kion University, earn her personal training certification through NASM, and become a CrossFit certified level 1 coach.
Michelle worked and trained with some of the best MMA fighters in the world at some of the most highly regarded MMA gyms on the West Coast before finding her way to 10th Planet Denver in the summer of 2022.
Her experience coaching and training with elite fighters has given her a keen insight into the specific type of strength and conditioning needed for mixed martial arts.
As an athlete, Michelle is a record holding elite ranked powerlifter and has been training Kickboxing, Wrestling and Jiu Jitsu for almost 5 years.
Michelle’s true passion is to not only explore the depths of her own power, but to assist people in finding that power within themselves.
Outside of the gym, Michelle loves traveling, spending time in nature and hanging out with her dogs, ducks and chickens!
Michelle is available for personal training at $85 per session.
Tim
Mohatt
Tim Mohatt is a NASM certified personal trainer with a passion for helping others achieve their fitness goals. With over 5 years of experience in the fitness industry, Tim has developed a reputation as a skilled and knowledgeable trainer who places as strong emphasis on sustainable fitness habits.
A firm believer in the power of positive thinking and a can-do attitude, he motivates his clients to push past their limits and reach their full potential, both in the gym and in their daily lives.
Tim discovered Jiu Jitsu when he attended UFC 1 in 1993. His friends all put their money together to buy the Rorion Gracie VHS set and started grappling with eachother the next day. Tim trained in the gi for about 10 years and got his blue belt from Royce Gracie in 2005.
Tim started in the 10th Planet System in 2013 when he moved to Boulder training with Conor Heun and Drew Ash at 10th Planet Boulder. Tim has trained at over 10 different 10th Planet Moons and loves the diversity that comes from all the different moon heads.
Tim is available for personal training sessions at $50/hr and has tremendous results with body recomposition and behavior change.
Hannah
Mitchell
Hannah is a lifelong athlete who grew up playing sports. Despite trying Soccer, Lacrosse, Water Polo, and Ultimate Frisbee, Hannah never found an activity that really held her interest until she tried rock climbing.
After moving to Colorado, Hannah was seeking a new community and finally took her Husband Scott’s advice to try Jiu Jitsu. Preferring Nogi, Scott told her to check out 10th Planet. When Hannah saw that 10th Planet Denver had women’s only classes, she forced herself to try it and immediately fell in love.
Jiu Jitsu had the same physical and mental problem solving that she liked so much about rock climbing but on the mats, it was like the rock was trying to climb you back.
Obsessed with this new game, she made a commitment to herself to attend all the women’s class and progressed quickly. Her skills were recognized in January of 2022 when she was awarded her blue belt.
You can take Hannah’s class every Tuesday night at 6:00pm.
Jake
Smith
Jake began training jiu jitsu at 10th Planet Denver in December of 2019.
Growing up playing football, basketball, and running track, Jake had always been athletic but once he discovered that Jiu Jitsu relies solely on the work of one’s self he truly fell in love with martial arts.
After receiving his blue belt from Conor in 2022, Jake seized the opportunity to make Jiu Jitsu a bigger part of his life when he accepted a position managing and coaching at Gracie Barra Denver. It was here that he developed his teaching style and built their kids program.
When the opportunity presented itself to build the Kids program at 10th Planet Denver, Jake jumped at the chance.
Jake trains several times a day in both Gi and No-Gi Jiu Jitsu, seeking out all the best coaches in the area to expand his skills. He is an avid competitor on the local scene and relishes the opportunity to lead this next generation of Little warriors into the frey.
Brian
Lipset
A life long combat athlete, Brian started grappling as a young wrestler. He earned multiple all-state honors in high school and was a state finalist his senior year. He had been exposed to MMA through a coach, Josh Burkman, who was having success in the UFC at the time. With that example, Brian’s focus shifted to adding striking and submissions to his game and he was able to accumulate an amateur MMA record of 2-0 and a professional record of 3-0, all by way of first round finish. Ultimately, the demands of training and competing in MMA were not sustainable and Brian moved on to other pursuits away from combat sports. BJJ struck the right balance and in 2016 Brian started on his jiu jitsu journey. He would eventually earn his Purple Belt under Caio Terra Black Belt Ranulfo “Gonzo” Gonzalez before his passion for the No-Gi game led him to Conor and the 10th Planet Denver team where he was awarded his Brown Belt in January, 2023. Brian strives to perform common techniques uncommonly well and enjoys helping spread the art that has been so impactful on his life.
Off the mats, Brian is a financial advisor and the founder of OakwayFinancial.com. He enjoys applying principles learned in training to his work and life outside the gym and truly believes jiu jitsu can help people become the best versions of themselves.
Zachary
Maes
Zachary Maes is a Judo black belt and has been studying Judo since he was 8 years old.
At just 18 years old he won first place in both men's Judo 55 kilos and 60 kilos as well the 119 lbs. wrestling state games championship.
Once USA Judo dropped the 55 kilo weight class Zach decided to focus on wrestling and joined the team at the University of Northern Colorado.
After College he began training under Sheldon Marr at Edge MMA before joining the team at 10th Planet Denver.
Zachary is proud to have a year of sobriety under his belt and now works as an addiction counselor in addition to his time spent coaching the team at 10th Planet Denver.
If you are struggling with substance abuse issues Zach is a great resorce to assist you on your path to sobriety.
He is available for private lessons at $100 an hour.
ali
akalin
Ali Akalin is from Turkey and he has lived and studied in Thailand and The Netherlands. He was introduced to boxing in highschool, and later resumed his training in 2011 at Trevor Wittman’s Grudge Training Center.
While at Grudge, Ali was introduced to wrestling (initially with coach James Fleming), and was later introduced to the 10th Planet system of Jiu-jitsu (through coach Drew Ash). In 2016, following the closure of Grudge Training Center, he joined Genesis Training Academy where he continued to work on his Boxing and grappling. It was at Genesis that Ali first met Conor Heun and Heather Jo Clark, and decided to resume training in the 10th Planet system.
Coach Ali was awarded his purple belt by Coach Conor Heun in 2023.
Ali can be found helping out with the kids classes on Saturday mornings, working with new students in the fundamentals classes and now teaching boxing fundamentals on Sundays at 9:00am.
Jorge
Martinez
Zachary Maes is a Judo black belt and has been studying Judo since he was 8 years old.
At just 18 years old he won first place in both men's Judo 55 kilos and 60 kilos as well the 119 lbs. wrestling state games championship.
Once USA Judo dropped the 55 kilo weight class Zach decided to focus on wrestling and joined the team at the University of Northern Colorado.
After College he began training under Sheldon Marr at Edge MMA before joining the team at 10th Planet Denver.
Zachary is proud to have a year of sobriety under his belt and now works as an addiction counselor in addition to his time spent coaching the team at 10th Planet Denver.
If you are struggling with substance abuse issues Zach is a great resorce to assist you on your path to sobriety.
He is available for private lessons at $100 an hour.
Joey
Manchego
Joey met Coach Conor while working at 24 Hour Fitness in 2016. During their time working together they loved to push each other and other members of their team in challenging workouts. Joey found motivation from Conor not only from his tenacity during grueling workouts, but also in his work ethic as a Fitness Manager.
They stayed in touch throughout the years and in 2021 Joey finally decided to join 10th Planet Denver and soon found a new appreciation for the martial art. Joey was awarded his blue belt in 2023 and is looking forward to improving his skills while teaching Saturday Kid's class with Coach Ali.
Joey has a background in many sports, starting with Tae kwon Do at the age of 4 and participating in competitive soccer, basketball, baseball, track and football. Building comradery in sports is one of the aspects of sports that Joey enjoys the most.
Having kids of his own, Joey knows how impactful it is for kids to have multiple positive adult influences. Joey's goal is to help kids gain self-confidence and the skill to make the right decision during challenging times.
andrew
cox
Andrew started training jiu jitsu in 2020 after hearing several people talk about how awesome jiu jitsu was. Although it took him several years to muster enough courage to get on the mats for the first time, he hasn’t looked back since he took that first step.
Andrew favors a defensive style and enjoys using unorthodox positions and submissions to trap and suprise his opponents. Andrew earned his blue belt in April of 2022 and now helps coach the kids class on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Off the mats, Andrew enjoys spending time with his beautiful wife and five children.
Brock
McKenna
When Brock moved to Colorado in early 2018 from his home in Florida he was looking for a new hobby besides weightlifting and pickup basketball.
Growing up in Florida, Brock always wanted to train at a 10th Planet Acdemy but there wasnt a school close enough to his home to make it worth while.
Shortly after arriving in Denver, Brock saw a post on instagram that 10th Planet Denver was opening in November 2018 so he made up his mind to give it a shot.
He showed up at our original location and has been training at 10th Planet Denver ever since.
Brock was awarded his blue belt by Coach Conor Heun in November 2020 and his purple belt in September of 2023.
When he's not training or working he's at home chasing his two little ones around.
mars
brassell
Zachary Maes is a Judo black belt and has been studying Judo since he was 8 years old.
At just 18 years old he won first place in both men's Judo 55 kilos and 60 kilos as well the 119 lbs. wrestling state games championship.
Once USA Judo dropped the 55 kilo weight class Zach decided to focus on wrestling and joined the team at the University of Northern Colorado.
After College he began training under Sheldon Marr at Edge MMA before joining the team at 10th Planet Denver.
Zachary is proud to have a year of sobriety under his belt and now works as an addiction counselor in addition to his time spent coaching the team at 10th Planet Denver.
If you are struggling with substance abuse issues Zach is a great resorce to assist you on your path to sobriety.
He is available for private lessons at $100 an hour.
Are you
next?
At 10th Planet Denver we are always looking for our next world class coach. Are you a black belt looking to learn the 10th Planet System?
Are you a current student looking to share your passion for Jiu Jitsu with the next generation?
Are you a movement coach, strength coach, striking coach, dance instructor, yoga teacher or have some other skill you think would be benificial to the 10th Planet Denver Community?
If so, please send us an email at 10thplanetdenver@gmail.com
and lets get the conversation started.
