Commonwealth Jiu-Jitsu
Instructors
At Commonwealth Jiu-Jitsu we are a family, and our school is bound to become our students’ second home. We are a judgment-free zone, where mistakes are viewed as growth opportunities and your instructors and fellow students are your #1 supporters. You’ll learn a lot of impressive skills and gain many new abilities at Commonwealth Jiu-Jitsu, but the most important thing you’ll acquire during your time here? Our community.
Instructors
Here Commonwealth Jiu-Jitsu, our staff is the secret to our student success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!
Co-Founder, Head Competition Coach, Youth Jiu Jitsu Coach
Daniel Leith
Daniel Leith, Commonwealth Co-Founder, began his grappling journey at Holmes middle school where he found and fell in love with the sport of wrestling. He later attended Livonia Stevenson High School. After Wrestling throughout middle school and high school, Dan joined the Untied States Marine Corps in 2005 where he was first introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has been training ever since.
Daniel is one of the fasted growing and most sought after weight management and performance nutritionists in the world. Recent clients include UFC Light Heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier 2 time UFC Heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez and UFC Middleweight champion Luke Rockhold and most recently Grammy nominated recording artist Demi Lovato.
Daniel is a Marine Corps infantry veteran and Bronze Star recipient with Combat “V”. In 2010 Dan was sent to instruct in Quantico VA at the Marine Corps Martial Arts Center of Excellence were he spent his last three years of service teaching hand to hand combat to his fellow Marines. Daniel Received his 4th Degree Black Belt in the Marine Corps martial arts system before being honorably discharged in 2013.
Daniel is an active competitor, and multiple time ibjjf Gold medalist.
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Co-Founder and Competition Coach
Andrew Slackta
Andrew Slackta is a Commonwealth Co-Founder and self-described Jiu-Jitsu fanatic. He found jiu-jitsu in 2013 and has been obsessed with grappling ever since. Andrew spends most of his time studying jiu-jitsu and coaching philosophy, with a personal goal to become one of the greatest coaches in jiu-jitsu.
Andrew is an active competitor and uses his experience from tournaments and competitions to inform the training structure at Commonwealth. He is developing a coaching style and methodology to make jiu-jitsu proficiency cost less time and effort. His sole purpose as a competitor is to test his training methodology at the highest levels available and collect data from those experiences, which will ultimately help Commonwealth students reach their full potential as grapplers.
Andrew has found his way onto the podium at several major IBJJF tournaments at brown belt, he is a multiple-time gold medalist, and is actively working to develop some of the best grapplers in Michigan.
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Head Black Belt
Jason Fischer
About Me:
-Professional Athlete.
-3x MMA (mixed martial arts) World Champion.
-Bellator MMA Veteran.
-Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt.
-Over 20 years Coaching experience
-15 years as a Personal Training.
-Previous N.A.S.M. Certified personal trainer.
-CMU Graduate with a B.A.A. in Recreation and Athletic Coaching.
-I’ve attended multiple seminars and have had training experience with some of the worlds best UFC and Bellator Vets, as well as Wrestling, Muay Thai, Jiu Jitsu and Boxing World Champions.
-Co-founder/owner of one of the most successful mixed martial arts gym in Michigan, 2013-2023
-I have been in the fitness, martial arts and athletics industry most of my life. Along with my experienced competition resume, my passion for teaching and sharing my knowledge in these areas are what I am now focused on at this point of my career. The diversity and methods I offer are challenging, fun and effective, in a safe, clean environment.
Instagram @thejayfish
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Muay Thai Instructor
Jason Meller
Kru Jason Meller has been a practitioner of Muay Thai for over 18 years. Starting his journey with Muay Thai in 2004 with Kru Nick Hewitson and Petchyindee International Kru Jay has been all around the globe training, competing, teaching and continuously learning and sharpening his skills.
In his earlier years Kru Jay has competed in Muay Thai and Kickboxing matches, being part of Team Miles and then ultimately making the move to Team Smandych Muay Thai under the tutalige of professional Muay Thai Champion Kru Trevor Smandych in Calgary Alberta Canada.
In 2010 Kru Jay made the journey to Thailand where he lived there for 7 months immersing himself in the culture learning, training and sharpening his skill with the Thai’s. Taking nothing for granted living and training the way the Thai’s do helped give him gain a deeper understanding of the culture and the lifestyle of a Thai fighter.
In his time with Muay Thai Kru Jay has had the honor to train with such Muay Thai and Kickboxing legends as Rob “The Dutchman” Kamen Ernesto Houst, Kevin Ross and the greatest of all time Ramon “The Diamond” Dekkers R.I.P
With fight experience, a deep understanding of the art and longevity in the sport of Muay Thai Kru Jay is well versed in being able to alter training methods to cater to anyone’s needs. Whether you goal is to get in shape with a new exciting form of exercise, learn a practical form of self defense or would like to compete in the ring True Love Muay Thai can get you there.
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Head of Women's BJJ
Emma Dittmar
Beyond this, Emma is a certified personal trainer under the American Council of Exercise. She is passionate about helping other women and Jiu Jitsu practitioners gain power and resilience through strength training. If you have any questions about our women’s only program or training at Commonwealth in general, she’d love to talk!
Instagram: emmaonthemat
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