Black-Belt Coaching.
Real Mat Time.
A private, family-owned Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in Southlake, TX, led by a 3rd-degree black belt under Carlos Machado and Bellator veteran. Two elite instructors. One standard.
- 14-1
- Pro MMA Record
- 2
- Bellator Veterans
To give the people of Southlake a place to get stronger, calmer, and more capable through real Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. We are family-owned and family-oriented. Everyone who walks in is met where they are and taught that hard work pays off, on and off the mat.
“Jiu Jitsu Saved My Life.”
Jason Sampson grew up in tough circumstances. At twelve, he found direction through wrestling, and it set him on a path that changed everything. He went on to become an All-American wrestler, then found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In his own words, Jiu Jitsu saved his life.
The road was not smooth. A spinal fusion at C4 and C5 nearly left him in a wheelchair. He made a full recovery and returned to competition, going on to earn a Pan American championship and a 14-1 record as a Bellator veteran. He holds a 3rd-degree black belt directly under Carlos Machado.
That experience shapes how he coaches. Jason has trained military, law enforcement, and survivors of domestic violence, and he teaches every student the same lesson he lived: hard work pays off, on and off the mat. Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy exists to pass that on.
Built around how kids actually develop.
Every kids program keys in on the four stages of childhood development: Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social. We call it PIES. It is how we structure classes, design drills, and build the relationships that turn a shy four-year-old into a confident kid who walks into school with a quiet sense of who they are.
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P Physical
Coordination, strength, control of the body.
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I Intellectual
Focus, problem-solving, learning how to learn.
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E Emotional
Confidence, self-regulation, handling setbacks.
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S Social
Respect, teamwork, friendship across ages.
3rd-Degree Black Belt under Carlos Machado
Pan American champion, Bellator veteran (14-1), and All-American wrestler.
Jason Sampson
Owner and Head Instructor
Jason Sampson grew up in tough circumstances and found direction through wrestling at twelve. Jiu Jitsu changed the trajectory of his life. After a spinal fusion at C4 and C5 that nearly put him in a wheelchair, he made a full recovery and returned to competition. He is a 3rd-degree black belt under Carlos Machado, a Pan American champion, and a Bellator veteran with a 14-1 record. He has coached military, law enforcement, and survivors of domestic violence, and he teaches every student the same thing: hard work pays off, on and off the mat.
Affiliations & Recognized Membership
Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy is led by nationally certified instructors. We train in alignment with the standards of the organizations below.
You Train Under Black Belts and Bellator Fighters.
Most academies in the area have one credentialed instructor. At Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy, you learn from two professional fighters and black belts every week.
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Neal Ewing
Black Belt, Bellator Fighter
Teaches: Adults and teens
Neal Ewing is a black belt and Bellator fighter who brings elite competition experience to the mat. Training alongside two professional fighters and black belts is a level of coaching most academies in the area cannot offer.
On the Mat and Off.
- Discipline
- Discipline is the practice of doing what is required even when it is inconvenient, until it becomes identity.
- Respect
- Respect is shown before it is taught. Instructors model what they expect from students. It runs in both directions, on the mat and off.
- Effort
- Effort is the standard. Every student is expected to bring their full attention to every class, regardless of skill or time training.
- Growth
- Growth is the purpose of every class. Real progress that is visible, trackable, and earned by the student through consistent work.
What We Are Not.
- Not a Belt Mill.
- Belts here are earned, not handed out on a schedule. A student advances when their technique, attitude, and consistency say they are ready, not when a calendar says so.
- Not a Big-Box Gym.
- We are private and family-owned. You are not a number on a contract. The owner is on the mat, and he knows your name and your goals.
- Not Intimidating to Start.
- You do not need to be in shape, athletic, or experienced. Beginners are welcome in every class, and your first one is free. We meet you where you are.
What Southlake Families Say
Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy holds 218 reviews on Facebook at a 98% recommend rating. These are the words members use when they describe training here.
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Questions About Who We Are and How We Teach.
Who teaches at Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy?
Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy is led by owner and head instructor Jason Sampson, a 3rd-degree black belt under Carlos Machado, a Pan American champion, and a Bellator veteran. He teaches alongside Neal Ewing, a black belt and Bellator fighter. Training under two elite instructors is a level of coaching most academies in the area cannot match.
What do you teach and who is it for?
We teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for kids, teens, and adults. Lil’ Champs is for ages 4 to 7, Jr. Champs is for ages 7 to 13, and Adult BJJ is for ages 14 and up. We also offer private lessons for any age and goal. No experience is required to start.
How is Jason Sampson qualified to teach?
Jason Sampson holds his black belt directly under Carlos Machado. Pan American champion, Bellator veteran (14-1), and All-American wrestler. He has coached military, law enforcement, and survivors of domestic violence. The standard on our mat is the standard he holds himself to.
Is Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy connected to a lineage?
Yes. Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy is a member of the Carlos Machado Jiu Jitsu Association, and Jason Sampson holds his 3rd-degree black belt directly under Carlos Machado.
What is your approach to teaching kids?
Kids are expected to listen, focus, and try. When they meet those expectations, they are recognized. When they fall short, they are coached, not shamed. The confidence and discipline parents notice at home come from a consistent environment where effort is what gets rewarded, on and off the mat.
How do you handle different skill levels in one class?
The technique is the same for everyone, but partners, complexity, and resistance are calibrated per student. Beginners are welcome in every class and instructors meet students at their current level.
Do I need experience or equipment to start?
No. Your first class is a free trial, and it is built for people who have never trained before. Just show up in comfortable clothes. We will cover the rest.
Which areas does Sampson Jiu Jitsu Academy serve?
We train at 280 Commerce Street Suite 175, Southlake, TX 76092 and welcome students from Southlake, Grapevine, Keller, Colleyville, and Roanoke.
You Have Read the Story. Come Train the Standard.
Pick a class time. Show up. Train. See for yourself whether this is the right fit before you commit. No contract, no pressure, no experience needed.
Free for free · · No long-term contract · Walk-ins welcome