Lead Instructor: Jared Hartstein
Jared is a lifelong martial arts practitioner who truly enjoys learning, practicing, and teaching martial arts. He has over 25 years of experience training in various martial arts styles and has competed at high levels in Karate, Muay Thai, and Jiu Jitsu.
Jared has been to Thailand twice to train in the Thai national sport of Muay Thai (Thai Boxing). Jared has also traveled to the Philippines twice and trained martial arts on the island of Cebu. He began learning Doce Pares Eskrima in the Philippines training with Grandmaster Ciriaco “Cacoy” Cañete.
When Jared returned to the United States he continued to train Eskrima at a local martial arts school where he further advanced his knowledge of the filipino weapon-based system. Jared began learning Jiu Jitsu during his childhood and continued to learn the “gentle way” in his later years of high school and college, which included training with members of the Gracie Jiu Jitsu family.
Jared led the freestyle martial arts club at UC Santa Cruz where martial artists on campus were able to come together to share their knowledge and refine their skills together. Once Jared graduated from college he furthered his experience by training with professional MMA and UFC fighters at world-renowned Southern California MMA gyms.
Jared continues to keep his skills sharp by training with high level MMA athletes, but his real passion is teaching martial arts. Jared teaches a unique combination of martial arts that will surely help students improve their health, lifestyle, and self-defense skills.
Students can feel confident that they will be receiving world-class instruction from an accomplished and highly advanced martial artist. Jared is an experienced competitor and has won many Karate tournaments, several kickboxing matches, and Jiu Jitsu tournaments.
Jared began his traditional martial arts training at the age of 5 years old under world-renowned Karate Grandmaster Fumio Demura. Grandmaster Demura was inducted into the martial arts hall of fame most notably for “Karate sensei of the year” and is widely known as being a pioneer of Karate in the United States of America. Grandmaster Demura is also known for teaching Bruce Lee Japanese weapon systems.
Grandmaster Demura was the stunt double for Pat Morita who played Mr. Miyagi in the Karate Kid films. Although the Karate Kid films starred Pat Morita as Mr. Miyagi, it was Fumio Demura that the character Mr. Miyagi was patterned after.
The Karate that Grandmaster Demura teaches is a powerful art of self-defense, but there is tremendous focus on character development as part of his teachings. No matter the style(s) taught and practiced at Strong Roots Martial Arts, Jared intends to honor the teachings of his strong roots from Grandmaster Demura by helping people become empowered, develop character, and have the courage to fight for the greater good.
Jared (Left), Grandmaster Demura (Right)
Instructor: Brandon Hartstein
Brandon is a very experienced and accomplished Mixed Martial Arts fighter and martial arts practitioner. Brandon brings a high-energy and passion for all things martial arts. He enjoys actively competing in martial arts, but enjoys teaching martial arts most of all. He has over 20 years of experience training in various martial arts styles from following his brother’s footsteps.
Brandon’s first competitive fight was against the Junior Muay Thai World Champion when Brandon was only 12 years old. He has also competed in Mixed Martial Arts and countless Jiu Jitsu and Grappling tournaments. Brandon possesses high level grappling skills from his strong high school wrestling background combined with learning Jiu Jitsu for many years. During his later years of high school, Brandon further advanced his knowledge and experience by training at some of the most world-renowned MMA gyms in Southern California.
He continues to grow in his martial arts journey by training with some of the highest level MMA athletes around the world. Brandon’s enthusiasm for teaching martial arts combined with his deep knowledge of MMA helps students to quickly improve their health, lifestyle, and self-defense skills.
Brandon works in the MMA industry with some of the largest combat sports promotions, managers, and fighters. Additionally, if students desire to further their practice more towards competing in MMA, Brandon will ensure that students are given the proper guidance and network to succeed in their path.
While teaching students to compete in MMA isn’t Brandon’s main focus, he may selectively assist students in their progression to Professional MMA with the contingency that students continue to adhere to the principles and values of Strong Roots Martial Arts. Brandon is excited to introduce people to all the benefits that the martial arts lifestyle provides.
Brandon (left), Father (center), Jared (right)