Robert Mitchell

Real world self-defense: Murray Guard of Virginia, Sergeant, multi-site supervisor (1984-1985). Armed and unarmed guard certifications.

Coaching: Inner city youth and adult martial arts instructor, YMCA (1990-1994), City of Richmond Recs and Parks (2000-2005), Heritage Self-Defense (2009 to current)

Education/Certification:
* Mark Hatmaker Combat Sports System, Coach (2003 to present)
* Karate College, Christiansburg, VA, four-time graduate (‘03, ‘05, ‘17 and 2019)
* Combat Martial Arts Practitioners Association, Rank of Master (2011)
* International Fitness Association, Certified Fitness Instructor (2009)
* MD Savate Club, Bertrand Debreuil la Canne seminar (2008)
* Gemenier Academy, la Canne Vigny home study DVD program (2008)
* Richmond Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, 6 months BJJ training (2006)
* American Karate Center, 6 months full contact Shootfighting (2005)
* American Independent Karate Instructor's Association, Certified Instructor (1998-2005)
* Dong's Karate School, Black Belt Tae Kwon Do (1989)
* Armed Guard training & Certification (1985)
* University of Virginia, B.A. English (1983)

I have a 35+ year track record of mind-body-spirit transformation through martial arts, honed by working in inner city programs and operating a non-profit since 2009. As my student James said that what he learned from me, "has clearly been accumulated in intensive, extended, and deeply thoughtful study and practice of the martial arts...These exercises have, for me, become the foundation of an evolving spiritual practice." But mind, body, and spirit are one. So it's important to note that my 5-star ebook "The Calisthenics Codex" has been in the top 10 most downloaded Calisthenics books since its publication in 2015.

We will begin with a thorough health, fitness, and goal assessment so that we can design a program that suits your specific needs. Once we know where you are now, and where you're trying to go, we'll dive into the fundamentals, skill cultivation, and fitness.

A typical 1-hr session starts with warm-ups in the form of MBF (martial based low-impact fitness), followed by Mettle Drills (fundamental flow drills), skill development, sparring (as appropriate and needed) and finally, a constitutional (martial-based Calisthenics).