Rodrick W.

Hello, my name is Rodrick Tre' Williams. I am a 20 yr old Columbia native with a long standing passion for martial arts. I started my training at the age of 12 and have been training in several different styles for the past eight years. My first martial arts training class was in kendo sword fighting under the instruction of amateur MMA fighter, Steve Sawyer. Steve became my mentor and under his guidance and training I have achieved black belts in jiu-jitsu and muay thai. To this day I still train under Steve in Jiu-jitsu and Muay-Thai kickboxing. I have also trained in capoiera and karate. From the age of 14-17, I trained at Strong Hold gym, SC Barbell gym and Brickhouse gym. Steve trained amateur MMA fighters at these gyms. I trained with the amateur MMA fighters to build my skills. The trainings consisted of advanced weight lifting, high intensity grappling sessions and kickboxing.

At the age of 15, I began taking over the martial arts classes at North Springs park. I was the lead instructor for 14 kids ages 6-10 and adult classes of 10 people ages 13-17. . Each class was 45mins-1 hour. The class included warm ups (cardio circuit) technique instruction for jiujitsu and muay thai and cool downs including stretching. I taught these classes with Steve assisting with the very young kids. During my time at North Springs park, I initiated new curriculums, class structure changes and the fundamentals of the skills being taught. Whenever the curriculum change was designed, I would test out the new changes for a month with the classes to determine if the desired results were being achieved. Mike Genova of Genova Karate in Pontiac requested Steve to teach an advance martial arts class for his brown and black belts. Steve asked me to assist with these classes. We taught basic jiujitsui and muay thai to those students in two different classes on Saturdays for approximately 2 years. I did this training in addition to participating in 3 years of high school wrestling and 2 years of cross country and track and field at Ridgeview HS. I also accepted an athletic scholarship to run cross country at Coker college.

Steve branched out to his own business in 2013. His school is called Team 1 Martial Arts and Fitness. I am still involved with Steve and his school. I started college in the fall of 2013. While in college at Coker, I contacted the director of Hartsville YMCA. Her name is Teresa Moore. I spoke with Mrs. Moore and proposed the idea of starting a youth martial arts class at the local YMCA. I was granted a 6 week program for ages 6-10. The class was well received and the idea to branch out to the local elementary schools was proposed to me by Mrs. Moore. The idea was to go to the schools as an after school program to expand the teachings and provide easier access for the kids. The program is in the beginning stages.

I hope my experience and knowledge and passion for fitness and the arts will help to aide you in considering me as your coach/instructor.

Awarded black belts in jij-jitsu and muay thai. Awarded scholarship to Coker college in cross country and track and field. I competed at the collegiate level in cross country for 2.5 seasons.

Each session will run 45mins-1 hour. The class will include warm ups (cardio circuit) technique instruction for jiujitsu and muay thai and cool downs including stretching. Kickboxing and basic grappling skills will also be implemented. The overall goal when dealing with younger kids is to promote a sense of confidence and to help incorporate anti-bullying skills.