Meet the Instructors
Decades on the mat, in your corner.
Black belts, competitors, and state champions. The people you and your kids train with at The Dojang have spent decades on the mat, and they know how to bring the very beginning within reach.
Maxwell Tucker
Maxwell has been immersed in the martial arts world for over two decades, holding a 5th degree black belt in Karate and a purple belt in BJJ. He began teaching at just 13 years old and has not stopped since, building 23 years of training and 20 years of instruction along the way. A back to back Alabama Karate Champion from 2009 to 2012 and a two time Instructor of the Year, his accolades reflect a career defined by consistency and excellence. Maxwell also holds a BSBA from the University of Central Florida, rounding out a career built on both expertise and education.
- 5th degree Black Belt, Karate
- Purple Belt, BJJ
- 23 years training, 20 years teaching (since age 13)
- Alabama Karate Champion, 2009 to 2012
- Instructor of the Year, 2012 and 2013
- BSBA, University of Central Florida, Class of 2017
Kimberly Ramkishun
Kimberly brings 9 years of martial arts training and teaching experience to The Dojang, holding a 2nd degree black belt in Karate and a blue belt in BJJ. Her athletic foundation started early, competing in ballet through middle and high school before she found her true path in martial arts. She went on to earn her BSBA from the University of Central Florida, balancing academics with her growing dedication to teaching. Today she brings that same discipline and precision to every class she leads at The Dojang.
- 2nd degree Black Belt, Karate
- Blue Belt, BJJ
- 9 years martial arts training and teaching
- BSBA, University of Central Florida, Class of 2017
- Competitive ballet, middle and high school
Todd Chappell
Todd is the black belt who leads Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at The Dojang. A black belt in Jiu Jitsu is not a title you test into quickly. It is a decade or more of training, competing, and learning how to pass all of it on to the next person. Todd coaches the way the best black belts do: patient with the brand new white belt, honest with the competitor chasing their next stripe, and focused on making every student better than they were last week.
- Black Belt, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Lead BJJ Instructor
Jamar Fields
Training in MMA and BJJ since 2018, Jamar competes as an amateur MMA fighter with a 2 and 0 record and holds a purple belt in BJJ. His wrestling roots run deep, with five years on his high school team, a 3rd place state finish, and further experience competing at the college level. Jamar's driving philosophy is simple: life is a constant process of evolving, and he is committed to helping every student do the same, on the mats and beyond.
- Amateur MMA record: 2 and 0
- Purple Belt, BJJ
- 5 years high school wrestling, 3rd place State
- College wrestling experience
- Training since 2018
Japheth Hampton
Japheth's background is rooted in competitive wrestling, where he spent middle school and high school competing at the state level. A five time state placer, he was ranked first in the state for three consecutive years, with a career best finish of second place at the state tournament. That experience shaped his approach to coaching, with an emphasis on discipline, pressure management, and strong fundamentals. Alongside wrestling, he has continued developing his skills through coaching youth martial arts and teaching kids MMA, building confidence, technical understanding, and character in every student he works with.
- 5 time State Placer, wrestling
- Ranked #1 in State, 3 consecutive years
- 2nd Place, State Tournament (career best)
- Youth martial arts and kids MMA instructor
Daniel Hickman
Daniel holds a blue belt in BJJ with 3 years of training and stays active as a competitor with professional aspirations in the sport. Alongside his time on the mats, he is a student at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, working toward a future career as a firefighter. That same drive to serve and protect carries directly into his approach to jiu jitsu and coaching. Daniel brings energy and discipline to every class he is part of at The Dojang.
- Blue Belt, BJJ
- 3 years BJJ experience
- Active competitor, professional aspirations
- Student, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Class of 2028
- Aspiring firefighter
The same standard for every student.
Patient, not soft
We meet you where you are and we still hold the bar high. Encouragement and standards are the whole method here.
Everyone gets seen
Advancement is earned, never handed out, and never based on comparison to another student. Each person's path is their own.
Character first
Discipline, respect, and self control come before any technique. That is what parents notice at home, and what adults carry off the mat.
Come train with them.
The best way to meet the team is on the mat. Your first class is free, for kids and adults alike.
Claim your free class