How Four Rochester Jiu-Jitsu Families Built a Community That Trains Together
Starring
Brennan Strimple earned his BJJ black belt under Professor Eggleston and holds a 3rd degree black belt in Isshin Ryu Karate. His traditional martial arts background informs RPMA's approach to discipline and character development.
Daniel Curran is a City of Rochester firefighter who has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over a decade. Beyond teaching BJJ, he runs Dungeons & Dragons sessions for RPMA's Phoenix Warriors youth program.
George Curran Sr. is a Blue Belt instructor at RPMA, contributing to the multi-generational family atmosphere that defines the academy's culture.
About the Gym
Rochester Phoenix Martial Arts has been serving the Rochester, New York community since 2014. The academy is led by Professor Jason Eggleston (Black Belt, 3rd degree, National Army Combative Champion), Coach Brennan Strimple (BJJ Black Belt and 3rd degree Black Belt in Isshin Ryu Karate), and instructor Daniel Curran (Purple Belt, City of Rochester firefighter with over 10 years of BJJ experience). RPMA specializes in no-gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, and Muay Thai, with a curriculum emphasizing takedowns, control, and practical skill development.
The academy serves students of all ages and skill levels, from youth programs building discipline, confidence, and basic grappling skills to advanced adult training. RPMA runs four families who each bring unique strengths to create a unified mission-driven team. The gym provides free BJJ classes every Friday for military personnel and first responders, and hosts their annual Tap Cancer Out Global Grappling Day, which raised $5,014 in 2024 for cancer research and local families.
Summary
Founded in 2014 by a husband-and-wife team, the academy transformed from traditional karate programming to a no-gi jiu-jitsu focus, led by Black Belt Jason Eggleston (3rd degree, retired Army Combative Champion), Black Belt Brennan Strimple (3rd degree Isshin Ryu Karate), and firefighter Daniel Curran (Purple Belt with over a decade of BJJ experience). The video shows how RPMA prioritizes building confident kids through hands-on grappling rather than chasing competition trophies.
The episode highlights RPMA's community-first approach through their annual Tap Cancer Out event (raising over $5,000 in 2024) and free Friday classes for military and first responders. The team shares how their Phoenix Warriors youth program builds leadership through discipline, kindness, and even Dungeons & Dragons sessions.
