Who We Are

The People Behind THEØRY

THEØRY Jiu-Jitsu is a modern no-gi studio built around structure, safety, and real progression. We’re less “traditional dojo,” more “training lab”—with coaches who obsess over making grappling make sense for regular people.

On this page: how we run the room (Method), who leads it (Instructors), and who we learn from (Affiliation).

The THEØRY Method

Structure, safety, and shared growth — not chaos and guesswork.

How We Run the Room

We treat training like a long-term project, not a random workout. Classes follow a repeatable rhythm: warm-up with purpose, targeted concept work, positional training, and live rounds with clear intent.

Instead of “technique of the day,” we build your game around core ideas: base, frames, wedges, levers, alignment, and control. You’ll hear the same language week after week so things click deeper, not just faster.

Everyone in the room is responsible for safety and clarity. We communicate before rounds, check in after, and treat partners like teammates, not disposable bodies.

Structured for Progress

Classes are planned around systems, not YouTube playlists. You’ll see concepts repeat across positions so you can actually connect the dots.

Concept-First Coaching

We ask “what’s happening here?” as often as we show “how to do it.” The goal is to create thinkers who can solve problems mid-roll.

Safety & Control

Leg locks, wrestling, and live rounds are all taught with strict safety standards: controlled mechanics, clear tapping rules, and zero tolerance for reckless behavior.

Instructors

Coaches who care about mechanics, safety, and your long-term growth.

Levi Van Stappen, owner and coach

Levi Van Stappen

Owner & Head Coach • No-Gi / Leg Locks / Concept Systems

Levi built THEØRY as the kind of room he wished existed earlier in his own training: concept-driven, safe, and free of politics. His coaching style blends detailed mechanics with big-picture thinking so students understand why positions work.

  • Focus on modern no-gi, leg lock safety, and positional systems.
  • Emphasis on tap-respect, communication, and injury prevention.
  • Teaches beginners and experienced grapplers how to build a game they trust.
Jordan, wrestling and grappling coach

Jordan

Wrestling Integration • No-Gi Stand-Up & Takedowns

Jordan brings high-level wrestling experience into a format that works for hobbyists and competitors alike. His coaching focuses on safe, efficient entries and control from the first contact.

  • Translates wrestling fundamentals directly into no-gi situations.
  • Prioritizes posture, balance, and smart risk-taking over “just shoot.”
  • Helps students feel comfortable on the feet without fearing injury.

Affiliation

Principles over politics, through Island Top Team & Rob Biernacki.

Concept-Based Lineage

Island Top Team • Rob Biernacki

THEØRY is proudly affiliated with Island Top Team and Rob Biernacki, known for modern, concept-based Jiu-Jitsu. Instead of clinging to tradition for its own sake, this approach asks, “What actually works, and why?”

That influence shows up in how we structure classes, name positions, and talk about the mechanics behind every grip, frame, and wedge.

  • Emphasis on universal principles: alignment, base, posture, structure, and control.
  • Curriculum informed by ongoing research, not frozen in time.
  • A culture where questions are encouraged, not shut down.

In short: you’re connected to a bigger network of modern grappling thinkers, without inheriting the drama or politics that sometimes come with old-school affiliations.

Culture & Expectations

How we treat each other on the mats matters as much as how we train.

How We Train Together

We want you to train for years, not weeks. That means protecting knees, necks, and backs, and being honest about intensity. If someone taps, we let go—immediately.

  • Tap early, tap often, and never be shamed for it.
  • Ask your partner about pace before each round.
  • Leg locks are trained with strict control and clear expectations.
  • No cranking, no surprise twists, no “gotcha” attitude.

How We Show Up

  • No belt worship — respect is earned through behavior, not just color.
  • No hazing, no humiliation, no cult behavior.
  • We help new people feel welcome and safe, not tested.
  • We leave the mats, and each other, better than we found them.

Ready to Experience the Method, Not Just the Moves?

If this sounds like the kind of room you want to learn in, the next step is simple: come feel a week of training for yourself.

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