Coach Andy started training in Muay Thai, Jun Fan Martial Arts and Filipino Kali while still at age 17. This early training inspired him to dedicate his life to martial arts training and in 1992, he joined the Academy MN. In 1994, under Coach Greg Nelson’s guidance, he began teaching Muay Thai. He has been teaching BJJ regularly since 2012. Coach Andy has competed in Muay Thai, Judo, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Coach Andy has spent many years coaching The Academy Muay Thai Team Singpraveah, including being the pad trainer for both ISKA Champion James ‘The Professor’ Cook and WKA/IKF Lightweight National Champion Nat McIntyre. Having trained at numerous camps all over Thailand, including Sityodtong, Kaewsamrit, Sitpholek, Lanna, and Tiger Muay Thai, Coach Andy speaks conversational Thai and is a certified TBA Kru, under both Ajarn Chai Sirisute (Thailand) & Academy Head Coach Greg Nelson (USA). He was promoted to Jiu Jitsu Black Belt May 16th 2015 directly by Master Pedro Sauer. Coach Andy has been a MPLS parks volunteer wrestling coach. He earned his Judo Black Belt in 2022.
In addition to his martial arts experience, Coach Andy also earned a Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. Truly passionate about teaching beginners and seeing his students make great strides towards achieving their goals in martial arts as well as in life, he has taught and coached housewives, fathers/sons, CEO’s, executives, MMA fighters, and military/law enforcement officials. Coach Andy has taught locally and internationally, and is available for seminars and private lessons. In 2024 he contributed to a peer reviewed academic paper entitled "Applying an Ecological Dynamics Approach to Mixed Martial Arts" in the journal Sports Coaching review with Tyler Yearby, Shawn Myszka, Scott Sievewright and Adam Singer. He is part of a emerging global group of coaches who hope to infuse the science of motor learning and skill acquisition with martial arts training.
BJJ Competition Highlights:
• 2013 IBJJF Asian Open Jiu-Jitsu Championships Silver Medalist (Tokyo) BROWN
• 2013 IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Championships Silver Medalist (Irvine CA) BROWN
• 2011 IBJJF World No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championships Bronze Medalist (Irvine CA) PURPLE
• 2011 IBJJF Pan No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu Championships Gold Medalist (New York, NY) PURPLE
• 2011 IBJJF Brazil Masters & Seniors Jiu-Jitsu Championships Silver Medalist (RDJ, Brazil) PURPLE
• 2011 IBJJF European Open Jiu-Jitsu Championships Silver Medalist (Lisbon, Portugal) PURPLE
• 2010 USBJJF American National Jiu-Jitsu Championships Gold Medalist (Los Angeles, CA) PURPLE
• 2010 IBJJF Chicago International Open Jiu-Jitsu Championships Bronze Medalist (Chicago IL) PURPLE
• 2010 IBJJF Chicago International Open Jiu-Jitsu Championships Gold Medalist (Chicago IL) PURPLE
• 2010 IBJJF Pan American Jiu-Jitsu Championships Silver Medalist (Irvine CA) BLUE
• 2010 MN Kali Group Open 2nd Place Absolute Gi BLUE
• 2010 MN Kali Group Open 1st Place BLUE
• NAGA Milwaukee 2009 No Gi 1st Place BLUE
• NAGA Milwaukee 2009 Gi 1st Place BLUE
• 2009 MN Kali Group Open 3rd Place Absolute Gi BLUE
• 2009 MN Kali Group Open 1st Place BLUE
• NAGA Milwaukee 2007 No-Gi 3rd Place BLUE
• NAGA Milwaukee 2007 Gi 2nd Place BLUE
• NAGA Chicago 2004 4th Place BLUE
• Greater Midwest Submission Hunt 2003 Champion WHITE
