Coach Nat’s martial arts journey began as a youth doing traditional Tae Kwon Do. After receiving his 2nd Degree Brown Belt at the age of 17, he began studying Sil-Lum Kung Fu under Neil McRitchie (Canada), earning his Black Sash in 1992. He then went on to study other arts including Muay Thai, Jun Fun, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Marital Arts, and ground-fighting, arriving at The Academy and beginning his training under Head Coach Greg Nelson in 1998. Coach Nat has since then competed in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Shooto, traveling internationally and all around the U.S. to do so; he was even featured on the A&E network show, Dreamchasers: I want to be a Muay Thai fighter.

Coach Nat was the reigning the IKF and WKA United States Professional Lightweight Muay Thai Champion from 2005-2014. He is also a certified instructor under Ajarn Chai Sirisute (Thailand). He has faced such opponents as Lumpinee Champion Neungsiam Fairtex and Chinese WBC #1 Contender Li Ning, a bout that was showcased on Chinese national TV live from Las Vegas (Wu Lin Feng). In addition to his accomplishments in Muay Thai, Nat has proved himself a formidable BJJ & MMA contender. In June 2017 he was awarded his Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Pedro Sauer, Coach Nat is a NAGA Midwest, and Submission Hunt Champion, and has earned a number of IBJJF medals.

Having competed for much of his life, Coach Nat now also plays a very active role as an Academy coach, teaching everyone from beginners to pros. Incredibly passionate about his craft, Nat not only inspires his students as a teacher, but as a fellow athlete as well, constantly striving to expand his understanding of martial arts as a whole and continuing to test his skills in competition. In addition to his instruction at The Academy, Coach Nat has assisted in teaching the Modern Army Combatives Level 1 course, in both Texas and Minnesota.

Notable Muay Thai Accomplishments:

• WKA Pro US Muay Thai Lightweight Champion
• IKF MTR US Pro Lightweight Champion
• 1999 IKF/Ringside USA National Tournament MTR Champion

Notable Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Accomplishments:

• IBJJF Asian Open Tokyo Japan 2013 - Silver Medalist PURPLE
• IBJJF Masters & Seniors World Championships 2012 – Gold Medalist – Long Beach CA BLUE
• IBJJF Masters & Seniors World Championships 2012 – Bronze Medalist Open Weight Long Beach CA – US BLUE
• IBJJF International Masters & Seniors Championships 2012 – Silver Medalist – Rio De Janeiro Brazil BLUE
• IBJJF International Masters & Seniors Championships 2012 – Silver Medalist Open Weight – Brazil BLUE
• NAGA Champion BLUE

Other Notable Accomplishments :

• Madtown Throwdown MMA Champion
• Shooto Veteran [Televised in Japan]
• Wu Lin Feng [Televised in China]
• Dreamchasers: I want to be a Muay Thai Fighter [Televised on A&E network]