Philosophy of Training and Combat

To survive and win by any means necessary - By use of weapons, striking and grappling. The core of our system is ground fighting and will continue to be so, as it is the strongest way to mechanically break down your opponent. While we may be able to impose our will toward our opponents on the ground, fights start standing and by surprise. Practitioners of the martial arts train to be honorable and self disciplined, our enemies are not. They will hit us by surprise and in groups, as a lone combatant protecting our friends, family and self..the warriors knowledge of weapons both natural and manufactured are all we have to level the playing field. While a healthy, strong, prepared body is our main instrument of war, it is second to our mind and fighting spirit. All of these natural weapons are honed and tempered through intense physical and mental training on the mat. As iron sharpens iron, one man another...we are only as strong and commited as the camp in which we train. It is our duty to one another to train and push each other further than we as individuals would push ourselves. The focus must be performance based, with proven technique...never theory and assumption. As a camp and individuals we must always be asking the important questions on how to make our moves higher percentage, and our fighting strategies more effective. The instructors, the students and the system must always evolve, while holding steadfast to the fundamentals and principles that make the system effective to begin with. Strength, honor, commitment, loyalty and discipline are the pillars of character that hold this camp together, we must always contribute to one anothers training, progress and success.

Bruce Weiler / ShadowHouse Jiu-Jitsu Lineage

Bruce has been involved in the martial arts since his youth. He really focused on his martial arts training upon entering military service. Recieving black belts in Uechi Ryu Karate, Sho-hei Ryu Karate, Hakusai Ju-Jitsu, Fudoshin Ju-Jitsu and his brown belt in Judo. Trained with olympic level wrestlers and boxers when state side at Ft. Bragg. Represented the U.S. against the Great Britian and Wales national karate teams for the PKC. Opening his first school while stationed at Ft. Bragg and continued teaching and training after returning home here in Indiana, opening ShadowHouse Jiu-Jitsu. Bruce earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2006 from 4th degree black belt Marco Nascimento and has led several dozen students to local, state, national and international jiu-jitsu and MMA competition victories...

Head Instructor, Bruce Weiler, is a first degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Pitbull Gym/Gracie Barra. The academies BJJ lineage - Mitsuyo Maeda - Carlos Gracie Sr.- Carlos Gracie Jr.- Adilson "Bitta" Lima - Marco Nascimento - Bruce Weiler

Acknowledgments

I would like to thank several people in my martial arts journey. My brother Ben Weiler for being the ultimate crash dummy in our youth and allowing me to practice everything I came across to see if it held any weight. To Zac Drury, my Judo/Jiu-Jitsu buddy from across the pond in England. Our time in the U.S. Army and on the mat was most productive. For boxing, Muay Thai and Karate... I would like to thank James "Smokey" West, Josh Collins, "Fitch" and Richard A. Perkins. I will be forever grateful to "Perk" for instructing me on how to actually teach and pass on what I know...RIP friend. To Ray Floro, for taking the mystery out of edged weapon's training and exposing the rest of us to an effective system that can be delivered to the enemy with confidence. There are many people in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community I would like to thank...Allan Stockman, Patrick Grise and Luiz Filho for introducing me to this fine art. To Michael Jen and Allan Mohler for getting my fundementals squared away and exposing me to the business side of BJJ from both sides of the spectrum. My instructor Marco Nascimento for his diligent attention to my training, his selfless friendship and never holding back on giving what he had, without expecting much in return. I take a lot of pride in being your first black belt. Adilson "Bitta" Lima, the master of Gracie Barra/Pitbull, for opening your doors in Brazil to my students and I, for your commitment to all of our growth here in the U.S. To my family (during all the different era's), for supporting me and my obsession over the last two decades. From helping with logistics, moral support, encouragment and yelling your heart out on the sidelines. To all of my students past and present, I appreciate your support, discipline, and friendship...I couldn't ask for a better crew.