Professor Justin Wood is our Lead Instructor and leads the technical portion of every gathering. Felipe Soares and Eric Kelly organize the night, handle check-in and safety logistics, and lead prayer.
The team
Professor Justin Wood, Felipe Soares, and Eric Kelly
We do not publish training credentials, rank, or instructor titles that have not been confirmed in writing. Reach the team at mail@trainmyhandsforwar.com.
Professor Justin Wood
Lead Instructor
Second degree black belt and Judo Shodan who leads instruction on the mat, sets the curriculum for each gathering, and oversees youth safety.
Professor Justin Wood earned his black belt from Professor Alan Shebaro in 2019 and is currently ranked as a second degree black belt under Professor Alex Martins. He is also a Shodan (Judo black belt) under the guidance of Ken Scialo, Ken Patteson, and Russ Hogan, and serves as Jiu Jitsu Youth and Judo Program Director at 3 Embers Grappling Academy. Originally from Amarillo, Justin moved to McKinney after graduating from UNT, and began a lifelong obsession with combat sports while wrestling as a kid. Beyond jiu jitsu he has coached karate, boxing, and judo, holds a black belt in freestyle karate, and has trained extensively in kickboxing and MMA across more than 18 years in martial arts. Justin has a passion for working with kids — his aim is to get every student performing at the highest of their abilities — and outside of coaching the kids class he works with local at-risk youth and families. As Lead Instructor for Train My Hands for War he leads the technical portion of each gathering and holds the safety standard for youth and beginners.
Training timeline
Promotions, stripes, and training periods in chronological order.
2019
Belt promotionBelt promotion
Black belt
Shebaro Jiu Jitsu — McKinney, TX
Coach: Alan Shebaro
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt awarded by Professor Alan Shebaro.
Present
Training period
Second degree black belt
3 Embers Grappling Academy — McKinney, TX
Coach: Alex Martins
Currently ranked second degree black belt; Judo Shodan under Ken Scialo, Ken Patteson, and Russ Hogan. Jiu Jitsu Youth and Judo Program Director.
Notable competition results
2025 Jiu Jitsu Elevate Sub Series (210 lbs) black belt superfight — victory
2024 Nagase Cup brown belt +100 kg — gold
2024 Nagase Cup brown belt -100 kg — gold
2024 Spring Slam Sr. Elite +100 kg — silver
2023 NTX Summer Slam Sr. Elite -100 kg — gold
2022 Presidents Cup M1 81 kg — silver
2022 Becera Judo Challenge Sr. Elite 81 kg — silver
2022 USA Judo National Championships brown belt open weight — gold
2022 Spring Slam M1 90 kg — gold
2022 Spring Slam Sr. Elite 81 kg — gold
2021 USA Judo #1 ranked athlete, Masters 1 -90 kg division
2021 USA Judo Presidents Cup novice 90 kg — bronze
2021 USA Judo Presidents Cup brown belt 90 kg — silver
2021 USA Judo Presidents Cup M1 90 kg — gold
2021 Nagase Cup M1 novice 90 kg — gold
2021 Nagase Cup M1 -90 kg — gold
2021 USA Judo National Championships novice 90 kg — bronze
2020 Grappling Industries Fort Worth masters absolute — gold
Showing photo 1 of 3: Justin Wood in a black gi with his black belt, hands behind his back, standing in front of the mat wall.. Professor Justin Wood — second degree black belt, Judo Shodan.
Jiu Jitsu is THE BIGGEST metaphor for life
Felipe Soares
Organizer and host liaison
Purple belt, husband, and the organizer who coordinates the host academy, mat space, and the run of show each month.
Felipe started training BJJ in 2010 under Keiser Girao at Minotauro BJJ as a white belt. He received his blue belt under Michael Medley at RCJ Machado in The Colony in July 2017, and his purple belt from Allan Shebaro at Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base in September 2023. He currently trains at 3 Embers Grappling Academy in McKinney, TX under Michael Anderson, Justin Wood, Misty McMillan, and James Campbell. His wife, Jeralin Soares, is a blue belt. He serves with MightyMen at Elevate Life Church.
Promotions, stripes, and training periods in chronological order.
2010
Started trainingStarted training
White belt
Minotauro BJJ / Team Minotauro Dallas — Dallas, TX
Coach: Keiser Girao
Started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Keiser Girao.
2010–2016
Training period
White belt
Minotauro BJJ / Team Minotauro Dallas — Dallas, TX
Coach: Keiser Girao
Foundational training period as a white belt. Suffered a right tib-fib fracture during training that required time off, and later took a two-year break to attend Fire Academy.
2017
Belt promotionBelt promotion
Blue belt
RCJ Machado — The Colony, TX
Coach: Michael Medley
Promoted to blue belt in July 2017.
2017–2018
Stripe promotionStripe promotion
Blue belt
RCJ Machado — The Colony, TX
Coach: Michael Medley
Stripe milestone with Jeralin Soares.
2020
Training period
Blue / Purple belt
Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base — McKinney, TX
Coach: Allan Shebaro
Transitioned training to Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base.
2020–2023
Training period
Blue → Purple belt
Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base — McKinney, TX
Coach: Allan Shebaro
Training period leading up to purple belt.
2023
Belt promotionBelt promotion
Purple belt
Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base — McKinney, TX
Coach: Allan Shebaro
Promoted to purple belt in September 2023.
2023
Training period
Purple belt
3 Embers Grappling Academy — McKinney, TX
Coach: Michael Anderson, Justin Wood, Misty McMillan, James Campbell
Transitioned to current home mat at 3 Embers.
2023–present
Training period
Purple belt
3 Embers Grappling Academy — McKinney, TX
Coach: Michael Anderson, Justin Wood, Misty McMillan, James Campbell
Current training family and continued development.
Training photos
Showing photo 1 of 21: Felipe Soares in a white gi with his purple belt newly tied, standing beside Allan Shebaro in a black gi on the mat at Shebaro BJJ in September 2023.. Purple belt promotion — Shebaro BJJ / Texas Combat Base, September 2023.
Eric Kelly
Organizer and check-in lead
Blue belt who trains with both of his sons and runs check-in, waiver verification, and partner pairing on the night.
Eric is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt under the Caveriniha Jiu Jitsu Family (CJJF). He trains alongside his two teenage sons, Gunner and Tucker, who are both active in BJJ competition. At Train My Hands for War he runs check-in, verifies signed waivers and the hygiene checklist, pairs newcomers with experienced partners, and keeps the session's safety standards enforced. He serves with MightyMen at Elevate Life Church.
