• Spend five minutes discussing jiu jitsu with Roy Marsh and you will immediately realize that he is a student of the game.  Roy has dedicated his life to understanding the underlying concepts of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a way that only a handful of people can appreciate.  It is a pleasure to train with him every single time.

- Andrew “Goatfury” Smith:  Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Black Belt;  Multiple Pan-Am Champion; Owner, USGrappling.

• My name is Brian Sullivan and my professional background is that of a retired Airborne/Ranger qualified Special Forces Operator.  I am currently employed as a state law enforcement officer serving on a Special Response Team (SRT).  I am a First Degree Black Belt in the Filipino Martial Art of Kun Tao and I am or was (I haven’t checked the websites in over a year) a nationally-ranked strength athlete with American and North Carolina records in the bench press with the AAU and RAW powerlifting.  Over the past thirty-five years, I have maintained an involvement in the martial arts, my base style being, of course, Kun Tao but touching upon, at different points, Tae Kwon Do, Ninjitsu, Shootfighting, and Army and Law Enforcement Combatives.  I have encountered many Masters and instructors of varying skill sets in both their Martial Arts techniques and their ability to teach those techniques to their students.

Over the past year, my younger brother, Master Ron Sullivan, who I introduced to Kun Tao some thirty years ago, had opened up his own Martial Arts Academy, The Fighting Edge in Connecticut and he reignited my enthusiasm and passion for the Martial Arts.

I had decided that it was time, given some of the nastier aspects of my job, to not only knock the dust and rust off my old techniques, but further expand my base knowledge in order to become a more efficient and effective fighter, martial artist and, honestly, a more well-rounded person.  I subsequently enrolled in the Combat Hapkido program at the Martial Arts Academy of Southern Pines (MAASPi) and came under the tutelage of Roy Marsh.  Mr. Marsh is an extraordinarily skilled Martial Arts practitioner and instructor – currently a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Combat Hapkido, a Brown Belt in Gracie Jiujitsu, a certified Wing Chun Kung Fu instructor, and a Brown Belt in Tae Kwon Do.  Mr. Marsh is able not only to demonstrate and execute those techniques within the curriculum but he further can explain the intricacies and subtleties of any given technique so that even the very slowest student (typically me) suddenly has the light bulb flash, “Oh, that’s why that technique works.”  He not only describes the technique but ensures that the student understands it and is able to apply it to other techniques flawlessly.

Mr. Marsh’s vast knowledge and experience in the Martial Arts is seamlessly and enthusiastically conveyed to those fortunate enough to number among his students.  He describes a 360 degree, reality-based fighting curriculum such that his students can achieve their maximum potential in the Martial Arts and leave his instruction confident in that they have been taught the skills necessary to defend against and counter virtually any assault or strike which they may encounter on the street.  Ron and Alan, as I previously mentioned, reignited my enthusiasm for the Martial Arts…Mr. Marsh through his patience and love of teaching has kept the enthusiasm at a very high level.

I recognize that even with all of my thirty five years in and around the Martial Arts, my Black Belt in Kun Tao, I am still just a beginner but I also recognize that Mr. Marsh is the sort of instructor who will advance my skill set and help me to realize my fullest potential.  As he will your own.

- Brian Sullivan:  (NC) State Law Enforcement Special Response Team (SRT) member; Former Army Special Forces Operator

• If you live in the Sandhills area and have any interest in Brazilian jiu jitsu, you would be crazy not to check out Team-ROC Southern Pines.  Roy Marsh is the consummate jiu jitsu professional and is a world-class competitor, teacher, and person.  It’s rare to meet someone who embodies the highest qualities of “The Gentle Art”; Roy does it with humility, openness, and good humor.   Knowing and learning from him has been a great pleasure.

  - Russ W.