About

TRIANGLE ACADEMY OF FRANKLIN: YOUR BJJ EXPERTS

YOUR LOCAL TRUSTED BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU ACADEMY

Founded by Owner & Head Coach Clay Mayfield, Triangle Academy opened its doors on October 1, 2018. Since Day 1, our mission has been to provide world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Franklin and the surrounding areas. 

We are committed to maintaining a clean and safe environment, and creating a supportive, healthy culture in our gym and community. 

There is no single ‘type’ of person who trains BJJ. Every class is a wide spectrum of professions and personalities, from nurses and lawyers to college students and construction workers. We have professional athletes, stay-at-home moms, and everything in between. The common denominator is simply that every person is working hard to be a better version of themselves!


MEET OUR ADULT COACHES!

CLAY MAYFIELD

OWNER / HEAD COACH

  • BJJ BLACK BELT
  • JUDO COACH UNDER TRAVIS STEVENS
  • IBJJF NOGI PANS SILVER MEDALIST
  • IBJJF GI PANS BRONZE MEDALIST


Clay began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2008, under Royce Gracie. At age 18 he began teaching full-time, and in 2017 he joined the world-renowned Pedigo Submission Fighting team.


After achieving the #1 IBJJF Ranking in the world at Brown Belt (Gi & NoGi), Clay was awarded his Black Belt by Heath Pedigo in October 2021 - and is currently one of the most active Adult Black Belt competitors representing the USA on the world circuit.

"As a Coach, I understand that people start martial arts for any number of reasons - from wanting to be a World Champion to simply wanting to lose weight or gain confidence in life. My goal is simply to help every person who walks through the doors to become a better version of themselves"

BLAKE BROWN

ADULT COACH / VARSITY DIRECTOR

  • BJJ BROWN BELT
  • IBJJF GI WORLD CHAMPION
  • IBJJF NOGI PANS SILVER MEDALIST
  • WRESTLING COACH


Blake Brown wrestled through high school in Indiana, where he took 2nd Place at the Freestyle State Championships.After graduating college, his cousin (a black belt under Lucas Leite)  encouraged him to start Jiu-Jitsu. Blake picked up BJJ quickly, and won the IBJJF World Championships at Super-Heavyweight Blue Belt in 2022.


Blake currently trains & coaches at Triangle Academy 5-6 days/week, and competes on the world circuit 

"My goal as a Coach is to challenge students to grow as athletes and as people – specifically through goal-setting and self-reflection"

ZACH HEATH

ADULT COACH

  • BJJ PURPLE BELT
  • IBJJF NOGI WORLD CHAMPION
  • IBJJF GI PANS CHAMPION


Zach Heath began training Jiu-Jitsu in college in 2018, and joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020.  He applied a relentless work ethic to his training, and won the IBJJF Pan-Ams in 2021 - becoming Triangle Academy's first ever Blue Belt 


For almost two years, Zach was the Head Coach of our Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program, before moving his focus to our Adult Classes. 


An active competitor, he won the NoGi World Championships at Blue Belt in December 2023 and received his Purple Belt 

"My favorite part of Jiu-Jitsu is constantly improving my knowledge base, and getting the opportunity to watch the same process occur in others through coaching!"

JUSTIN CLAPHAN

ADULT COACH / SENIOR KIDS COACH

  • BJJ BLACK BELT
  • US ARMY VETERAN


Justin began training in Ohio in 2014, under the Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association.  After receiving his Brown Belt, Justin and his wife Christy relocated to Franklin, and he joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team. 

He has been a dedicated part of his training room since shortly after Triangle Academy opened, and earned his Black Belt from Heath Pedigo in October 2024. 


Justin teaches our Adult Fundamentals and Kids Beginner Classes, and can always be seen with a smile on his face! 

"Jiu-Jitsu is a great way to stay in shape, gain self-confidence, and improve in so many ways – I love it because it is so FUN!! My favorite part of being a coach is seeing other people’s growth. Knowing that I can help kids learn to handle a bullying situation is an especially great feeling"

HARD TRAINING. GOOD CULTURE. NO DRAMA.

MEET OUR KIDS COACHES!

FOSTER EHRIE

HEAD KIDS COACH

  • BJJ PURPLE BELT
  • 4 YEARS WRESTLING
  • BJJ STATE CHAMPION


Foster began training Jiu-Jitsu at age 10. After focusing on wrestling for four seasons in high school he returned to BJJ, joining the Pedigo Submission Fighting team in 2020. 

He made a strong addition to Triangle's training room, but really found his passion when he began coaching the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Classes.  Foster has a heart for teaching children, and a natural ability to relate to and teach young athletes. 


After two years as an Assistant Coach, Foster became the Head Coach of our Kids Jiu-Jitsu Program in 2023. 

"When I first started coaching, I had no idea how impactful this career could be. Not just teaching Jiu-Jitsu & Wrestling, but imparting life lessons, good manners, and – most importantly – helping these kids understand what can come from hard work and discipline. Every day I come to the gym with an immense sense of pride and gratitude for this opportunity!"

RISHI MARTINEZ

KIDS COACH

  • BJJ BLUE BELT
  • FLUENT IN SPANISH


Rishi began training Jiu-Jitsu in his native city of Culver City, Californa shortly before relocating to Tennessee in 2021. 


Since joining our team, Rishi has become a dedicated part of the Triangle Academy training room, and loves coaching our Kids Beginner & Advanced Classes! 

"I’ve enjoyed my training from the beginning, and my love for the sport has just deepened since being able to teach. Coaching the Kids Classes motivates me to be a better leader and teammate myself. My goal is to compete successfully and one day, open my own Jiu-Jitsu gym!"

OWEN SANFORD

KIDS COACH / ASSISTANT ADULT COACH

  • BJJ PURPLE BELT
  • 3 YEARS WRESTLING


Owen wrestled in high school for 3 years, then started BJJ in 2020.  In 2022 he joined the Pedigo Submission Fighting team with the goal of becoming a World Champion, and spent a season traveling the world competing with the Triangle Varsity athletes. 


In the 2024 season Owen accepted a full-time coaching position at Triangle Academy, where he teaches our Kids Beginner & Advanced Classes and Adult Fundamentals Classes. 

He still trains 5-6 days/week and enjoys competing at a high level

"Jiu-Jitsu is so addicting to me because it's a skillset that can constantly be improved and honed.  Helping other people learn and grow in this sport is such an amazing thing to see and be a part of!"

ALEXANDREA JOHNSON

KIDS COACH

  • BJJ BLUE BELT
  • IBJJF CON CHAMPION


Alex began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2023, and quickly became immersed in the sport. 

She trains 3-4 days/week in our Adult Program, and coaches the Kids Jiu-Jitsu Classes - she particularly loves working with the young ladies in class. 


Alex enjoys training BJJ for fitness and the camaraderie of our Ladies Team, and competes occasionally to test herself - most recently winning the 2024 IBJJF CON event and earning her Blue Belt. 

"My favorite part of Jiu-Jitsu is the positive culture and community in the gym! I was an athlete in high school, but really missed that competitive outlet as an adult. 


I also love coaching the Kids Classes! I've always enjoyed being around children, and learning to teach helps me develop as an athlete too!"

PEDIGO SUBMISSION FIGHTING

Pedigo Submission Fighting is widely regarded as one of the most dominant up-and-coming American teams on the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu scene.


The team that Triangle Academy represents, Pedigo Submission Fighting is named after our head coach Heath Pedigo. Heath began his training in the early 1990’s, and was one of the first-generation pioneers of BJJ in MMA, with an undefeated record.


He received his black belt from Rickson Gracie’s student Rodrigo Vaghi, and runs the PSF “Daisy Fresh” headquarters in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Though a small organization with just a handful of affiliates (including Triangle Academy), the team has produced a staggeringly high ratio of Pan-American & World Champions and ADCC veterans.


Pedigo training rooms are legendary for their hard-working team members, and emphasis on relentless drilling and conditioning.


FRANKLIN, TN

PROUDLY SERVICING FRANKLIN, TN

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