10PATX STAFF
BEN EDDY
Ben is a second degree Black Belt under Eddie Bravo and has been training Jiu JItsu since he was a teenager. Originally from Oregon, he first gained notoriety within the 10th Planet system for his use of and success with Eddie Bravo's patented Rubber Guard. He has also invented Rubber Guard techniques, most notably a variation of a Guillotine choke from the position known as the “Hindulotine”, which he has recorded submissions with during the Combat Jiu Jitsu Worlds, at the Eddie Bravo Invitational, and during ADCC Trials.
In addition to his success as a competitor, Ben is also a highly sought-after coach and seminar instructor, having taught classes and seminars across the US and internationally. He has shared his knowledge with students all over the world, helping to develop and share 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu with practitioners of all skill levels.
Ben teaches class for All Levels, Intermediate, and is always just on the mats even taking class. Ben does specialize in Rubber Guard.
Curtis Hembroff
Curtis is a 2nd Degree Black Belt under Eddie Bravo and is the founder of 10PATX. Curtis was born and raised in Alaska and has fought in the Alaska Fighting Championships with a 5-0 pro MMA record. He was the 2015 Alaska State 185lbs and Absolute Grappling Champion. In 2015 he founded 10PATX in Austin, TX where he met his wife, Priscilla.
Curtis founded 10th Planet San Antonio in 2018 and in 2020 he opened 10th Planet Round Rock in the North of Austin. He and Priscilla welcomed their first child, baby Curtis, into the world in late 2020, followed by the arrival of their second child, Lois Rose, in 2022.
Curtis teaches Tuesday, Thursday, & Friday afternoons, & Monday through Wednesday Nights. Curtis also works with the gym’s MMA team.
Destiney Word
Destiney grew up in Gladewater, Texas, and graduated from Tarleton State University. After relocating to Austin, she became a certified personal trainer, building a strong foundation in strength, conditioning, and athletic development that continues to influence her coaching today.
With extensive competitive experience across jiu-jitsu tournaments, cage fights, and boxing, Destiney brings a well-rounded combat sports background to the mat. She has over 12 years of experience teaching both children and adults and is known for blending effective striking, technical jiu-jitsu, and structured coaching into her classes.
Destiney recently earned her black belt during the 10th Planet Austin Eclipse event and now serves as the Head Women’s Coach and one of the Head Kids Coaches at 10th Planet Austin.
A strong and trusted presence in the gym, Destiney is deeply respected within the women’s program and throughout the broader 10th Planet network for her dedication, professionalism, and commitment to student growth.
Jacob Norton
Jacob was born in Houston, Texas, and began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of eleven. He started teaching in 2016 after earning his blue belt and, after several years of training and coaching at multiple academies, was promoted to purple belt in 2018.
Jacob has since earned his black belt and is now one of the lead coaches at 10th Planet Austin. He serves as the Head Kids Coach, overseeing afternoon and evening kids’ classes, and teaches the leg lock class every Friday at 4:30 p.m. In addition to his scheduled classes, Jacob is a constant presence during evening sessions, regularly contributing technical insight and guidance.
Jacob is known for staying ahead of the meta and consistently studying what is most effective in modern competition. He is especially recognized for his leg attack systems and has become one of the gym’s top technical resources.
In the past few years, he has become one of the most respected and reputable, judges, and referees across multiple different rule sets in jiu-jitsu, primarily ADCC, one of the most prestigious promotions and the most challenging rule set to understand. He has deep technical insight to scoring under any rule set.
Lauren Sears
Lauren Sears is one of 10th Planet Austin’s core coaches and plays a key role in facilitating and teaching evening classes. She works closely with athletes of all levels, helping them sharpen technique, improve performance, and build confidence on and off the mat.
After winning a World Championship at the 2025 IBJJF No-Gi Worlds, Lauren earned her black belt— a milestone that reflects years of disciplined training, elite competition, and leadership within the gym. She is widely recognized as one of the top female grapplers at 10th Planet Austin and one of the most active high-level competitors on the team. Currently ranked Top 10 in the world in her division, Lauren brings elite-level precision, intensity, and experience into every class she teaches.
Lauren’s athletic background spans nearly two decades. She has been a competitive athlete since the age of five, with experience across a wide range of disciplines including triathlon, powerlifting, Olympic weightlifting, endurance sports, and competitive running. Prior to jiu-jitsu, she also completed over six years of MMA striking and combative training, giving her a well-rounded foundation in combat sports and movement.
In addition to her competitive career, Lauren spent ten years working as a personal trainer and sports performance coach and is a licensed Physical Therapist Assistant specializing in rehabilitative and preventative exercise.
When it comes to preparing athletes for competition, she offers experience helping athletes build self-belief, quiet mental noise, and develop the confidence required to perform under pressure.
Angel Cruz
Angel is the Head Striking and MMA Coach at 10th Planet Austin and the driving force behind the gym’s MMA program. Originally from Puerto Rico, Angel brings a deep well of experience as a professional fighter who continues to actively compete, consistently leading from the front and setting the standard for the team.
A black belt under Eddie Bravo, Angel is heavily influenced by Geo Martinez and Boogie Martinez and proudly considers himself a true 10th Planet freak. His style blends high-level striking, grappling integration, and real-fight application—bridging the gap between jiu-jitsu, MMA, and competition-tested systems.
Angel oversees both the regular MMA program and the Women’s MMA Program at 10PATX, where he emphasizes intelligent aggression, technical precision, and adaptability under pressure. His coaching philosophy is rooted in lived experience, constant evolution, and preparing athletes for real competition—whether in the cage or on the mat.
Priscilla Hembroff
Priscilla is a core coach and leader at 10th Planet Austin, known for her constant presence on the mat and her commitment to helping every student she comes across. While she doesn’t hold a single dedicated class time, Priscilla is regularly on the floor during women’s classes, 11 a.m. sessions, evening classes, and kids’ classes—making a consistent impact across the entire academy.
She plays an active role in supporting students of all ages and experience levels, from women and adult practitioners to children in the kids’ program, including the 11 a.m. and 4:30 classes. Whether it’s refining technique, answering questions, or providing encouragement, Priscilla is always stepping in wherever she’s needed.
Priscilla recently earned her black belt under Eddie Bravo, marking a major milestone in her journey as both an athlete and a coach. She is one of 10PATX’s top female athletes and a highly active, high-level competitor, bringing real competition experience, technical depth, and a team-first mindset into everything she does.
Joe Kai
Joe is the 6 a.m. coach at 10th Planet Austin, leading classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for the academy’s most dedicated early-morning crew. Known for his consistency, technical depth, and calm coaching style, Joe sets the tone for disciplined, high-level training at the start of each day.
Joe is a 1st Degree black belt under Brandon Mccaghren (B MAC) out of Decatur, Alabama—one of the most highly respected and technically renowned black belts in the 10th Planet system. That lineage is reflected in Joe’s attention to detail, system-based teaching, and emphasis on clean execution.
A seasoned black belt and active competitor, Joe brings years of experience into every class, helping students develop strong fundamentals, sharp transitions, and confidence in live situations. His morning sessions are structured, challenging, and built for long-term progression.
Joseph Gomez
Joseph is the Head Instructor at 10th Planet Round Rock and a key leader across the 10th Planet Austin ecosystem. A brown belt under 10PATX Head Coach Curtis Hembroff, Joseph has trained with the team throughout his entire jiu-jitsu journey, embodying the culture and standards of the academy from day one.
With a lifelong background in wrestling, Joseph brings a pressure-heavy, competition-proven approach to grappling. He leads the wrestling program at 10th Planet Austin, teaching classes every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 10 a.m., where he helps students develop strong takedowns, positional control, and seamless transitions into submission-based systems.
An active competitor who consistently leads by example, Joseph also plays an important role in the kids’ programs at both 10th Planet Austin and 10th Planet Round Rock. Whether working with youth athletes or adult competitors, his coaching emphasizes discipline, fundamentals, and real-world application.
Casey Champagne
Casey is a longtime coach and one of the most technically precise black belts at 10th Planet Austin. He currently leads the Thursday night classes, which have developed a highly dedicated group of students who consistently show up specifically for his methodical, detail-oriented approach to jiu-jitsu.
A homegrown 10PATX black belt under Head Coach Curtis Hembroff, Casey began his journey at 10th Planet Austin and was one of the very first students in the academy’s history. Over the years, he has taught across multiple programs, including advanced leg lock instruction, earning a reputation for deep technical knowledge and structured teaching.
Casey is known for taking his role as a coach seriously, breaking down complex systems with clarity, patience, and purpose. His classes emphasize precision, control, and long-term development, making him a trusted resource for students looking to refine their game at a high level.
Adam Fujawa
Adam is a homegrown 10th Planet Austin black belt and one of the most positive, high-energy presences in the gym. He leads the Friday classes and, despite having his own coaching slot, is regularly on the mat throughout the week training alongside students and teammates.
Adam recently earned his black belt under Head Coach Curtis Hembroff during the 10PATX Eclipse event, marking the culmination of years of dedication and consistency. Before jiu-jitsu, Adam was a professional snowboarder and even competed in the X Games—bringing an athlete’s mindset, creativity, and resilience into everything he does on the mat.
Known as one of the loudest voices in the gym, Adam pairs infectious energy with genuine kindness. He’s universally respected for his encouragement, humility, and willingness to support everyone around him, making him both a strong coach and a cornerstone of the 10PATX community.
Dylan Spyer
Dylan is a homegrown 10th Planet Austin black belt and a highly respected presence within the 10PATX community. He leads the Saturday 11 a.m. jiu-jitsu classes and is a familiar face during evening sessions, where he’s often on the mat helping teammates, drilling, or jumping into class himself.
Known for his deep technical knowledge and consistent competition activity, Dylan regularly represents 10PATX in tournaments and team duels, always bringing energy, effort, and composure. He is especially recognized for having one of the best Octopus Guard games in the gym, blending creativity with sharp positional control.
Beyond his skill set, Dylan is genuinely loved by the community for his positive attitude and approachability. His combination of high-level jiu-jitsu, willingness to help others, and down-to-earth personality makes him a coach and teammate that students enjoy learning from and training alongside.
Colin Carr
Colin is a coach and elite competitor at 10th Planet Austin, teaching the 6 a.m. Tuesday and Thursday classes for athletes looking to train at a high level early in the day. A former Division I collegiate wrestler, Colin brings an exceptional base of pressure, control, and athleticism into every class he leads.
Widely regarded as one of the top pound-for-pound athletes in the gym—and among the best grapplers in Austin—Colin is one of 10PATX’s most active competitors. His game reflects constant evolution, staying current with the modern grappling meta while maintaining a fundamentally sound, well-rounded approach.
Colin played a major role in developing the wrestling program at 10PATX, helping students build strong takedowns and positional dominance. Known for his intensity, technical awareness, and work ethic, Colin sets a high standard both as a coach and as a teammate.