Meet the Team
Our coaching staff is the heart of Unified Jiu-Jitsu. Each coach brings real experience, patience, and passion to every class, teaching safe, technical, and effective jiu-jitsu in a structured and supportive environment. We lead with integrity, discipline, and purpose — guiding students with encouragement, respect, and high standards at every level.
More than instructors, our coaches are mentors, role models, and community leaders. They train hard, teach with intention, and help every student — kids, teens, and adults — build confidence, resilience, skill, and character on and off the mats. Whether you’re a complete beginner or a dedicated competitor, our team is committed to helping you rise, grow, and discover your strength.
At Unified, we believe we rise as one — and our coaches show that every day.
Ryan Jarreau
Professor Ryan Jarreau
With nearly 15 years of dedicated training, Professor Ryan Jarreau has built his career on and off the mats as both a competitor and teacher of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has successfully competed in tournaments across Texas and beyond, earning multiple medals—including four gold, two silver, and one bronze.
He believes that BJJ is not just an ordinary sport, but rather a game of chess: your mind and body both focused and exercised.
Amanda Arroyo
Amanda is the co-owner of Unified Jiu Jitsu Schertz, where she combines her passion for martial arts with her heart for family and community. As a wife, mother, and proud grandmother, she understands the importance of creating a space where people of all ages feel welcomed, supported, and empowered.
Coach Eric
Hey I am Eric. I am a Jiu jitsu purple belt with a long history of western style and Muay Thai kickboxing experience. I am an entrepreneur and podcast host and I have given keynote speeches all over the world. I operate my own functional medicine clinic where I offer health coaching, peptide therapy, and more. My focus is spiritual, physical, and emotional self-mastery.
Coach Kama
Hey I’m Kama! I’m a Jiu-Jitsu purple belt and dedicated competitor with a diverse background in weight training, neuroscience, yoga, and breathwork. On and off the mats, I blend science and grit to sharpen performance, build resilience, and stay grounded under pressure. From competition to recovery, I train with purpose—and roll with heart.
Lloyd Garrison
Coach Lloyd is an Army veteran, devoted family man, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner who brings quiet strength, discipline, and consistency to the mat. Having competed in multiple Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, he believes real growth is earned through effort, humility, and showing up every day.
Outside of training, Lloyd is a self-proclaimed geek at heart with interests in art and robotics. His service-driven mindset and steady presence make him a valued leader within the Unified family. He doesn’t often tell dad jokes—but when he does, they’re delivered seriously.
Coach Cristian
Cristian comes to Unified Jiu Jitsu with a strong wrestling background and a passion for competition. While he’s new to the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, his experience on the wrestling mats gives him a solid foundation of discipline, grit, and athleticism.
Cristian actively competes in wrestling and Greco-Roman events, bringing the same determination and focus that he shows in training. As he continues to grow within the Unified family, Cristian is quickly adapting his wrestling instincts to the art of Jiu-Jitsu — proving that hard work and heart always translate across disciplines.
Kip Holmstead
Director Of Outreach & Recuruitment
Kip Holmstead is a strategic and forward-thinking leader with over 20 years of combined military and civilian experience in training and development, operations management, hospitality, fitness, and customer relations. Additionally, he has a Masters degree in Organizational Management with a concentration in Organizational Leadership. Throughout his career, Kip has demonstrated a proven ability to optimize processes, inspire cross-functional teams, and deliver measurable performance improvements.
He has a strong background in wrestling with over 13 years of experience. He has been training Jui Jistu for over 15 months and has acculminated 1 gold medal at Blue belt and 6 gold medals and 2 silver medals at White Belt.
Kip has been married to Karen Holmstead for 6 years and has 4 children ages 16, 15, 13 and 13.
Team Cristanelli
Terry & Steph Cristanelli
Terry and Stephanie Cristanelli each bring their own unique energy and passions to the Unified Community.
Their story has been 14 years in the making. Terry was the guy who loved skateboarding, Steph was the girl who loved skateboarders, and with the same circle of friends, it didn’t take long before they connected.
Fast forward → they’re raising two amazing boys (7 & 21), still best friends, and still doing life side by side.
Now, as proud members of the Unified Jiu Jitsu family, they bring that same energy into the community.
Terry is a lifelong skateboarder whose passions also include hitting the gym, videography and always chasing new projects and ideas.. Known for his creativity, dedication and ambition, he represents the values of family and discipline Jiu Jitsu instills.
Steph is all about plants and gardening. She’s a creative content maker who shares her love for plants and practical know-how through her growing garden channel. Her creativity and care don’t stop at the garden — they shine through in the way she supports her family and contributes to the Unified Community.
Outside of the mats you’ll find them going on coffee dates, going to parks and trails or spending time with friends and family.
✨ Together, Terry and Steph embody a balance of passion, family, and community spirit that reflects what Unified Jiu Jitsu is all about.
Our Mission & Values
Unified Jiu-Jitsu exists to build strong people — physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Our mission is to empower kids, teens, adults, and veterans through the discipline of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while creating a safe, structured, and uplifting environment where every student can grow at their own pace.
We believe in teaching real technique, building real confidence, and fostering a community where respect, effort, and integrity are non-negotiable.
On our mats, beginners feel welcome, competitors feel challenged, and families feel supported.
Unified isn’t just a gym.
It’s a place to learn, to rise, and to become the strongest version of yourself.
CORE VALUES
Our Values
Respect — For yourself, your coaches, and your team.
Discipline — Show up, listen, learn, and apply.
Humility — Stay coachable, stay grounded.
Consistency — Small steps every day lead to big growth.
Effort — Always give your best, even when it’s hard.
Community — We support each other inside and outside the gym.
Courage — Face challenges with confidence and resilience.
Integrity — Do the right thing, even when no one is watching.
Rise and Rise Again — Fall seven times; stand eight.
Rise and Rise Again until Lambs become Lions
Respect
We treat each other with honor — teammates, coaches, parents, and visitors. Respect builds trust, safety, and strong character.
Discipline
Jiu-Jitsu teaches students how to focus, listen, commit, and stay consistent in both training and life.
Humility
Everyone starts somewhere. We encourage a mindset of learning, not ego. Staying humble keeps us safe and progressing.
Consistency
Growth doesn’t come from perfection — it comes from showing up. We celebrate effort and steady improvement.
Effort
We teach students to control the two things they always own: their effort and their attitude.
Community
Unified is a family. We rise together, support each other, and celebrate each other’s victories on and off the mats.
Courage
Stepping on the mat takes bravery. We help students build confidence, face challenges, and overcome obstacles.
Integrity
Do what’s right, even when no one is looking. Train hard. Be honest. Carry yourself with honor.
Rise and Rise Again
This is our mindset — perseverance, resilience, and belief in yourself, no matter the obstacle.