Meet Our Exceptional Instructors at Katharo Training Center
At Katharo Training Center - Jiu-Jitsu and Fitness in Littleton, CO, we're proud to offer world-class Jiu-Jitsu and fitness instruction from a team of highly skilled and experienced professionals. Our instructors bring diverse backgrounds in martial arts, military service, law enforcement, and competitive sports to provide you with comprehensive training that goes beyond the mat. Whether you're a beginner or an advanced practitioner, our staff is committed to helping you achieve your goals in Jiu-Jitsu, fitness, and personal growth.
Discover how our expert instructors can help you transform your life through Jiu-Jitsu and fitness. Reach out to KTC to learn more about our programs and meet our exceptional team.
Professor Steve Hordinski III
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Professor Steve Hordinski III has the profound privilege of sharing the gift of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with others. This martial art has the power to transform lives and improve everyone's quality of life.
With decades of martial arts experience, Steve's journey began with Kenpo Karate, where he earned his Black Belt. As a Deep-Sea Navy Diver in the United States Navy, he discovered Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu through Relson Gracie Black Belt Phil Cardella. This exposure had a profound impact, transforming his life in ways he never thought possible.
After his first class, Steve was hooked. Stationed in Hawaii, he trained at Grandmaster Relson Gracie's school, learning from one of the founding masters of Jiu-Jitsu. This rare privilege allowed him to learn from the source, and now he's honored to share that knowledge with others.
As a fourth-degree Black Belt, Steve specializes in self-defense-based Jiu-Jitsu, focusing on takedowns and striking. He has taught seminars nationwide, promoted individuals to Black Belts, and supported non-profits aiding disabled veterans. Committed to leading by example, Steve invites you to experience the transformative power of Jiu-Jitsu and looks forward to seeing you on the mat.
Professor Steve Hordinski, Jr.
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Steve Hordinski Jr. began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2001, inspired by his son Steven's passion and joy for the sport. He wanted to understand what sparked such enthusiasm. Steven discovered Jiu-Jitsu while serving in the Navy. During his leave, he shared his dream of opening an academy after his return. This motivated Professor Steve to learn more about the sport.
He trained at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu of Boulder (now Easton's) for nine years before opening his academy.
For Professor Steve, Jiu-Jitsu is a lifestyle. He loves everything about it, especially the people he meets through the sport. Born and raised in Denver, Professor Steve was inducted into the Army on June 14, 1971, and served two years with the 18th Airborne Corps as part of the Military Police. Afterward, he worked for 30 years as an engineering tech with the Bureau of Reclamation.
A devoted family man, Steve has raised three sons and now enjoys time with his eight grandkids. Being a grandpa is his top priority, and he also enjoys paddleboarding. At 72, Professor Steve aims to continue training into his 80s. He earned his black belt in December 2013. His goal for the academy is to create a family-like environment for his students.
Professor Chris Chastain
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Chris has been training BJJ since 2012 and has been studying under Professor Steve Hordinski since 2014. He started focusing on combative and self-defense and has since developed a love for exploring the art. He enjoys testing the technical fundamentals against all styles of training. A particular theme that resonates with Chris is the correlation between Christian discipleship and being a martial artist, embracing the challenge to be better today than he was yesterday. Chris spends his time away from the academy working at Lockheed Martin and enjoying time with his wife, Rebecca, and kids, Evan and Clara.
Professor Scott Magen
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Scott Magen started his martial arts journey in 1986, studying kung fu during a summer break from college. He was hooked from the start and spent the next 25 years involved in striking arts, including Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, and kickboxing. Living in Summit County, Colorado, for most of those years, he found no schools teaching grappling.
Finally, after moving to Littleton, he joined the academy in 2010. He knew right away that this was where he wanted to be. Jiu-Jitsu is the only martial art you can practice daily against a fully resisting opponent, making it irresistible to him. Walking in the door and testing your technique against people of all sizes and ages is what he loves. Some days, you can keep it light; on others, you can train hard, depending on what your mind and body need. He can't imagine living without it.
Scott is a small business owner, a husband, and a father of two. Adhering to a typical martial arts academy schedule is difficult for him, which is why he loves the morning classes. He invites you to train at 6 a.m. and get your training in while most of the world is still fast asleep.
Professor Muzaff Jardien
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
From a young age, Coach Muzaff Jardien was obsessed with martial arts, believing it could give you superpowers and guide you on your life journey. Growing up watching Shaolin movies further fueled this passion, as he admired the dedication and training depicted.
Muzaff began my martial arts journey with Muay Thai as a teenager and later trained in Tang Soo Do in his twenties. In 2012, he became heavily involved in jiu-jitsu and judo, starting his training at Gracie Barra Culver City. After moving to Colorado as a fourth-degree blue belt, Muzaff trained under Professor Steve Hordinski, III. After thorough research, he found him to be the most qualified instructor to help him advance in his journey—his old professor always emphasized the importance of Gracie jiu-jitsu. Coach Muzaff is currently a fourth-degree brown belt under Professor Hordinski, III, and he teaches jiu-jitsu concepts at the KTC on Fridays at 6 PM.
Along the way, he's rekindled his love for Shaolin practices, particularly the internal work. Shaolin Qigong for meditation and breathwork has become invaluable to him. With six years of practice, Muzaff now feels a mission to help others by teaching these methods to those looking to improve their breathing or release trauma from the body. He also runs a Qigong class at Katharo on Fridays at 5 PM for all levels.
Whether through healing or jiu-jitsu, Coach Muzaff looks forward to seeing you on the mats!
Professor Derek Nye
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Meet Coach Derek Nye, a dedicated and passionate KTC's team member. Derek embarked on his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2015, inspired by the enlightening discussions on Joe Rogan’s podcast. His fascination with the art led him to Katharo, where he eagerly enrolled in his first class.
Under the guidance of Professor Steve, Derek’s journey took flight. By the time he reached the midway point of his white belt journey, Derek was deeply engaged with the kids’ program, where he began sharing his knowledge as an assistant coach. This marked the beginning of his commitment to nurturing the next generation of grapplers.
As he progressed to a blue belt, Derek’s focus intensified, with a strong emphasis on competition. He honed his skills on the mat and dedicated himself to coaching young talents with similar competitive ambitions. With over 150 competition matches under his belt and the privilege of coaching hundreds more, Derek’s experience speaks volumes.
Derek embodies the essence of a true coach, always eager to impart his wisdom to those keen to learn. He approaches the art of Jiu-Jitsu with a beginner’s mindset, continuously seeking growth and refinement. If you’re looking for Coach Derek at KTC, you’ll likely find him in the kids’ or advanced classes, sharing his love for Jiu-Jitsu and nurturing the potential of aspiring grapplers.
Coach Marci Wilson
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Meet Coach Marci Wilson, a dedicated Brown Belt with over nine years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). Starting her journey alongside her son, Marci found a second home at Katharo Training Center, where they often spent hours training together on Saturdays. She brings warmth and expertise as an assistant coach for the Fundamentals Class (Tuesday and Thursday evenings) and the Children’s Competition Class and leads the Ladies Only Class on Wednesdays, a program she has guided with passion for two years. Marci loves introducing beginners to BJJ, cherishing the moment they discover their spark for the sport on their very first day.
As a petite practitioner, Marci relies on sharp technique and fluid movement, excelling in open guard from her early focus on defense. BJJ enriches her life, offering stress relief, a sense of community, and growth in confidence, agility, and discipline. With a heartfelt commitment to her students, Marci inspires everyone at Katharo to embrace their BJJ journey with enthusiasm and purpose.
Coach Brandon Gist
Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Coach Brandon Gist is a cornerstone of Katharo Training Center, having served as General Manager during a critical transition period, ensuring the academy’s growth and stability. He now excels as a Jiu-Jitsu Coach, Assistant Budokon Instructor, and Law Enforcement Tactics Instructor, bringing unparalleled expertise to our community.
A U.S. Navy veteran with Joint Special Operations Command experience, Brandon conducted counterterrorism missions worldwide. His Jiu-Jitsu journey began with the Modern Army Combatives Program, deepened during a year of training in Hawaii in 2011, and continued at Katharo since 2020. With 11 years in law enforcement, Brandon applied his Jiu-Jitsu skills in violent encounters, successfully managing resisting suspects, including a remarkable confrontation against three individuals simultaneously. His expertise in fighting techniques and weapons retention is unmatched.
Passionate about teaching, Brandon fosters a supportive environment, offering free Sunday classes for first responders to give back to the community. He specializes in no-gi and MMA-style Jiu-Jitsu, blending striking for practical, real-world application. Off the mats, this Colorado native enjoys fly fishing, weightlifting, and his diverse athletic background in professional road racing, mountain biking, and mountaineering.
Coach Mike Collins
Striking Coach
Meet Mike Collins: Your Striking Coach. Coach Mike has the privilege of sharing over 20 years of dedicated training in kickboxing, boxing, and Muay Thai, blending timeless old-school fundamentals with sharp modern fight intelligence to empower students at every stage of their journey. A semi-professional Muay Thai fighter with more than 20 professional bouts, he proudly holds the title of 2025 International Kickboxing Association Point Muay Thai Champion. With 15+ years of coaching experience across the United States and Europe, he brings a world-class, battle-tested perspective to every class at Katharo Training Center.
Beyond his core striking disciplines, Coach Mike has trained extensively in Taekwondo, Jeet Kune Do, and Kali—deepening his mastery of movement, timing, distance management, and practical self-defense applications that translate to real-world scenarios. His teaching style breaks down complex techniques into clear, simple, and highly effective steps, making advanced concepts accessible and rewarding for complete beginners and experienced fighters alike.
Coach Mike’s classes are high-energy, safe, and enjoyable, designed to build unshakable confidence, elite-level conditioning, and precise, powerful technique rooted in authentic combat experience. Whether you’re stepping onto the mats for the first time or sharpening your edge for competition, you’ll leave each session stronger, more capable, and inspired to continue growing.
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