Our Complete Team

Colorado Springs BJJ Instructor Team Photo
Bill Hosken

Bill Hosken

Head Instructor & Founder
Black Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ, Combative Level 4 Certified and authorized by the Army’s Combatives School to teach Combatives Level 1
Teaches: Monday and Wednesday Night 730pm
Credentials:
Bill started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Southern California in 1995. He has trained with some of the greatest BJJ fighters and coaches, including Rigan Machado and his brothers, Bob Bass, Pedro Carvalho, Betiiss Mansouri and Rodrigo Teixiera. Bill continues to learn so his students are aware of new developments in BJJ, bringing in techniques from wrestling and other sports. Bill is aware that what works well for him might not be the best for every student, so he presents a variety of approaches and options for each technique. Students develop their own game or style, and Bill’s coaching style is flexible to accommodate each student’s strengths and limitations.
Jeff

Jeff

Adult Morning Class Instructor
Black Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Helps Instruct the Morning Classes
About:
Jeff has trained in martial arts for most of his life, earning black belts or higher in 8 styles—3 of them Filipino. His early exposure to Filipino Martial Arts while living in the Philippines, due to his father’s Air Force posting, shaped his unique perspective on martial arts and life. Jeff sees himself more as a guide than a leader, believing that a martial art should reflect the student, not the instructor. In class, he prefers to be called Jeff or Coach.
Fun Facts:
Jeff M is currently a design engineer for a small startup in Colorado Springs. He double majored in Math and Computer Science in college. This will help explain the analytical approach to everything he does. Jeff has had many hobbies over the years, brewing beer, SCA, music, Toast Masters, traveling, keeping bees, and more but has always done some form of MA.
James

James

Adult Gi Class Instructor
Black Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Monday and Tuesday Morning 6:30am
About:
James actually started training in 1996 but took a 16 year break before restarting his journey in 2012 at the age of 31 under coaches Bill Hosken and Jeff M James puts a focus on creating a safe, fun, casual, and welcoming environment for personal and martial growth, combined with a systems based approach for navigating the ever expanding world of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and submission grappling.
Fun Facts:
In addition to the martial arts, James enjoys playing music and is a lifelong fan and patron of the performing arts.
Favorite Quote:
"I'm in competition with myself and I'm losing." -Roger Waters
Joe

Joe

Adult Class Instructor (Tuesday and Thrusday)
Black Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Tuesday and Thrusday Night 6:30pm
About:
Joe Z. is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor known for his technical precision, relentless passion, and commitment to helping students grow both on and off the mats. With years of training under impressive lineage, Joe blends traditional BJJ fundamentals with a modern, adaptable approach to grappling. Whether coaching beginners through their first armbar or fine-tuning the game of seasoned competitors, he brings unmatched focus and energy to every class. For Joe, BJJ isn't just a martial art, it's a lifelong path of learning, growth, and resilience.
Fun Facts:
Joe is a doctor of pharmacy. Joe when he is not on the mat loves snowboarding, dirt biking, and playing league of legends.
John aka (Steakhouse)

SteakHouse

Adult no Gi Class instructor
Black Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Wednesday and Thursday Morning 630am
About:
John has been doing BJJ for about 14 years. He is the instructor for the Wednesday and Thursday morning classes that have a focus on no gi training. John enjoys long walks on the beach, reading romantic novels, and watching the light leave his opponents eyes as he triangles them. In all seriousness, John's primary focus is to teach old school BJJ fundamentals, while keeping all of his students up to date with modern/sports BJJ. He exceeds in triangle chokes, butterfly sweeps, and escaping side control(not as a choice though).
Fun Facts:
John is Massage therapist by trade, likes rubik's cubes, is terrible at math, and really likes cars. However, despite his love for cars, he is "bad at driving".
Audrey

Audrey

Adult Women's class Instructor
Blue Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Saturday 8am
About:
Audrey restarted the women's class in 2024. After some friends of hers wanted to try jiu jitsu but were too nervous. Audrey and Erika have made it their goal to make a safe learning environment for women to learn self defense and martial arts.
Fun Facts:
Since Audrey has revamped the women's class the number of women has tripled in the gym!
Erica

Erika

Adult Women's class Instructor
Purple Belt (BJJ)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Saturday 8am
About:
Erika is a mental health provider by trade, but she's always struggled with meditation and mindfulness despite knowing how beneficial they are. Every time she’s tried, her mind drifts to her to-do list. But when she began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), something clicked. Rolling in a safe, supportive environment became one of the few spaces where she could truly stay present and in tune with both her mind and body. For Erika, BJJ isn’t just a great physical workout, it’s also a powerful mindfulness practice that keeps her mentally grounded.
Quote:
“It’s nearly impossible to make a mental grocery list when someone’s trying to choke you.”
Alex

Alex

Kids Coach & Adult Class Instructor
Purple Belt (BJJ), Green Belt (TKD)
Specializes in: BJJ
Teaches: Tuesday and Thursday 5pm
About:
Alex is a purple belt in BJJ, he’s the kids’ coach and the evening nogi instructor at CSBJJ. Alex began coaching with soccer until 2020. Alex is fluent in American Sign Language (ASL) and uses this skill to support students who require sign support.
Fun Facts:
Alex grew up in Nebraska and started training under Bill in 2022. Alex is also a distiller at Distillery 291.

Enrollment and Waiver of Liability and Fee Agreement

Plan:

I hereby submit my application for participation in classes at the Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy. I clearly recognize that a risk is involved in participating in this class and related activities. I (and my parent/guardian/caregiver if I am under the age of 18) attest that I am physically fit to participate in the class. In consideration of services to be received as a student, I, the undersigned, hereby release and forever discharge the Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy, William (Bill) Hosken, and any other instructors and or participants in the class from any and all actions, liability claims and demands upon or by reason of any damage, loss, injury, or in connection with and in course of receiving this school's training and techniques, from the instructor or instructors, staff, official, or employees of this school or any fellow students in connection there with and within the course of taking training or lessons for the purpose designed in this application. I agree not to open a school or commercial training operation for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I will not teach within 15 mile radius of Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or any other grappling martial arts. I hereby waive all my rights to the claims, actions, and cause of action, demand or suit of loss, injury, damage, or suffering sustained. I promise to pay to CSBJJ my monthly fees and will give a 30 day written notice upon cancelation. I understand not to make any charge backs to CSBJJ and understand that there is a $50 charge back fee and to explain to CSBJJ how you want to cancel your current membership 30 day written notice and an on hold membership agree to pay a $140 cancelation fee.

I consent that any photos, videos, taken in any connection to Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu can be used for publicity promotions with TV, Internet and other similar advertising. I hereby release rights of photo and videos of myself to Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu while at the School Location and any team function, i.e. tournaments.

I have read this release of liability and assumption of risk agreement, fully understand its terms, understand that I have given up substantial rights by signing it, and sign it freely and voluntarily without inducement.

This is to certify that I (and my parent/guardian/caregiver if I am under the age of 18), do consent and agree not only to this release of the Colorado Springs Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy and all other releases, but also to release and indemnify the releases from any and all liabilities incident to my involvement in these programs for myself, my heirs, my assigns and next of kin.