Our Instructors

Our Instructors

Our world-class instructors and coaches will provide all the guidance you will ever need.

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Charles Sheeley

Instructor & Owner

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Experience: 17 years

BJJ Rank: Black Belt

Martial Arts Experience: 20 + years

Other Practices: Muay Thai, Jeet Kun Do, Boxing, Kali, Kung Fu


Charles is the primary instructor and owner of Fathom Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He started his martial arts journey over 20 years ago and built a well-rounded resume in the defensive arts before dedicating his focus to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which he has practiced for the past 17 years.

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Charles believes in constantly testing his knowledge and abilities, so he regularly attends seminars and competitions to ensure his skills and instruction are up-to-date, reliable, and effective.  He considers it his responsibility to his students to make sure they have the knowledge and ability to defend themselves, and he ensures this by only teaching techniques that have been shown to consistently work against uncooperative opponents.

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His goal is to build happier, healthier humans by providing a safe and welcoming environment to practice the martial art, while cultivating students' confidence and improving their fitness through daily exercise.



Taylor Sheeley

Instructor & Owner

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Experience: 8 years

BJJ Rank: Brown Belt

Other Practices: Okinawan Karate, Muay Thai

Taylor is the lead instructor of the kids and women's programs at Fathom.
 

She began her Jiu Jitsu journey in 2016, and since then became the first woman to earn a purple or brown belt under Mike Rethmeyer. She has won gold medals at all belt levels, including IBJJF golds at blue and purple belt. She enjoys the challenge of testing herself at tournaments and has been competing (and winning) in a sport most men quit ever since she started.


Taylor has made it a priority to ensure that Fathom BJJ is a safe-haven for women wanting to improve their fitness and learn to defend themselves. She is also a founder of Sirensong Seminars, a traveling women's self-defense workshop. Her passion and drive make her a great role-model for BJJ female athletes as well as young women who are looking to join the sport.


She is happy to set up private lessons for individuals or groups of women interested in checking out what Jiu Jitsu has to offer, as well as kids wanting to improve their competition performance.

Professor Mike Rethmeyer

 Head Black Belt

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Experience:  27 years

BJJ Rank: Fourth Degree Black Belt

Other Practices: Judo, Muay Thai

"Brazilian" Mike Rethmeyer embodies all of the core philosophies and abilities that make Brazilian Jiu Jitsu such an influential martial art. He is a skilled and dominant competitor, proving his abilities time and time again in national and world competitions.

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Mike grew up in Brazil, and began training in 1994 during the time that Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was still in it's proving grounds. After moving to the US, he trained under and received his black belt from Rodrigo Vaghi of the Rickson Gracie lineage. He has since opened two schools in the St Louis area (BJJ Lifestyle Academy), which are considered the preeminent competitive Jiu Jitsu schools in the area.


Kevin Dunn

Assistant Coach

BJJ Rank: Purple Belt

Other Practices: Wrestling

Kevin has seamlessly merged his many years of wrestling experience into his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu skillset to become a formidable opponent on the mats. He wrestled throughout high school and college, and coached high school wrestling for many years.


Kevin teaches the Wrestling for BJJ classes on Wednesday nights at Fathom. His curriculum will give you the skills to take down any opponent, while also improving your cardio and strength in the high-paced program he's developed.


Derek Bardill

Assistant Coach

BJJ Rank: Purple Belt

Other Practices: Wrestling

Derek has made use of his wrestling background to develop a well-rounded and imposing BJJ game. He has found great success in competition, and has quickly become an integral part of the Fathom coaching team.


Derek heads our Monday-Thursday noon classes, which are a great option for students with long lunch breaks or non-standard work schedules. He is an effective and enthusiastic teacher who will quickly bring you up to speed with his focus on BJJ fundamentals.




BJJ Lifestyle Academy Black Belts

Supplemental Coaches

Fathom has the benefit of being part of a team with 10 local black belts who regularly teach classes and seminars here in Highland. You will often find 4+ black belts at our open mats happy to give you advice!


The level and quality of training you will receive as part of our team is unmatched. Take advantage of the many years of knowledge, competition experience, and diversity of techniques our team has to offer and learn with the best of the best!

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