About us / Instructors
Coach Elijah McCaughen has been relentlessly pursuing the Path of Martial Arts for more than 30 Years beginning his Martial Arts journey at the age of 15.
Coach Elijah studied a number of different Martial Arts over the years before finding Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Loyalist Martial Arts Academy in Belleville Ontario Canada.
In 2017 Coach Elijah helped ‘spear head’ the Children’s BJJ program at Loyalist Martial Arts Academy. This program was tremendously successful growing to over 60 students and continues being successful to this day.
In May of 2022, 2 of Coach Elijah’s Children – Solana and Talus both competed in the ‘Ontario Open’ in Toronto – The Largest and most prestigious BJJ Competition in Ontario, both bringing home Gold Medals in their divisions.
In June of 2022 Elijah was awarded his Black Belt in BJJ by Professors Ryan Kellar and Wayne Lainchbury in Belleville Ontario after having trained in BJJ for 10 and a half years.
As a Police Officer with the Ontario Provincial Police for 13 years, Elijah acquired additional training and experience in conflict resolution, subject apprehension and restraint as well as defensive tactics and firearms. In 2016 He was awarded the ‘Commissioners Citation for Bravery’.
In July of 2022 Coach Elijah and his Family decided to leave Canada and Immigrate to Florida to pursue his dream of being a Martial Arts Academy Owner, and offering BJJ to the community in which they settled – North Port.
Coach Elijah is excited to continue his role as a Coach and helping to empower both Children and Adults through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training!
Coach Solana
Coach Solana McCaughen has been trained in the Martial Arts by her Father literally since she was Born. As one of the Original Kids in the successful Loyalist Martial Arts BJJ Program for children, Solana was raised in the academy. She has competed successfully many times, becoming the ‘Ontario Champ’ at the Ontario Open in May of 2022 and most recently Coach Solana was a Bronze Medalist at the IBJJF Pan American Games in Orlando in March of 2023.
Solana was awarded her Blue Belt in BJJ in June of 2022 – a very rare accomplishment to receive it before her 16th Birthday. Solana has continued her BJJ training since re-locating to Florida and she is also on the North Port High School Varsity Wrestling Team where she is ‘Captain’ of the Girls Team.
She is excited to assist with Children’s program at Lion Up Martial Arts Academy and to continue her competitive career in BJJ along with working towards a College Scholarship in Wrestling.