Adult Instructors

  • Dylan Veitch

    Mr. Dylan Veitch is a color belt in our traditional system and a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since July of 2022. He began teaching in December, 2023.

    His favorite thing about martial arts is being a part of a community that is always striving for self-improvement.

    Instructor Veitch attended Lehigh University from 2014 - 2017 and earned BS & MS degrees in Environmental Engineering and now works as an environmental consultant with a focus in air quality and climate change.

    Outside of teaching, he has lots of hobbies including cooking, reading, and playing board/video games.

  • Jon Meade

    Mr. Jon Meade is a color belt in our traditional system, a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since 2020. He began teaching in 2021.

    His favorite thing about martial arts is being able to train with his kids.

    Instructor Meade attended Illinois Wesleyan University from 2000-2004 and now works in the pharmaceutical industry.

    Outside of teaching, he enjoys watching movies and spending time with his family.

  • Will Burn

    Mr. Will Burn is a color belt in our traditional system and a white belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since May, 2021. He began teaching in 2023.

    His favorite things about martial arts are learning and teaching.

    He works as a cloud-ops engineer for Everops.

    Outside of teaching, he is in the process of writing his first novel set in ancient Gaul.

  • Jim Hammen

    Bio coming soon

  • Leif Nesheim

    Mr. Leif Nesheim is a color belt in our traditional system and a blue belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training at Wisconsin Martial Arts & Fitness Center since February, 2022. He began teaching in January, 2024. Years ago he studied Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but forgot most of what he knew and so was glad his daughter, Sylvia, insisted he start studying martial arts with her.

    His favorite thing about martial arts is sharing an activity with her.

    Instructor Nesheim graduated from Madison East High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison from 1992-1998, where he earned undergraduate degrees in English and Theatre & Drama and a Master’s degree in Journalism. He also earned a graduate certificate in social media and marketing from the University of Nebraska in 2019.

    After years working as a community journalist in Western Washington State, he now works as a corporate journalist and special projects manager, writing newsletters and safety guides for Fortune 500 companies.

    Outside of teaching, he enjoys travel, camping and hiking.

  • Kade Coolidge

    Mr. Kade Coolidge started training at WI-MAFC under Instructor Dean in 2019 and has since earned his blue belt in jiu-jitsu and is a color belt in our traditional system. He has been primarily leading Juniors at the West location for over a year and taking a supporting role in various other classes as available.

    Mr. Coolidge often shares how much he values the healthy, honest, and hard-working environment cultivated by the instructors, students, and community alike.

    Off the mat, he will be seen leading teams as a General Manager across various Culver’s in the greater Madison area.

    When not working, he takes serious personal responsibility to be a life-long learner in every facet possible to better support his wife, community, church, and future family.

Junior Instructors

  • Simon Akins

    Mr. Simon Akins is a color belt in our Traditional system and an orange belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since 2020. He began teaching in 2023.

    His favorite thing about martial arts is that it encourages peaceful solutions and self-control. Outside of teaching, he hangs out with his friends.

  • Eliza Keogh

    Ms. Eliza Keogh is a color belt in our traditional system and a yellow-orange belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since fall, 2021.

    They began teaching in 2023. Their favorite thing about martial arts is getting to guide the Little Tigers.

    Outside of teaching, they enjoy playing Taylor Swift songs on the piano and practicing Mandarin Chinese.

  • Eliza Mogg

    Ms. Eliza Mogg is a color belt in our traditional system, a yellow-orange belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since May, 2022. She began teaching in 2024.

    Her favorite thing about martial arts is learning new things and matching against others.

  • Clara Kasper

    Ms. Clara Kasper is a color belt in our traditional system, a white belt in jiu-jitsu, and has been training since early 2023.

    She began teaching in late 2023. Her favorite thing about martial arts is weapon forms. Outside of teaching, she learns Chinese at school.