Rowan: Finding Purpose Through BJJ

Rowan Lovett, a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt, has spent most of his life in Galway, Ireland, though he originally hails from Portland, Dorset, UK. His journey into martial arts began in the most unexpected way—when a friend showed him UFC 1 event. That one night ignited a spark, and Rowan was hooked.

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He started with Muay Thai and MMA, even stepping into the ring for a few fights. But when he found BJJ in 2013, everything clicked. It was one of those rare, life-changing “aha” moments. Rowan had discovered something he was truly passionate about—a discipline he knew would stay with him for life.

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Training under Eduardo Santoro’s black belt Michel ‘Durinho’ Da Silva, Rowan not only learned the techniques of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but embraced it as a way of life. Through years of dedication, competing, and teaching, he earned his brown belt and found his purpose: sharing the transformative power of BJJ with others.

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Rowan’s teaching goes beyond technique. He believes in tailoring every student’s journey, creating custom progression plans to suit their unique goals. Whether you’re a beginner learning your first submission or an experienced competitor preparing for a tournament, Rowan is there to guide you.

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For Rowan, BJJ is more than a sport—it’s a community, a source of confidence, and a tool for self-discovery. It’s helped him find purpose, build lifelong friendships, and connect with people from all walks of life. Now, he’s dedicated to helping others find the same joy, strength, and sense of belonging on the mats.

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If you’re ready to challenge yourself, discover a supportive community, or fall in love with a martial art, Coach Rowan is here to show you how BJJ can change your life—just like it changed his.

Denis: 30 Years of Martial Arts

Martial arts saved Denis—and he’s spent the last 30 years perfecting his craft to help others find the same strength and freedom it gave him.

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Growing up as a bullied, socially awkward kid, Denis turned to martial arts to survive. Over time, those early lessons in self-discipline and confidence shaped him into someone who could handle anything life threw at him. Martial arts weren’t just his escape; they became his foundation.

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Fast forward three decades, and Denis has done it all—Kung Fu, Muay Thai (his first fight was back in 1996!), Wing Chun, Kyokushin Karate, Boxing, Kempo Jujitsu (brown belt), and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (purple belt). He even stepped into the cage for three professional MMA fights because MMA, to Denis, is the closest you can get to real-life self-defense.

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But Denis doesn’t just train. He tests. With 25 years in private security, Denis put everything he learned to work—building systems, handling conflict, and protecting people. He’s seen wild situations most of us can’t imagine, and through it all, he’s refined a practical, no-nonsense approach to martial arts that actually works when it matters most.

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And here’s the best part: Denis is obsessed with sharing what he’s learned. He’s not some guru—he’s a coach who knows what it’s like to struggle. That’s why he’s especially passionate about helping teenagers find their confidence and turn their lives around, just like he did.

Whether you’re here to learn self-defense, challenge yourself, or just have fun, Denis will guide you every step of the way.

Zlata: The Person Behind the Camera Lens

While I may not be on the mats, I’m just as passionate about martial arts and what Monarch Jiu Jitsu represents. As the manager, I handle everything from content creation and marketing to writing, organizing, and keeping the wheels turning behind the scenes. With a background in marketing, photography, and videography, I’m also the one behind the camera, capturing all the moments that make Monarch so special.

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My goal is to make sure that every person who walks through our doors feels welcomed and informed, and that the gym runs as smoothly as possible. Whether it’s helping spread the word about our classes, building a community online, or planning events, I’m here to support our amazing coaches and students.

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I’m also our students’ biggest cheerleader—because seeing how people’s lives change for the better is the most rewarding thing ever. At Monarch Jiu Jitsu, we believe in creating a space where everyone feels like they belong, and I’m proud to be a part of making that happen.