Our Week at a Glance!

Forged in discipline and guided by purpose, Coach Melissa “Coach P” Thompson is the Founder of Freya Jiu Jitsu, Lead Coach of all  Jiu Jitsu classes, and Lead Kids Coach for Muay Thai. She leads as the shield bearer of the academy, setting the standard through action, consistency, and unbreakable resolve.

Freya Jiu Jitsu was built on the belief that the mats are a proving ground. Under Coach P’s direction, students are taught not only how to fight, but how to endure. Her approach to Jiu Jitsu is rooted in fundamentals, pressure, and control, valuing patience and precision over chaos. Every technique is intentional. Every round has purpose.

As Lead Jiu Jitsu Coach, Coach P shapes athletes through structure and accountability. She is relentless in pursuit of technical excellence and deeply committed to the long road of mastery. Progress is earned, not given. Strength is built rep by rep, round by round.

As Lead Kids Coach for Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu, she is a fierce protector of the next generation. Coach P teaches children discipline before dominance, respect before power, and confidence without arrogance. Her programs are designed to forge resilient young warriors who stand tall on and off the mats, grounded in discipline and guided by honor.

Coach P leads with calm authority and unwavering standards. She does not demand loyalty. She earns it. Her presence is steady, her expectations clear, and her commitment absolute.

This is not just training.
This is forging character in fire.
This is strength earned the hard way.

⚔️ Creed: Stand firm. Learn deeply. Never quit the fight.

Founder & Head Coach, Berserker Muay Thai
Head MMA Coach, Nine Realms MMA
Former Professional Muay Thai Fighter | Two-Time Amateur Muay Thai Title Holder

Ajarn Josh Thompson is the founder and Head Coach of Berserker Muay Thai and the Head MMA Coach at Nine Realms MMA. A former professional Muay Thai fighter and two-time amateur Muay Thai title holder, Josh brings firsthand competitive experience into every aspect of his coaching.

With more than 20 years of experience in striking and over 15 years of coaching and developing martial artists, he has dedicated his career to preserving the traditions and techniques of authentic Muay Thai while applying them effectively to modern competition, MMA, and practical self-defense.

Before dedicating himself fully to coaching and developing the next generation of martial artists, Josh tested his skills in competition himself. His experience as both a championship-level amateur and professional Muay Thai fighter gives him a perspective that cannot be learned from technique alone. He understands the preparation, discipline, pressure, strategy, and mindset required to step into the ring and compete.

That experience now shapes the way he develops his students and fighters.

Throughout his coaching career, Ajarn Josh has worked with students of all ages and experience levels, from individuals stepping onto the mats for the first time to experienced athletes preparing for competition. His coaching style is rooted in technical precision, attention to detail, strong fundamentals, intelligent strategy, and consistency.

For Ajarn Josh, coaching extends far beyond punches, kicks, knees, and elbows. He believes martial arts should develop the person as much as the fighter. His students are taught discipline, respect, humility, accountability, perseverance, and the importance of doing the work even when no one is watching.

Whether helping a beginner develop confidence, teaching a child the fundamentals of martial arts, or preparing a fighter to step into the ring or cage, Ajarn Josh approaches every student with the same goal: help them become better than they were yesterday.

Under his leadership, Berserker Muay Thai has developed successful competitors while building a welcoming, family-focused culture where students can train seriously, challenge themselves, and still feel like part of a team.

Ajarn Josh believes Muay Thai is for everyone. Some students come to compete. Others come for fitness, confidence, discipline, self-defense, or simply to challenge themselves. Regardless of why they walk through the door, every student is given the opportunity to learn, improve, and discover what they are capable of.

His mission is simple:

Build skilled martial artists. Develop strong character. Create a community where hard work, respect, discipline, and perseverance are lived every day.

 Meet Professor Timothy Morthland serves as the direct Black Belt for Freya Jiu Jitsu, providing leadership, guidance, and support to our academy and its students.

He has trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for 17 years and earned his Black Belt under Professor Rick Bateman of OBX Martial Arts/Megalodon. His martial arts journey began in wrestling, and he remains active in the sport as a youth wrestling coach in Central Illinois.

Professor Tim has more than 13 years of experience in the combat sports industry and has spent the past nine years operating FUJI BJJ tournaments. He currently serves as a Franchise Owner of FUJI BJJ, where he works to create organized, competitive, and welcoming events for athletes of all ages and experience levels.

His dedication to Jiu Jitsu extends far beyond competition. Professor Tim is passionate about supporting students, strengthening academies, and building lasting relationships throughout the martial arts community. Freya Jiu Jitsu is proud to have him as our direct Black Belt and an important part of our academy’s leadership and lineage.