Our Team
Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Tang Soo Do, Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors. Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.
Karate Instructors
Mr. Joe has been involved with Martial Arts for over 30 Years. He is a veteran Black Belt and has shown great leadership since the day he showed up with his son Garrett and his loving wife Victoria. He is a 4th Degree Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do.
Mr. Robert is a 4th Degree Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do. Mr. Robert assists with lower ranking Jr. classes. His daughter Italia is also a black belt in our school.
Heather Aguliar is a dedicated and skilled martial artist with a 1st degree blackbelt in American Tang Soo Do. She has been an integral part of our team for the past 4 years, bringing her expertise and passion to every class. For the last 2 years, Heather has successfully managed our afterschool program at Savannah Christian, earning the respect and admiration of both students and parents. We are thrilled to have her continue her exceptional work at our new Effingham Martial Arts location.
Miguel is a 3rd Degree Blackbelt in American Tang Soo Do and is currently working towards his Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Miguel is always willing to help and is a very hard worker on and off the mat. Miguel is finishing out his Senior year of high school before he starts instructing full time. When he is not teaching martial arts, you can find him working on cars or hanging out with his friends and family.
Krav Maga Instructors
Chief Krav Maga Instructor | General Manager, America’s Best Martial Arts
Level 3 Kalah Instructor | U.S. Head Instructor – Kalah Combat Systems
2nd Dan Krav Maga | Brown Belt, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Joseph Bouchard brings a powerful combination of elite military experience, advanced martial arts expertise, and leadership to his role as Chief Krav Maga Instructor and General Manager at America’s Best Martial Arts. With over 21 years of decorated service in the United States Army—including time in the prestigious 75th Ranger Regiment—Joseph’s background is defined by high-stakes leadership, battlefield-tested skill, and an uncompromising standard of excellence.
Joseph’s martial arts journey mirrors his military excellence. He holds a 2nd Dan Black Belt in Krav Maga under the American Krav Maga Federation and is recognized as a Chief Force Instructor within the organization. His ground game is equally formidable, holding a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sergio Machado. As a Level 3 Kalah Instructor and the official U.S. Head Instructor for Kalah Combat Systems, Joseph delivers a raw, realistic, and principle-driven approach to violence prevention and survival under extreme threat.
His resume is extensive and elite. Joseph is certified in Special Operations Krav Maga (S.O.K.M.), the Special Operations Combatives Program (S.O.C.P.), and is a Master Instructor in pistol, rifle, and shotgun through Sig Sauer Academy. He also holds advanced credentials in Active Shooter Response, Assault Readiness and Master Breaching , making him one of the most well-rounded and battle-prepared instructors in the field.
Whether training civilians, coaching law enforcement, or mentoring his staff, Joseph instills discipline, grit, and the mindset required to survive real violence. Under his leadership, America’s Best Martial Arts has become more than a school—it’s a mission-driven training ground where people are transformed into protectors.
Credentials at a Glance
Martial Arts & Combatives:
- 2nd Dan Black Belt, Krav Maga (AKMF)
- Brown Belt, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (under Sergio Machado)
- Level 3 Certified / U.S. Head Instructor, Kalah Combat Systems
- Chief Force Instructor – American Krav Maga Federation
- S.O.K.M. – Special Operations Krav Maga Instructor
- S.O.C.P. – Special Operations Combative Program Instructor
- Additional Instructor Certifications: Knife Defense, Tactical Pistol Combatives, Ground Survival
Firearms & Tactical:
- Sig Sauer Master Instructor – Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun
- Active Shooter Response Instructor – Sig Sauer Academy
- Assault Readiness Course (A.R.C.) Instructor
- Tactical Shooting Technologies – Jerry Barnhardt Program
- 75th Ranger Regiment Master Breacher
In the early summer of 2020, Stormy stepped onto the mat to train in Krav Maga. She is currently a 1st Degree Black Belt and loves the empowerment and confidence she has gained. During her time as one of the original Savannah Derby Devils, she discovered she had a strong affinity for aggressive sports. After her glory days on the rink, she began exploring training methods that pushed her physical and mental limits; she greatly enjoys the challenge. In late 2020, she began the program 75 Hard. She says that the self-directed program of 75 Hard, combined with Krav Maga, has greatly changed her life. She is a mother of three spunky children who all train at Pooler Karate in Tang Soo Do and Jiu-Jitsu. Pooler Karate has become her family's home away from home.
BJJ Instructors
Kelley is currently a Brown Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Sergio Machado. She trains every day and works hard with our Junior BJJ program. Kelley is also a mother to three beautiful children who all train in Jiu-Jitsu and karate. Mrs. Bouchard also has a passion for physical fitness, she currently has clients all over Georgia and enjoys giving them personal training and nutritional health.
Many men purchase a sports car during their mid-life crisis, but in 2015 - at 43 years old - James became one of Carson’s first BJJ students at Pooler Karate. Although, starting later in life than most BJJ beginners, James developed a passion helping kids and adults improve their BJJ principles and techniques. He grew up in Weaverville, NC and has lived in Savannah since 2012. James has been married to his wife/best friend Michele and they have 2 amazing sons – Connor and Garrett. He works for Kraton Chemical in Savannah as the Supply Chain Manager
Taylor started her martial arts journey 20 years ago! She earned a 3rd degree black belt in TaeKwonDo before taking a few years off. She started training BJJ at this location in September 2019 and currently has her purple belt. Since joining the office team, she’s started training in Tang Soo Do and Krav Maga as well, with the goal of being the first woman at the gym to have all three black belts. When she’s not at Pooler Karate you can find her hanging out with her wife and two furbabies, probably playing video games or watching The Office.
Muay Thai Instructors
Thomas “Tex” Grissom’s journey in martial arts began at just six years old with Taekwondo. Within a few years, he had earned his Junior Black Belt and was already drawn to the deeper discipline and challenge martial arts offered. Inspired by the UFC, he began exploring other fighting styles, eventually training under respected coaches like Juan Martinez (jiu-jitsu/judo) and the late Leon Aragon, who coached numerous professional fighters including Paul Buentello.
As Tex immersed himself further into combat sports, Muay Thai quickly became a foundational part of his training. He was drawn to its raw intensity and the way it demanded both physical grit and technical precision. Before launching his professional career, Tex competed in sanda, kickboxing, grappling, smokers—and incorporated traditional Muay Thai into his striking game to prepare for the cage. His professional MMA journey began at just 20 years old, earning “Submission of the Night” in his debut fight. He went on to compete in ten fights, finishing with a 7–3 record. At the height of his momentum, he was being groomed for the UFC.
But after a series of injuries and five surgeries, his fighting career was halted. Doctors told him he’d never fight—or even train—again. Still, despite the odds, he eventually found his way back to the sport that had shaped his identity.
In 2017, after a long hiatus, he re-entered the world of martial arts in Lubbock, TX, training under Coach Anselmo Martinez. He soon found himself teaching, mentoring fighters, and even competing again in grappling, kickboxing, and Muay Thai matches. Tex credits his growth not only to victories but especially to his losses—calling them his most valuable fights.
Now living in Springfield, GA, Tex serves as a firefighter for Effingham County Fire Rescue and coaches Muay Thai at Pooler Karate. For him, martial arts isn’t just a sport—it’s a lifelong path that has shaped his character, his resilience, and his purpose.
For over 35 years Tex has trained in: Taekwondo, jiu-jitsu, boxing, judo, Muay Thai, wrestling, and kickboxing.
Office Staff
Tess has been training at Pooler Karate since 2019 and currently trains in Karate and Jiu-Jitsu. She is currently a 2nd Degree in Tang Soo Do and is working towards her 3rd Degree. Outside of work she likes to listen to music, play video games, and spend time with her cats.
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