Meet your Coaches

Anthony Pacinelli - Head Instructor

Tyler Held- Head Kids/Youth Instructor

Jason Johansen- Assistant Instructor

Abi Pacinelli- Guest Instructor

Jim Shan- Assistant Instructor

Jennifer Markward- Judo Instructor

Anthony Pacinelli

Anthony is a black belt with over a decade of experience. He originally started training with his sons, both of whom still train today. Anthony has a passion for coaching but has also been actively involved in the sport as a competitor and referee.

Career Highlights:

  • 2015 Pan American Silver Medallist

  • 2016 Pan American Bronze Medalist 

  • Over 10x IBJJF Gold Medalist, including New York, Atlanta, Washington DC

  • Over 50x IBJJF Medals including, Charlotte Las Vegas Boston

  • F2W Professional Jiu Jitsu Veteran 

  • Referee for IBJJF, F2W, Good Fight

  • Pennsylvania State MMA Official

Tyler Held

Tyler is a Purple belt and has been training and competing for over five years. After walking into a local Jiu-Jitsu gym ‘on a whim’ to check off an ‘easy goal’ of taking a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class, Tyler got hooked.  If there’s a class going on, you can find Tyler on the mats! Also Doctor of Sport and Performance Psychology, Tyler is passionate about sharing her love of the sport from both a technical and mental perspective. 

Career Highlights:

  • 2024 Gi Pan American Purple Belt Heavyweight Silver Medalist

  • 2023 NoGi Pan American Purple belt heavyweight silver medalist, open class bronze medalist

  • 2022 8x IBJJF Blue Belt Medallist (5 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)

  • Superfight wins at RJJC and Finishers SubOnly

  • Coach Jim is a Brown Belt who has been training for 8 years. Although most look at Jim and comment on his strength and size, Jim's passion for the technical side of Jiu-Jitsu sets him apart as both a practitioner and a coach. You can catch coach Jim at Open Mat on Sundays, teaching evening adult classes and even at the occasional kids class, where his daughter is a student.

  • Coach Jason is a Brown Belt who has been training for 7.5 years. His passion and commitment to the sport are shown in his consistent attendance to our 'Breakfast Club' as well as evening classes when he's bringing his crew of 5 kids that all train in our program. Jason is exactly what we stand for at BJJ Squared: love for the art and family! We are lucky to have Jason sharing his knowledge for classes of all levels and ages.

  • Abi is a black belt that has been training and competing for over eight years. She has experience on multiple competition stages and earned the nickname “Armbar Abs” for her impressive ability to finish armbars in competition. She has founded and lead multiple women’s programs and believes the sport of Jiu Jitsu should be accessible to anyone regardless of their gender, age, skill set or size.