THE RED CORNER
NEWS AND UPDATES FROM THE NORTH STAR ACADEMY OF MIXED MARTIAL ARTS
WEEK OF OCTOBER 5th, 2026
Happy Sunday team!
I’m sending this out early to give you a heads up on the guest instructor lineup this week. We’ve gathered a Dream Team of coaches to fill in for my classes while I’m out studying BJJ. Details below!
This past week saw two special events hit the academy — Olympian Kyle Vashkulat ran an incredible Judo workshop on Tuesday, and Saturday we had the entire tri-state Muay Thai community come out for our 2026 PRO/AM event. We have a ton of great media in the pipeline for both events so stay posted! Most of this will wind up on our Instagram and Facebook pages so make sure to give them a follow!
Don’t forget — under the signature on every newsletter is a list of resources, including our Fit Jitsu stripe challenges, the Monday Mindset article, and student resources.
This week I’ll be out of town — after morning classes tomorrow, I’m heading to an intensive Jiu Jitsu five day training workshop focused on leglocks, working with some of the absolute best to ever do it (including 2026 ADCC winner Pawel Jaworski). Can’t wait!
However we have some incredible guest coaches stepping in. These are some of the top coaches in the Philadelphia area, all coming in this week to work with the team. You guys are some lucky ducks! Check it out:
- Monday Striking 201 @ 6:00pm: Kru Derek Kenney of Burning Spirits Muay Thai in Fishtown, Philadelphia.
- Monday No Gi Jiu Jitsu @ 7:30pm: Kate Egan of Gracie Humaita in Queens Village, Philadelphia (coming off a gold medal performance at this past weekend’s IBJJF Pans in her black belt division!)
- Wednesday Striking 201 @ 6:00pm: Coach Charlie Cottone of 8 Limbs Muay Thai in West Philadelphia.
- Wednesday No Gi Wrestling @ 7:30pm: Coach Max Tannenbaum returns for his second North Star Wrestling Club appearance.
- Friday Striking All Levels @ 9:00am: Coach Gianna Vadino of North Star
- Friday Gi BJJ @ 10:00am: Open Mat
All classes are on this week despite my absence, including all youth classes. I will be somewhat available all week, so if you need anything just let me know. But obviously, the sooner the better!
See you back on the mats in a week!
–Coach Jackson
Important Resources: