Roots — United in Growth, Grounded in Community

THIS IS ROOTS.

Roots started as two training partners who kept having the same conversation. We had spent years on mats around Columbus, first as students, then as coaches, and we knew what we would build if we ever built our own room. In 2025 the conversation got serious. It took until 2026 to open the doors. Westerville is Corey's hometown, and it needed a place with both Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai under one roof, so here we are.

The name is the idea. Roots grow slow and hold their ground. Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai are old arts with deep ones, and we pulled from the oldest parts we could find: the calm and discipline of classic Japanese martial arts culture, the loose, hard, family-run feel of old school Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and the attitude of the era we grew up in. The room is Pine and Bone, tatami and hardwood, kanji on the wall and a record on. Professional without being cold. Traditional without being stiff.

United in Growth. Four ideas hold the room together. Shoshin, the beginner's mind: come in curious, whatever your belt says. Heijoshin, equanimity: stay calm under pressure, on the mat and off it. Konjo, perseverance: stay the course, because the first two weeks are the hard ones. Yuki, courage: try the thing you are not good at yet. Nobody here has all four. Everybody here is working on them.

Grounded in Community. Roots is a third space: not work, not home, the place you go to be around your people. Kids, parents, first-timers and competitors share one floor and one set of rules. You will be welcomed on your first day and expected on your second.

Everyone here is still a beginner at something. Come be one with us.

HEAD INSTRUCTOR

COREY MEEKS

A Westerville native, Corey began his journey in combat sports through wrestling and developed a passion for MMA and boxing during high school. While attending college in California he discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2009.

 

After returning to Ohio, Corey began training full-time in 2010 and after seven months earned his first MMA win by submission in under a minute. From 2010 to 2016, he dedicated himself to MMA, eventually turning pro in 2014 while training and fighting out of Roufusport MMA Academy in Milwaukee, WI under the late, world-renowned coach Duke Roufus.

 

While rehabbing from an injury, Corey was presented with an opportunity that would eventually lead to a career in software. He gradually shifted his focus back to training and competing in Jiu Jitsu under Professor Vitor Oliveira of GFTeam and Ronin Training Center, where he also served as an assistant instructor from 2018 to 2023.

 

For the past 13 years, Corey has dreamed of creating his own training facility: a place where both youth and adults can train hard, develop their skills, and challenge themselves while being part of a community that values hard work, learning, and self-improvement through martial arts.

 

ACCOLADES:

• Former Professional Fighter

• Awarded BJJ Black Belt under Vitor Oliveira (2022)

• Pan Asian Champion (2019)

• Relentless Invitational 69kg Champion (2019)

• Arnold Sports Festival Champion (2018, 2019)

• Awarded Kickboxing Purple Belt under Duke Roufus (2015)

• Awarded Kentucky Bluegrass MMA Submission of the Year (2013)

• Multiple-time IBJJF Open Medalist

HEAD INSTRUCTOR

JACOB HOWARTH

A former collegiate wrestler and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt under Professor Vitor Oliveira, Jacob Howarth brings over two decades of grappling experience to Roots Jiu Jitsu & Muay Thai. His coaching blends the discipline of wrestling with the technical precision of Jiu Jitsu, emphasizing growth, humility, and strong fundamentals.

 

Outside the academy, Jacob is a full-time accountant who believes that the principles of martial arts (discipline, focus, and integrity) extend far beyond the mats. He and his wife Megan live in Hilliard, Ohio with their daughter Clancy and their two corgis, Cowboy and Bebop.

 

"Grappling has been the catalyst for my growth throughout life. The confidence that comes from consistent training, improving a little each day, naturally spills over into everything you do. The ability to face difficult challenges, stay composed under pressure, and embrace humility each time you tap out all work together to build true character."

 

- Jacob Howarth

 

ACCOLADES:

• 2x IBJJF No-Gi World Medalist (2021, 2024)

• 2x IBJJF No-Gi Pan-American Medalist (2021, 2022)

• IBJJF Pan-American Medalist, Gi (2020)

• ADCC Chicago Open Champion (2024)

• PGF Season 7 Team Champion (2024), $100K Grand Prize

• Main Character BJJ Team Champion (2024)

• 5x IBJJF Open Double Gold (Weight and Absolute)

• Former Collegiate Wrestler

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

NATHANAEL "NOODLE" SCHWARTZ

Nathanael Schwartz, "Nate the Noodle," is a purple belt out of Mendocino Jiu Jitsu who has been training since 2021 and competing on the IBJJF circuit almost every month since then. He took silver at the 2024 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship and the 2024 American National No-Gi Championship, and in 2025 and 2026 has medaled at Opens across the Midwest and South, including double gold at the 2026 Columbus Open. He is building toward Worlds in 2027 and pro no-gi events. At Roots, he coaches the adult Jiu Jitsu program.

Nathanael Schwartz with his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu medals

BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

TAI BLOCH

Former wrestler and purple belt under Vitor Oliveira. Blends stand-up, traditional Jiu Jitsu, and funk. Back home in Ohio for good.

  • Multiple-time IBJJF Open Champion and Medalist
  • Former Collegiate Wrestler
  • Division I OHSAA State Qualifier
  • Doctor of Occupational Therapy
Tai Bloch competing in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

MUAY THAI

DÍDIMO NETO ("KRU DEE")

Kru Dee (Dídimo Neto) has trained in martial arts since childhood, from Judo, Karate, Boxing, and Kung Fu to Muay Thai. He won municipal, state, and interstate titles in Kung Fu and became a national Muay Thai champion in Rio de Janeiro. He has taught Muay Thai since 2004, studying under coaches including Manop Yungyai, Gae, and Pairojnoi, and training in Thailand at 13 Coins and Luktupfah. He founded Black River Muay Thai and COAMAM, the Amazonas Muay Thai Refereeing Council, and has coached fighters in Muay Thai and MMA events across Brazil. A former member of the Brazilian Marine Corps, he has also taught combat to Amazonas Military Police special operations students and Brazil's Riverine Operations Battalion. At Roots, he leads the Muay Thai program, built on strong fundamentals, technical precision, and the belief that there is always something new to learn.

  • Muay Thai coach since 2004
  • National Muay Thai Champion (Rio de Janeiro)
  • Founder, Black River Muay Thai and COAMAM (Amazonas Muay Thai Refereeing Council)
  • Former Brazilian Marine Corps; combat instructor for Brazilian military and police special operations units
Dídimo Neto holding Muay Thai training pads

MUAY THAI

NICK COX

Born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Nick has always been obsessed with martial arts. What started as years of Karate classes eventually evolved into years of blood, sweat, and tears on the mats at Short North Muay Thai. Now, after more than a decade of training, teaching, and competition, Nick brings a unique blend of ring experience, fundamentals, and an all-around love of the game to the Roots teaching staff.

Nick Cox with his Muay Thai championship belt

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