Ethos Coaches
Changing Lives Through Jiu-Jitsu — One Roll at a Time
At Ethos Jiu-Jitsu, we exist for one reason: to help people grow. Whether you’re here to build confidence, get in shape, compete, or simply find a new challenge, our academy is a place where Jiu-Jitsu becomes a tool for real, lasting transformation.
As our founder, Wessley Johnson, says:
We are not in the business of Jiu-Jitsu — we are in the business of changing lives.
That belief shapes everything we do.
Wessley Johnson
Role at Ethos: Founder
Martial Arts Background: Black Belt in Karate with 10 years of training. Second Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 19 years of experience. Former professional MMA fighter with a 6–2 record and competitor in the UFC Tryouts (2009).
Coaching Experience: Coaching for over 15 years. Began teaching MMA at Titan MMA before launching family-focused Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes in 2014. Over the past 12 years, has grown the Ethos Group to support and teach over 500 students.
Coaching Philosophy: Always make it fun, memorable, and impactful — with the aim of genuinely changing lives.
Why Ethos: The energy at Ethos is infectious. We are known for our welcoming warmth and strong community, both on and off the mats.
“We are not in the business of Jiu-Jitsu — we are in the business of changing lives.”
Fun Fact: Professor Wessley is also a MOBO Award–winning music producer known as 2Play, with multiple top-ten hits worldwide.
Neto Ventura
Role at Ethos: Technical Director
Martial Arts Background: Began Judo at the age of eight. Fifth Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with over 36 years of experience.
Coaching Experience: Extensive teaching experience including training members of the Civil Police (CORE) of Rio de Janeiro. Spent five years working on large-scale programmes in Abu Dhabi with schools, police, and military, including participation in the world’s largest Jiu-Jitsu class (Guinness World Record). Former Administrative Director for the Ministry of Sports in Niterói for 12 years. Lived and worked in San Diego for six years and in Portugal for four years, with experience in private security. Travelled to 54 countries worldwide.
Coaching Philosophy: Living in the present moment, guided by respect, discipline, resilience, and love for family and others — finding peace and happiness in simple things.
Why Ethos: In Portuguese, Ethos represents ethics, morals, respect, common sense, and discipline — the foundations of a harmonious society.
Fun Fact: Master Neto passed all exams to become a police officer in London but chose to pause that path to contribute his experience to the growth of Ethos Jiu-Jitsu.
Thiago Vella de Freitas
Role at Ethos: Head Coach – Ethos Barnet
Martial Arts Background: Fifth Degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with over 32 years of training and more than 22 years as a black belt. Extensive experience in Jiu-Jitsu, self-defence, MMA, and weapons retention.
Coaching Experience: Over three decades immersed in Jiu-Jitsu, coaching students of all ages and abilities. Experienced in civilian self-defence, sport Jiu-Jitsu, MMA-based grappling, and real-world applications, while maintaining the core values of traditional Jiu-Jitsu.
Coaching Philosophy: There is no such thing as a bad student — only the need for the right teaching approach. Every individual learns differently, and the goal is to guide students to progress at their own pace while building confidence, resilience, and a strong mindset.
Why Ethos: Ethos represents everything Jiu-Jitsu should stand for — ethics, respect, discipline, and community — on and off the mats.
Fun Fact: Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Thiago is passionate about rock climbing, surfing, skateboarding, and horse riding.
Daniel Kedzierski
Role at Ethos: Head Coach / General Manager – Ethos Hertford
Martial Arts Background: Began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 in Poland. Continued training in England at the Roger Gracie Academy (London) and later at Gracie Barra Haringey under Professor Henrique Santana, who awarded him his black belt.
Coaching Experience: Over 10 years of coaching experience teaching children and adults. A two-time Gracie Barra UK Champion with gold in the absolute category. Experienced in group classes, private sessions, competition training, and supporting students with health, weight management, and mental health challenges.
Coaching Philosophy: Every student learns differently. The focus is on adapting teaching methods to help students progress confidently while building fitness, resilience, and a strong mindset for everyday life.
Why Ethos: Ethos allows a full commitment to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu while being part of a community built on shared values, energy, and purpose.
Fun Fact: Daniel is also a professional chef with 25 years of experience, most recently working at the National Gallery in London.
Martin Lukac
Role at Ethos: Coach
Martial Arts Background: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Wess Johnson and Wess Ephson. IBJJF European Champion 2025 (Master 3 Ultra-Heavy), multiple-time London Open and Open Class champion, and 2024 European Championship podium finisher.
Coaching Experience: Brings competition-tested knowledge into coaching, with a strong emphasis on fundamentals, pressure passing, leverage, and tactical decision-making. Actively competes in both weight and absolute divisions.
Coaching Philosophy: Building Jiu-Jitsu from the ground up through strong fundamentals, efficiency, and intelligent decision-making, while developing confidence, discipline, and resilience.
Why Ethos: Ethos is more than a gym — it is a culture of respect, accountability, and continuous growth.
Fun Fact: Originally from Slovakia, Martin actively competes in both his weight class and the absolute division.
Ebis “Coco” Oye
Role at Ethos: Coach
Martial Arts Background: Two years of MMA training (Muay Thai and Boxing) and over 10 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training on and off.
Coaching Experience: Assistant coach for children’s Jiu-Jitsu for over a year and coaching adult classes for the past nine months. Also brings over 14 years of experience coaching fitness and wellbeing.
Coaching Philosophy: Understanding each individual to help them develop the ability to protect themselves, progress confidently, and grow both physically and mentally.
Why Ethos: Ethos has supported Coco’s mental and physical growth while providing confidence, community, and a supportive environment with people from all walks of life.
Fun Fact: Coco is a qualified sports injury and deep tissue massage therapist and also enjoys singing and songwriting in her creative time.
More Than Martial Arts — A Path Forward
We’ve seen people walk through our doors feeling lost, stuck, or uncertain — and walk out stronger, clearer, and more confident. That’s the power of Jiu-Jitsu when it’s taught with purpose.
At Ethos Jiu-Jitsu, we’re not just developing grapplers.
We’re helping people become who they were meant to be.
Come train with us — and start building your Ethos.