Stephen Maxwell, better known as Steve Maxwell (December 3, 1952), is an American

fitness coach A personal trainer is an individual who creates and delivers safe and effective exercise programs for apparently healthy individuals and groups, or those with medical clearance to exercise. They motivate clients by collaborating to set goals, p ...

, physical educator, and

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

instructor. Maxwell was named one of the top 100 trainers in the United States by

Men's Journal ''Men's Journal'' is an American monthly men's lifestyle magazine focused on outdoor recreation and comprising editorials on the outdoors, environmental issues, health and fitness, style and fashion, and gear. It was founded in 1992 by Jann Wenne ...

Professional background

Maxwell was the first man to teach kettlebell classes in the United States. He holds a master's degree in Exercise Science from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. Maxwell trains professional athletes including players for the Phillies,

Dodgers The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...

, and

Eagles Eagle is the common name for many large birds of prey of the family Accipitridae. Eagles belong to several groups of genera, some of which are closely related. Most of the 68 species of eagle are from Eurasia and Africa. Outside this area, just ...

. He also has worked with various US Government agencies, including the DEA,

Secret Service A secret service is a government agency, intelligence agency, or the activities of a government agency, concerned with the gathering of intelligence data. The tasks and powers of a secret service can vary greatly from one country to another. For ...

, and FBI as well as many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies throughout the country. Maxwell travels around the world leading seminars in strength conditioning, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kettlebells, and joint mobility. Maxwell had owned and operated Maxercise Gym, in Philadelphia, PA for 16 years.

Grappling

Maxwell has a long history of competitive grappling. He wrestled competitively through high school and college, and then in the US Army. Maxwell became the first person certified to teach

Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ; pt, jiu-jitsu brasileiro ) is a self-defence martial art and combat sport based on grappling, ground fighting (ne-waza) and submission holds. BJJ focuses on the skill of taking an opponent to the ground, control ...

in the USA. He is the first American to earn a

black belt Black Belt may refer to: Martial arts * Black belt (martial arts), an indication of attainment of expertise in martial arts * ''Black Belt'' (magazine), a magazine covering martial arts news, technique, and notable individuals Places * Black B ...

from Relson Gracie.

Jiu-Jitsu accreditations

* 1997 National Purple Belt Champion GJJTA * 1998 Runner-up Purple Belt GJJTA * 1999 Purple Belt Pan American Champion * 2000 Brown Belt Senior World Champion * 2000 Brown Belt Senior Pan American Champion * 2001 Brown Belt Senior World Champion * 2002 Black Belt Senior Pan American Champion * 2002 Black Belt Senior World Champion * 2004

Black Belt Black Belt may refer to: Martial arts * Black belt (martial arts), an indication of attainment of expertise in martial arts * ''Black Belt'' (magazine), a magazine covering martial arts news, technique, and notable individuals Places * Black B ...

Senior Pan American Champion * 2006

Senior Pan American Champion

Personal life

Maxwell is the father of World Champion and four times Pan American Champion Zak Maxwell and his ex-wife DC Maxwell is also a black belt under Saulo Ribeiro with several tournament accomplishments.DC Maxwell
at Grappling Girls Guild

References

External links

Official Steve Maxwell Website

Steve Maxwell Founded Gym in Philadelphia

Gracie Academy Philadelphia competition team
{{DEFAULTSORT:Maxwell, Steve Living people 1952 births American exercise instructors American practitioners of Brazilian jiu-jitsu West Chester University alumni