The Academy MN Children’s Programs
6840 Shingle Creek Pkwy, #24, Brooklyn Center, MN 55430
About
The Academy MN Children’s Programs offer training in kickboxing, Jiu Jitsu, mixed martial arts (MMA), personal training, self defense lessons, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, boxing, Judo, wrestling, JKD, and Filipino Kali. The Academy MN has 2 classrooms with over 70 times each week when people train in these disciplines.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The Academy MN was founded in 1992 by Greg Nelson. Greg Nelson is the Academy's Head Coach, is a 5th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and has been a coach to 4 UFC Champions. He began formal martial arts training in 1984 and was originally a wrestler. Instructors at The Academy MN are described as certified to teach in their disciplines, with many having traveled, trained, and competed all over the world, and they have experience working with students of all ages and abilities. The coaching staff comes from a variety of martial arts and continues their education in various martial arts disciplines.
The school motto is “Opera non Verba – Deeds Not Words.” The organization states that it believes in a growth mindset and describes meeting each problem as a challenge that has a solution as core to its culture. The Academy focuses on developing high quality martial artists who follow what it describes as a path of self-discipline and love.
The Academy MN is described as the “#1 Martial Arts gym in MN,” and its coaching staff includes individuals with extensive international competition and training experience. It offers classes in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, boxing, Judo, wrestling, JKD, and Filipino Kali, and has developed a sparring culture focused on safety and keeping students in a learning zone. Classes are described as safe and game-like, with team spirit and camaraderie, and programs are described as being for fitness, self-defense, and fun, including total body workouts with cardio, flexibility, and strength. The Academy is described as specializing in beginner students, welcoming everyone, training like a huge martial arts family, and taking people as far as they want to go. It also states that if the school is not right for a prospective student, staff will talk them out of joining.
The Academy reports having representatives as far away as Barcelona, Columbia, Portugal, Latvia, and across the upper Midwest, and regularly has students visiting from other countries and across the USA because of the level of coaching provided. Public testimonials include comments from Joe Rogan, who states that “Greg Nelson is one of the best trainers in the game,” and David Leitch, who states that working with Greg Nelson has had a “profound impact” on his stunt and action directing career. Additional testimonials describe an encouraging atmosphere and personal changes noticed by family members after beginning training at The Academy.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The Academy MN was founded in 1992 by Greg Nelson. Greg Nelson is the Academy's Head Coach, is a 5th Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, and has been a coach to 4 UFC Champions. He began formal martial arts training in 1984 and was originally a wrestler. Instructors at The Academy MN are described as certified to teach in their disciplines, with many having traveled, trained, and competed all over the world, and they have experience working with students of all ages and abilities. The coaching staff comes from a variety of martial arts and continues their education in various martial arts disciplines.
The school motto is “Opera non Verba – Deeds Not Words.” The organization states that it believes in a growth mindset and describes meeting each problem as a challenge that has a solution as core to its culture. The Academy focuses on developing high quality martial artists who follow what it describes as a path of self-discipline and love.
The Academy MN is described as the “#1 Martial Arts gym in MN,” and its coaching staff includes individuals with extensive international competition and training experience. It offers classes in Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, MMA, boxing, Judo, wrestling, JKD, and Filipino Kali, and has developed a sparring culture focused on safety and keeping students in a learning zone. Classes are described as safe and game-like, with team spirit and camaraderie, and programs are described as being for fitness, self-defense, and fun, including total body workouts with cardio, flexibility, and strength. The Academy is described as specializing in beginner students, welcoming everyone, training like a huge martial arts family, and taking people as far as they want to go. It also states that if the school is not right for a prospective student, staff will talk them out of joining.
The Academy reports having representatives as far away as Barcelona, Columbia, Portugal, Latvia, and across the upper Midwest, and regularly has students visiting from other countries and across the USA because of the level of coaching provided. Public testimonials include comments from Joe Rogan, who states that “Greg Nelson is one of the best trainers in the game,” and David Leitch, who states that working with Greg Nelson has had a “profound impact” on his stunt and action directing career. Additional testimonials describe an encouraging atmosphere and personal changes noticed by family members after beginning training at The Academy.
Last updated June 28, 2026.
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