About
Glacier Combat Arts offers training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Sambo, MMA, Dutch Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, HEMA (Historical European Martial Arts), Kickboxing, and self-defense. Classes are taught by instructors with backgrounds in combat sports, military service, and traditional martial arts, including certified black belts in several disciplines.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: 1-week free trial available
• Price: HERO Discount: 20% off for military personnel, first responders, and veterans; Family Discount for additional family members (amount not specified)
Glacier Combat Arts describes itself as a highly competitive martial arts school rooted in self-defense training, with a focus on real-world applications, discipline, and a competitive atmosphere. The school states that it emphasizes self-defense first and competition second, and that it is not a place some would consider politically correct and students are not coddled. It is described as one of the only places in Washington to offer Sambo and is powered by Kicksite.
Founder and head instructor Ken Dunbar began training in martial arts in 1995, served in the Marines from 2002 to 2007, and started the school in his parents’ front yard in 2008. Glacier Combat Arts expanded significantly when co-owner and women’s and kids’ instructor Lindsey Schroedel joined in 2021. The leadership team includes Ken Dunbar (Founder and Head Instructor), Lindsey Schroedel (Co-Owner – Women & Kids Instructor), Kano Melvin (BJJ Instructor), Andy Dodd (Judo Instructor), Arthur J Raymond III (HEMA Instructor), Devon Goda (Kickboxing Instructor / Kickboxing Consultant), Kyuss Mano (Kids Instructor and Co-Instructor), Ryan St Jean (SAMBO Instructor), and Mathew Bermudez (Hispanic Community Liaison Kids Coach).
All coaches are described as having been “in the trenches,” either fighting competitively or serving in the military. Ken Dunbar is a Marine veteran, West Coast Director for SAMBO League, a black belt in SAMBO via the Sila Voli affiliation, a brown belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a black belt in BJJ under Marcelo Alonso by way of Kano Melvin, and holds a Kickboxing Coaching Certificate. Lindsey Schroedel is an Army veteran, a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, and serves as a women’s and kids’ instructor. Kano Melvin is a black belt in BJJ under Marcelo Alonso and a former wrestler with numerous traditional martial arts ranks. Andy Dodd is a 3rd degree black belt in Judo (Kodokan ranked), a purple belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, a former MMA/NHB competitor and wrestler, an Army veteran, and is registered with the United States Judo Association and the Kodokan Judo Headquarters in Tokyo. Devon Goda is an AMC-trained kickboxer, Alive MMA trained striker, fight sports analyst and strategist, with 30 years of involvement in fight sports. Kyuss Mano is a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, an orange belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a green belt in SAMBO under Ken Dunbar, a student-instructor, and a certified personal trainer. Ryan St Jean is a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, an orange belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a brown belt in SAMBO under Ken Dunbar, a student-instructor, an Army veteran, and holds a degree in education.
The school states that its programs focus heavily on real-life application, discipline, and fostering a winning spirit that carries into all classes. It describes its instructors as passionate about helping students grow, pushing each student to reach their full potential, and providing an effective structured experience with real-world applications. Ken Dunbar’s stated belief is that everyone should be a complete martial artist, understanding weapons, striking, and grappling, and he approaches instruction from a self-defense first, competition second perspective. Lindsey Schroedel’s stated goal is to spread what she describes as the transformative and healing effect of jiu-jitsu to as many people as she can and to make Glacier a place for both fighters and non-fighters to enjoy and grow in.
Glacier Combat Arts notes that it welcomes surrounding communities such as Rochester and Napavine/Napa Vine and that its community extends past the mats. The facility is described as having state-of-the-art equipment and clean, spacious training areas.
Parent and student comments posted on Facebook include statements that it is an “awesome place to train” and that instructor Ken Dunbar has “a great ability to motivate his students to get the best out of them.” One parent notes that “Ken is an amazing instructor and so good with all the kids” and that their child “is learning so much and looks forward to these classes each week.” Other comments mention that Ken “made sure my technique and form was good before teaching me something new,” that instructors are receptive to questions and provide recommendations on techniques and supplemental written materials, and that “Ken is extremely technical and has a no nonsense straight forward approach.” Another parent reports that “the overall vibe is great” and that their child is “bringing home new knowledge every time and more importantly he is enjoying himself while learning.” One adult student describes Ken as “a dedicated and passionate professional” who “made me feel at ease and helped me understand how/why these techniques work.”
Last updated February 28, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: 1-week free trial available
• Price: HERO Discount: 20% off for military personnel, first responders, and veterans; Family Discount for additional family members (amount not specified)
Glacier Combat Arts describes itself as a highly competitive martial arts school rooted in self-defense training, with a focus on real-world applications, discipline, and a competitive atmosphere. The school states that it emphasizes self-defense first and competition second, and that it is not a place some would consider politically correct and students are not coddled. It is described as one of the only places in Washington to offer Sambo and is powered by Kicksite.
Founder and head instructor Ken Dunbar began training in martial arts in 1995, served in the Marines from 2002 to 2007, and started the school in his parents’ front yard in 2008. Glacier Combat Arts expanded significantly when co-owner and women’s and kids’ instructor Lindsey Schroedel joined in 2021. The leadership team includes Ken Dunbar (Founder and Head Instructor), Lindsey Schroedel (Co-Owner – Women & Kids Instructor), Kano Melvin (BJJ Instructor), Andy Dodd (Judo Instructor), Arthur J Raymond III (HEMA Instructor), Devon Goda (Kickboxing Instructor / Kickboxing Consultant), Kyuss Mano (Kids Instructor and Co-Instructor), Ryan St Jean (SAMBO Instructor), and Mathew Bermudez (Hispanic Community Liaison Kids Coach).
All coaches are described as having been “in the trenches,” either fighting competitively or serving in the military. Ken Dunbar is a Marine veteran, West Coast Director for SAMBO League, a black belt in SAMBO via the Sila Voli affiliation, a brown belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a black belt in BJJ under Marcelo Alonso by way of Kano Melvin, and holds a Kickboxing Coaching Certificate. Lindsey Schroedel is an Army veteran, a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, and serves as a women’s and kids’ instructor. Kano Melvin is a black belt in BJJ under Marcelo Alonso and a former wrestler with numerous traditional martial arts ranks. Andy Dodd is a 3rd degree black belt in Judo (Kodokan ranked), a purple belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, a former MMA/NHB competitor and wrestler, an Army veteran, and is registered with the United States Judo Association and the Kodokan Judo Headquarters in Tokyo. Devon Goda is an AMC-trained kickboxer, Alive MMA trained striker, fight sports analyst and strategist, with 30 years of involvement in fight sports. Kyuss Mano is a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, an orange belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a green belt in SAMBO under Ken Dunbar, a student-instructor, and a certified personal trainer. Ryan St Jean is a blue belt in BJJ under Kano Melvin, an orange belt in Judo under Andy Dodd, a brown belt in SAMBO under Ken Dunbar, a student-instructor, an Army veteran, and holds a degree in education.
The school states that its programs focus heavily on real-life application, discipline, and fostering a winning spirit that carries into all classes. It describes its instructors as passionate about helping students grow, pushing each student to reach their full potential, and providing an effective structured experience with real-world applications. Ken Dunbar’s stated belief is that everyone should be a complete martial artist, understanding weapons, striking, and grappling, and he approaches instruction from a self-defense first, competition second perspective. Lindsey Schroedel’s stated goal is to spread what she describes as the transformative and healing effect of jiu-jitsu to as many people as she can and to make Glacier a place for both fighters and non-fighters to enjoy and grow in.
Glacier Combat Arts notes that it welcomes surrounding communities such as Rochester and Napavine/Napa Vine and that its community extends past the mats. The facility is described as having state-of-the-art equipment and clean, spacious training areas.
Parent and student comments posted on Facebook include statements that it is an “awesome place to train” and that instructor Ken Dunbar has “a great ability to motivate his students to get the best out of them.” One parent notes that “Ken is an amazing instructor and so good with all the kids” and that their child “is learning so much and looks forward to these classes each week.” Other comments mention that Ken “made sure my technique and form was good before teaching me something new,” that instructors are receptive to questions and provide recommendations on techniques and supplemental written materials, and that “Ken is extremely technical and has a no nonsense straight forward approach.” Another parent reports that “the overall vibe is great” and that their child is “bringing home new knowledge every time and more importantly he is enjoying himself while learning.” One adult student describes Ken as “a dedicated and passionate professional” who “made me feel at ease and helped me understand how/why these techniques work.”
Last updated February 28, 2026.
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