Introduction

Hi, my name is Luke Rinehart and I am the owner of the Clinch Academy. Let me say first that you have made a good decision to visit our site and consider our school as the place for you to train. There are many schools out there today that are great schools to train so let me tell you what makes our school unique in comparison. I have been training in different martial arts for over 20 years. One thing I have learned to value through the years is that martial arts are indeed an art. I have been an artist all my life but it took me many years to truly understand martial arts as a true art. Art is simply expression. Just like a painter beautifies a canvas or a musician creates a beautiful melody we too should be expressing something beautiful.

Martial arts is meant to be pure but can easily be perverted into something violent. I believe that each artist should eventually create his own interpretation while striving to keep it pure. This is exactly what I have done with my martial arts training. I have created my own interpretation of the arts and now I am sharing it with others and guiding them to do the same. Just like all the true masters I am still exploring the possibilities. Look at Bruce Lee who made a huge impact on the martial arts world or the Gracie family who did the same. They expressed themselves as artist. You would never take an art class were your teacher told you to paint like them and only like them. You would learn to paint but eventually be encouraged to express your own master piece. This is what I encourage at the Clinch Academy. Yes we do have a curriculum and yes I do teach techniques and strategies but I also allow for modification and personal exploration. There is an old quote from the book of the Samurai that goes

"It is spiritless to think that you cannot attain to that which you have seen and heard the masters attain. The masters are men. You are also a man. If you think that you will be inferior in doing something, you will be on that road very soon.”

- Tsunetomo, Yamamoto. Hagakure.


Expression is what martial arts are really about. Whether it is for self-defense, competition or for recreation, martial arts is always art. As I said before, there are many other schools out there to choose from. In fact, there are many really good schools. I have chosen to remain an independent school and to teach my version of the arts. We Frederick’s premier Mixed Martial Arts Academy. We train everyone from the kids to the house wife, average Joe or Professional MMA fighters. We now have 4 Pro MMA Fighters training at our academy as well as a few amateur fighters. I have done my own share of competition through the years with accomplishments such as winning the Battle at the Beach advanced/pro division 2 years in a row! It was a total of six fights and I submitted everyone but one of them. In fact, the President of N.A.G.A was so impressed with my victories at Battle at the Beach that he invited me to fight in a Super fight against Pablo Popavich in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Pablo Popavich is the # 1 Ranked grappler in the USA a World Jiu-Jitsu Champion and and now also World Abu Dhabi Champion! Although, I lost by decision, I went the full 10 minutes with Pablo and even pushed the pace for the most part. This was my 1st Super fight and only my 21st competitive match while Pablo had all ready had 200 victories under his belt. Pablo has beaten competitors such as Renzo Gracie, Gregor Gracie, Saulo Ribeiro, Kenny Florian, Diego Sanchez, Andre Galvao and Marcelo Garcia! Having trained with the Gracie's since he was five among many others Pablo had much more experience and titles than me.My Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training started with my Father who was self taught. Although I have worked out with many different people, I have predominantly trained by myself since the year 2000 with my students and won the Battle at the Beach in both 2003 and 2004 and then fought Pablo in 2005. How did I do it? I did it just like all true martial artists, by seeing the art in martial arts. Check out my highlight video below!

Watch Video Here!

Not only do I view Martial Arts as an art but I also hold to the concept that a true martial artist should consistently be training their body to progress in the techniques of the art as well as their mind to represent the art in a positive way. Even more so, I believe that we should use what we have been given to glorify God. Remember, anyone can fight, but not just anyone can become a warrior. A warrior not only trains to become a better fighter but also trains to be a better person. A warrior is a servant and just as the samurai trained and fought in service of their lord; I also train and teach in service mine, Jesus Christ, the Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.

Thank you for reading the introduction! Please be sure to also visit the links under the Academy Information heading. Learn more about our class structure, ettiquette as well as class listings and tuition rates. Also send me an e-mail to set up a time to come in for a free class! You can try any of the classes your interested in. Thanks again and we hope to meet you soon!