Head Instructor: Professor Cha Apostol (she/her)
Professor Cha started her martial arts practice in 2007 in Covina, California in a freestyle martial art with emphasis on self defense. She earned a black belt from Martial Art Innovation in 2010 after a grueling belt test where she notoriously broke her foot but finished the test. Ready for more training Cha found Brazilian jiujitsu in San Francisco in 2011. She practiced continuously in the Bay Area for the next twelve years, competing regularly and capturing an IBJJF World No Gi Championship at brown belt. During that time Cha also trained boxing and took amateur bouts. She earned her black belt from Professor Eric Acha in the Jean Jacques Machado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Association in 2023. She began her black belt competition journey in 2024 with several matches in the IBJJF.
As Executive Director and Head Instructor Cha orchestrated the creation of Misfit Combat in June 2023 in Emeryville, California. She brings a decade of professional experience in Management for beloved Emeryville gymnastic gym Head Over Heels to guide Misfit Combat in its nonprofit mission. Professor Cha is Safe Sport certified.
Kickboxing Instructor: Coach Raii (he/him)
Coach Raii has a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and Dong Soo Do, and he also has a background as a professional dancer and gymnastics instructor. His kickboxing classes are fun with plenty of kicking and a little bit of cardio.
Assistant Instructor: Professor Sarah (she/her)
Professor Sarah assists with the Brazilian jiu jitsu classes and teaches kids classes. She is an avid competitor, with gold medals in 2023 & 2025 IBJJF Master World Championship and 2024 IBJJF No-Gi World Championship at brown belt, Master 3 light feather weight. Professor Eric Acha awarded her a black belt in October 2025.
Assistant Coach: Coach Jenn (she/her)
Coach Jenn has trained with Professor Cha since 2011 when they were both white belts. She is an integral part of Misfit Combat, volunteering her professional expertise for the non profit and substituting to teach classes as needed. Jenn is a black belt with a wicked spider lasso guard training with Professor Joe in the Sabre affiliation.
Assistant Coach: Coach Lee (they/them)
Coach Lee is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Professor Cha. Lee has a talent for explaining techniques, with an engineer’s mind for details. They teach a no-gi fundamentals class on Fridays and help out with the Queer Combat program.
Manager: Coach Meredith (she/her)
Coach Meredith brings her organizational skills and ready-to-help attitude to administrative work including communications, fundraising, and event scheduling. Currently a white belt under Professor Cha, she has challenged herself with competition matches- grabbing a match win at her first tournament.
Manager: Coach Hayley (they/them)
Coach Hayley is a team legend who competed in seven open weight matches in one day. As Manager they coordinate communications, event scheduling, the Queer Combat program, and other free-to-participant classes. Coach Hayley is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Professor Mollii at FEF.
Judo Instructor: Coach Melisa (she/her)
Coach Melisa teaches Judo with a commitment to community and “Judo for All!” She holds an ikkyu in Judo under Sensei Cody Costello, black belt in Danzan Ryu Jujitsu and second degree black belt in Toyama Ryu Battodo under Professor Mike Esmailzadeh. Coach Melisa is also a purple belt in Brazilian Jiujitsu under Professor Cha Apostol. She is a Sergeant at Arms (study group leader) in Inayan Eskrima under Suro Jason Inay and facilitates our weekly study group.
Wrestling Coach: Coach Xica (they/them)
Coach Xica learned wrestling at Vallejo High School before competing at the collegiate level on scholarship. They excel on the mats with excellent takedowns like their knee tap. A beloved member of the community, Xica is known for their culinary skills in cooking group dinners. Coach Xica is a blue belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu under Professor Mollii at FEF.
MMA Instructor: Coach Andy (he/they)
Coach Andy brings his fun and nerdy style to the sport MMA classes. A school teacher, triathlete, and BJJ brown belt in the Carlson Gracie Jr. association, he has been a training partner of Professor Cha since white belt. He has fought in regional MMA and kickboxing promotions, and grappled extensively in local tournaments.
