Professor James Burchfield is a Gracie Barra Certified Second Degree Black Belt Instructor in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He has been practicing martial arts for over 30 years. In addition to BJJ he is also a certified instructor in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Russian Sambo, Hsing-I Kung Fu, Hsing-I Liu He Chuan, Pa-Kua Chang, Tai-Chi Chuan, and 3 forms of Filipino Stick Fighting including Pekitie Tirsia, Serrada Escrima and Modern Arnis. In 1986 he opened his first school in Burton, MI called the American Fitness Center. He has operated continuously at that location since its inception, making it one of the oldest continuously running martial arts academies in the state of Michigan. In 1996 the focus of the school switched from Kung-Fu to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and in 2009 he became the first and still the only certified Gracie Barra BJJ Instructor in the State of MI. Along with his in depth knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Burchfield travels to Thailand 1-2 times per year to train at professional Muay Thai gyms to continue to develop his own technique, and provide top level kickboxing instruction. In addition to his own school, he has been recruited by General Motors numerous times to run health and wellness programs within GM facilities. In 1997 he was hired by GM Life Steps to administer a Health and Wellness Program for employees and retirees. In 2001, he was recruited by various GM plants to teach Tai Chi Chuan and Yoga in the Burton area, as well as at the UAW offices and the GM Life Step Facility. Other martial arts schools have also enlisted him as a guest instructor over the years, including the ATA Academy in Traverse City, MI as their primary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor, and Hampton Martial Arts in Blacksburg, VA to expand their knowledge of Hsing-I Kung-Fu, Hsing-I Liu He Chuan and Pa-Kua Chang.