About

Jeremy Watkins, Owner and Head Instructor

Mr. Watkins has been studying the martial arts for nearly 30 years, and has reached the rank of fifth degree black belt in the art of Taekwondo under the instruction of seventh degree black belt Master Brian James.  He is also a nationally certified instructor under the American Taekwondo Foundation.  Mr. Watkins is a two time American Taekwondo National Champion (2012 & 2013), and placed third at the US Open ISKA Breaking World Championships (2018 & 2019).  

Mr. Watkins is also a second degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu with over 15 years of training, competing and coaching in this beautiful art as well.  His rank is internationally recognized by the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation.  

Mr. Watkins’ greatest accomplishments though are those of his students!  He has trained quite a few black belts over the years, and has coached National Champions in Taekwondo.  He has produced many World Champions in Jiu-Jitsu and has watched many more students walk the podium at all kinds of Jiu-Jitsu tournaments and pro events.  He plans to continue to devote his life to teaching, coaching and mentoring his students for as long as he is able!

Renée Watkins, Business Administrator and Instructor

    Mrs. Watkins is a fourth degree black belt in the art of Taekwondo.  She loves working with children, and she is the one who keeps the place running most of the time, without her there would be no Watkins Wrecking Crew Martial Arts.  Mrs. Watkins is also an American Taekwondo National Champion (2016).  In addition to these things she is a Certified Instructor in the American Taekwondo Foundation.  She also holds the rank of purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu too.

Laylah Watkins, Instructor

    Laylah is a third degree black belt in the art of Taekwondo, and a two time American Taekwondo National Champion (2017 & 2019), but her passion is definitely Jiu-Jitsu.  

Laylah is a brown belt and a full-time competitor in the art of Jiu-Jitsu.  She is an IBJJF Nogi World Champion 2023, AJP London Grand Slam bronze medalist, 4x International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation Pan Kids Champion (world champion), 3x IBJJF Kids International Champion, 1x IBJJF American National Champion, 4x American Grappling Federation National Champion, F2W Champion, Submission Hunter Pro Champion, Third Coast Grappling Champion, Subs on the Shore Baddest Blue Champion, Finishers Sub Only Money in the Bank Champion and the list goes on.  She lives for competition, and at present she is the best light weight teenage girl in the world!

She regularly helps out in all of our Taekwondo and Jiu-Jitsu classes at the Academy, and she also teaches our Women's Jiu-Jitsu Class on Tuesday and Thursday too.  Her ambition in life is to become a multiple time black belt world champion in Jiu-Jitsu, and we believe she is well on her way to accomplishing this goal!

Fred Gilbert, Instructor

    Fred is a second degree black belt in Judo, as well as a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu with over 30 years of martial arts experience.  He is a Judo National Champion 2016, ranked #1 in Judo in the nation in his age group for three years straight in 2016, 2017 and 2018.  He is is a bronze medalist in the 2016 World Police and Fire Games held in Los Angeles, and a bronze medalist in the 2018 Nationals tournament.  In addition to this Mr. Fred is a silver medalist at the World Master Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the absolute division in 2018.  He also has many other tournament accolades that he can claim as well, and continues to remain active as a competitor.

In addition to his martial arts accomplishments Mr. Fred is also a retired Fort Worth Police Officer with 30 years of service.  He even received the Medal of Valor in 1990.

Mr. Fred is a tremendous asset to Watkins Wrecking Crew, and has gone above and beyond to always support out team, students and families involved at the Academy.  Be sure to catch him in the competition Judo Classes.

Brady Ramey, Instructor

    Brady is a third degree black belt in the art of Taekwondo, a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and has been training in the martial arts for 10 years.  He assists in every class we offer at the Academy, and is there anytime the doors are open.  He also teaches his own class for our Juniors Program every Monday.  Brady has accomplished much in both martial arts, but his passion is definitely Jiu-Jitsu.  He is a full-time Jiu-Jitsu competitor, and plans to make a life and living in the art of Jiu-Jitsu.

His current major accomplishments include, IBJJF Nogi World Champion 2023, IBJJF Gi Pans Silver Medalist 2022, IBJJF Nogi Worlds Champion 2022, IBJJF Gi Worlds Bronze Medalist 2022, IBJJF Nogi Pans Bronze Medalist 2022, IBJJF Gi Pans Silver Medalist 2023, IBJJF Pan Kids Silver Medalist 2021, IBJJF Kids International Champion 2021 and he is also a multiple time IBJJF Open Champion.  

His ambition is to be a black belt world champion, and we believe he most definitely will be with his work ethic and drive!