Michael Bowen
Michael has been actively involved in various aspects of martial arts since he was 13 years old. He practiced Kuk Sool Won a Korean martial art for years as a teenager and was drawn to the physical and mental aspect of martial arts. At 17, he joined the US Navy and again was actively involved in various aspects of self-defense. Michael applied and was selected into the rigorous and demanding Basic Underwater Demolition SEAL training program in Coronado California. After sustaining an injury during training, he spent some time recovering and relied on functional movement training he learned in his experience with martial arts to help his body heal. He then applied and was selected into the rigorous Naval Rescue Swimmer program where he learned the art of combat rescue at sea. He was selected as the leading petty officer and graduated at the top of his class. After completing two successful overseas deployments, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal for actions relating to Visit, Board, Search and Seizure operations in the Persian Gulf. He left the service in 1998 and went on to complete a Bachelors in Business Administration a short time after. Michael moved from New Jersey to Castle Rock, CO in 2008 and was introduced to and practiced Krav Maga for a short period of time.
In 2015, Michael began his Jiu Jitsu journey under Larry Glines (Black Belt under Robert Drysdale) at the Fountain of Youth BJJ Academy. As an active surfer, adventure racer and martial arts practitioner Michael was seeking something more challenging that he could train with his children. Larry helped shape Michael’s fundamental principles and love for Jiu Jitsu. After moving to Lakeville, MN in 2018 Michael started training at Rio Jitsu (GF Team) and had a handful of outstanding coaches, João Tavares Marinho, Jose Luis Varella and Hiago Adao that continued sharpening his fundamentals and helping him define the skills for competing. He also completed BJJ mentorship with Gutemberg Pereira. Michael has competed in multiple national competitions and recently moved back to Castle Rock, CO to open BOM JITSU Academy with Black Belt Coach Guilherme Cordiviola. Their love for the sport is infectious and they are dedicated to helping change and shape the lives of our students through a world class integrative Jiu Jitsu program. Whether just beginning or for those that have been training for years, our hope is that those involved will grow spiritually, physically, mentally and emotionally with our family of athletes.
He is Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt and earned GOLD at the 2019 IBJJF Twin City Open, (Double Gold) 2022 IBJJF Denver Open and is the IBJJF International Masters Champion (Gold)