About Us

Mitch Kotok began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003. He had the fortune to learn under the legendary Clovis Silva from white to black belt. He also spent considerable time training and learning from Sal Rizzo, Sergio Silva, Julio Fernandez, and Kurt Osiander.

In 2010 Mitch established West County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club in Sebasatopol California. And has since matriculated four black belts. Mitch is a true student of the art, an excellent instructor, and his passion for Jiu-Jitsu is instilled in each one of his students.

Stefan Dahlstet is a third-degree black belt under Professor Andre Silva. Stefan's passion for martial arts has spanned a lifetime, starting with judo, boxing, and muay Thai, and finally Brazilian jiu-jitsu beginning in 1997. His unwavering dedication and commitment to the art culminated in 2007 when he received his black belt from Professor Rodrigo Lopes. Having traveled extensively throughout his jiu-jitsu career, Stefan's teaching and competition experiences have taken him across eight countries and nine U.S. states. Along the way, he has not only honed his skills but has also left an indelible mark on the mats, earning medals in numerous international and local tournaments in the black belt masters divisions.

Stefan's teaching style reflects a fusion of old-school, classic Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and modern competition techniques, creating a well-rounded and comprehensive learning experience. Through his classes, he aims to instill a strong foundation of fundamental principles while fostering an environment that is both professional and welcoming, ensuring that all students feel comfortable as they embark on their martial arts journey.

Jake began grappling in the far-off land of Ohio where he wrestled in school. He earned his Blue Belt from dual BJJ and Judo Black Belt Erick Jordan (Helio Soneca lineage) at Ichiban MMA in Asheville, NC in 2014. He was president of the Duke University BJJ club in 2015. He earned his Purple Belt from Seth Shamp (Royce Gracie Black Belt) at Triangle Jiu-Jitsu in Durham, NC in 2018. While in Durham Jake spent significant time training under no-gi and striking mentor Rod Hansen (Royce Gracie BB).

Jake earned his Brown Belt from Mitchel Kotok (Clovis Silva BB) at West County BJJ in Sebastopol, CA in 2020. Jake earned his BJJ Black Belt under Clovis Silva (Carlson Gracie Coral Belt) via Mitchel Kotok in 2023. Jake has so far been successful in reaching his goal of winning gold at every belt level in regional tournaments. He aspires to do it again at black belt. Jake believes the friendships formed while training are more important than any other aspect of the sport. Every class he teaches includes long rounds of sparring, situation-specific live drilling, and instruction focused on tried-and-true fundamental techniques.

Bio coming soon.

Dion Burns received his black belt in 2026 from Mitch Kotok and Stefan Dahlstet at West County BJJ. Dion began his BJJ training in 1999 with Nagoya Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where he earned his blue belt in 2002 from Shinsuke Fukuzumi. Continuing BJJ in New Zealand at GSW Wellington, he earned his purple belt in 2005 from John B. Will, head instructor of Will-Machado BJJ Australasia, and his brown belt in 2015 from Prof. Gene Folgo at Stanford BJJ.

Dion’s martial arts journey began in 1985, first with Shotokan Karate, and then Japanese Jū-Jutsu, in which he earned his black belt from Steve Olivecrona. Having initially moved to Japan in 1999 to continue his training, Dion was soon introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, found his passion for the art, and never turned back. Along the way, he has had the privilege to study and take seminars with some of the BJJ greats, and has cross-trained in other arts including Capoeira, Aikido, Boxing, and Wing Chun. Together these experiences have helped create a flexible BJJ style and a love of continually learning and developing.

Dion’s classes focus both on technique and transitions between positions to build a fluid style. He also emphasizes building a strong and sustainable training culture.

Omar Figueroa is a lawyer who began studying with Master Carley Gracie in San Francisco while a student at Stanford Law School. While in San Francisco, Omar trained with future luminaries including Master Clovis Silva, Clark Gracie, Rocian Gracie, and Josh Rosenthal. Omar then paused for many years due to the demands of starting his own law firm but started training regularly again after moving to Sonoma County. He enjoys rolling with eyes closed to enhance the sixth sense of proprioception.

Melissa Wyman began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at the Nagoya Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Club in Japan in 1999 after studying multiple martial arts in the United States. She has since trained in Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Chile, and across the U.S., including time with several of BJJ’s groundbreaking figures across genders. Melissa earned her blue belt under Shinsuke Fukuzumi (Rickson Gracie Black Belt), continued developing as a blue belt at GSW in Wellington under Geoff Grant (Will-Machado Black Belt), and received her purple belt from Darren Uyenoyama (Ralph Gracie Black Belt and UFC competitor) in San Francisco.

After further international training and balancing her practice with teaching trauma-informed self-defense and working as a mental health therapist, she returned to focused training at West County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Sebastopol, where she earned her brown belt from Mitch Kotok (Clovis Silva Black Belt). Her current focus is longevity, sustainable practice, and supporting other women on the mat, and she’s grateful for the strong community at West County BJJ.

Dallas found his love for grappling while wrestling in his youth, but took an extended break until starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in late 2022. Originally he was just looking for something to keep him active, and has since competed multiple times in local tournaments, and enjoys passing on what he knows to fellow students.

His lessons are oriented towards beginners and intermediate grapplers with a focus on understanding what makes specific moves work and covering the theory behind techniques.

Nick is a lifelong martial artist who grew up in Sonoma County and found his home on the Jiu-Jitsu mats. Starting out with Muay Thai and Kuk Sool Won, he eventually discovered the art of Jiu-Jitsu and never looked back. Early on, he began coaching kids’ classes, where he found a true passion for helping young students build confidence, discipline, and a love for training. Nick brings energy, encouragement, and a down-to-earth approach to every class, always aiming to inspire others through martial arts.

Victoria Levy is a yoga teacher committed to meeting her students where they are and enjoys finding ways to convey more joy, levity, and success through practice.

She completed her training with Anna McLawhorn at Three Dog Yoga in Santa Rosa, CA in 2017 and specializes in the Power Vinyasa practice of the Baron Baptiste lineage.

Training in BJJ herself, Victoria has a unique understanding of how a specialized yoga practice can benefit a BJJ practitioner's flexibility, strength, breathwork, and overall well-being.

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