Head Coach, Mike Rethmeyer
The head coach of BJJ Lifestyle Academy is “Brazilian Mike” Rethmeyer. He started training BJJ as a young teenager in Brazil before moving to the United States. Through many years of dedication and practice, he has become a well-respected instructor in the area. He has earned a 4th Degree Black Belt under the guidance of Leo Peçanha, a highly-regarded BJJ practitioner and athlete who has won many prestigious titles in the sport. Coach Rethmeyer’s personal accomplishments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu are notable and can be found in his competition record below.
Mike Rethmeyer’s Competition Record:
IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation) Championships:
2001
Blue Belt (Adult)
IBJJF Pan American Championship
• Silver Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
2004
Purple Belt (Adult)
IBJJF Pan American Championship
• Bronze Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
2005
Purple Belt (Adult)
IBJJF Pan American Championship
• Bronze Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
2010
Black belt (Master 1)
IBJJF International Chicago Open
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Bronze Medal in Open Weight Division (Gi)
2013
Black belt (Master 1)
IBJJF Winter International Chicago Open
• Silver Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Gold Medal in Open Weight Division (Gi)
2015
Black belt (Master 1)
IBJJF Spring International Chicago Open
• Silver Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Gold Medal in Open Weight Division (Gi)
2016
Black Belt (Master 1)
IBJJF Spring International Chicago Open
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Gold Medal in Open Weight Division (Gi)
IBJJF Summer International Chicago Open
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Gold Medal in Open Weight division (No-Gi)
IBJJF Pan-American No-Gi Championship
• Gold Medal in Weight Division
IBJJF No-Gi World Championship
• Bronze Medal in Weight Division
2020
Black belt (Master 3)
IBJJF Kansas City International Open
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
2021
Black Belt (Master 3)
IBJJF Memphis International Open
• Gold Medal in Weight Division (Gi)
• Bronze Medal in Open Weight Division (Gi)
• Silver Medal in Weight Division (No-Gi)
Non-IBJJF Accolades
2001
Blue belt (Adult)
Gracie Nationals 2nd place
2002
Blue belt (Adult)
• Arnold Classic No-Gi Qualifier 172-187 Champion
• Gracie U.S. Nationals 1st place (Gi)
• Gracie U.S. Nationals 1st place (NoGi)
2003
Purple belt (Adult)
• Gracie U.S. Nationals 1st place
• World Gracie Championships No-Gi Qualifier Champion (185-200)
2004
Purple belt (Adult)
• Arnold World Gracie Championships 3rd place
• NAGA Chicago Pro/Am 2nd place
• NAGA Chicago 1st Place
• Gracie Pro/Am 1st place
• Music City Grappling Championships 1st place Purple belt Gi Absolute
• Music City Grappling Championships 2nd place Pro-Division
• Music City Grappling Championships 1st place
• Music City Grappling Championships 1st place Gi – over 210
2005
Purple belt (Adult)
• Gracie Pro/Am 1st place (Gi weight class)
• Gracie Pro/Am 1st place (Gi open class)
2006
Brown belt (Adult)
• Arnold world Gracie Championships 2nd place
• NAGA Ohio 1st place (Gi)
• NAGA Ohio NoGi pro open class runner-up
2007
Brown belt (Adult)
• Arnold Grappling Classic Gi 3rd place (Gi)
• Arnold Grappling Classic No-Gi 1st place (NoGi)
• Gracie Pro/Am 2nd and 3rd place.
• NAGA Pro Midwest Champion pro open class
• NAGA Atlanta No-Gi 2nd place
• NAGA Atlanta Gi 1st place
2008
Brown Belt (Adult)
• Arnold Grappling Championship 1st place (Gi)
2009
Brown belt (Adult)
• Arnold Grappling Championship 1st place
• Corrals Combat Classic 1st place black belt
2011
Black belt (Adult)
• Best of the Best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Pro/Am circuit 1st place
• NAGA St. Louis 1st Place
• NAGA St. Louis 3rd Place pro NoGi open class
Team Trophies:
2009 Missouri Jiu-Jitsu Championships
• 2nd Place Team No-Gi
2010 Missouri Jiu-Jitsu Championships
• 2nd place team No-Gi
• 2nd place team Gi
2013 NAGA
• 2nd place overall team
2014 AGF
• 1st place Adults Gi
• 3rd Place Adult No-Gi
• Team Champions (Overall)
2015 AGF
• 3rd place adult No-Gi
2016 NewBreed Ultimate Challenge
• 1st Place adult team
2018 AGF
• 3rd place adults Gi
• 3rd place adults No-Gi
2019 AGF
• 3rd place adults No-Gi
2022 Submission Challenge
• 3rd place team
2024 FUJI BJJ Missouri State Championship
• 2nd place team (adults)
2024 Submission Challenge O’Fallon
• 1st place team
2024 CXBJJ St Louis Open Championship
• 1st place Overall Team/Best Academy
In-Depth Interview
Want to learn more about Mike and his background? Here he is on The Vance Crowe Podcast where he talks about growing up as a kid that was bullied, the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu belt system, and how one makes the most out of training BJJ. PLEASE NOTE: the episode has some adult language and discussions of violence.
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT)
Coach Mike Rethmeyer’s commitment to self-improvement, continuous education, and deepening his understanding of the human body to assist with his coaching is evident. Recently, he attained certification as a National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Accredited Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), aligning with the rigorous standards set by the NCAA.
