At Apex Fitness and Martial Arts in Evergreen, a class of young Brazilian jiujitsu students seated in a row waiting their turn to spar, referred to as "rolling," with a classmate under the watchful eye of professor Rogério Marshall, a sixth-degree black belt from Brazil who came to Montana to teach the martial art. 

But first, the students begin the class with a warm-up, galloping around the gym and inching across the mats on their backs, rolling side to side, in a technique known as a "hip escape," before springing to their feet. Nearby, parent Zarah Sherman who was assisting with instruction, explained that the escape would be useful in a situation where an opponent was on top to create space and distance to transition into a more advantageous position. 

In Brazilian jiujitsu, skillful control is the goal rather than brute force or weapons, using holds, throws, sweeps, grappling and other techniques to subdue an opponent. 

For Marshall, the lessons of jiujitsu go beyond the gym.  

"... Jiujitsu is more than a martial art — it is a tool for building stronger people, stronger families and stronger communities," Marshall said. 

"It gives you self-confidence for life. It gives you courage. It teaches you to adapt to problems. It develops discipline, humility, resilience and respect," he added. 

Marshall said he's coached people with a variety of backgrounds from local and state law enforcement to educators.   

MARSHALL BEGAN forging a path in the jiujitsu world as a 4-year-old shortly after his mother died. He credits his father for introducing him to what became a lifelong practice. 

"My father believed that sports help shape character, discipline and personality, and I will always be grateful to him for putting me on that path," Marshall said. "What began as a way to help a young boy through one of the most difficult moments of his life became my life's purpose." 

At Apex Fitness and Martial Arts, he teaches the Progressive System of jiujitsu developed by the Sylvio Behring Association, a methodology Marshall said is meant to build confidence while developing self-defense and response skills whether standing or on the ground, according to the association.  

“Whether someone is 5 years old or 75 years old, a competitor or someone who has never stepped onto the mat before, everyone is welcome,” Marshall said. 

During class, students move from warm-ups to one-on-one instruction and then to rolling. As Marshall and the other instructors watch, the students pair off and go to the middle of the gym to practice the movements they have learned. 

The class includes students from ages 5 and up. Apex Fitness also offers adult and women's-only classes. As the youths pair up, they adjust their output to each other's comfort level.   

“They kind of adapt with who their partner is so it’s pretty versatile,” Sherman said. 

Sherman, a blue belt who has been training for a little under a year, first got into jiujitsu after watching her sons practice and compete from the sidelines.   

“I was like, well, I’m sitting here for three hours, I feel like maybe I should try it. I’ll probably quit. But it was so much fun. It’s really addicting,” she said. "The community is great." 

For her, the appeal is physical fitness that calms her mind and keeps her centered. In a high-stress job co-running an excavation business and supervising her children who attend school online, she said jiujitsu forces her to focus on the moment. 

“Here is the only time my mind shuts off because you have to pay attention because you might get choked out or something,” she said with a laugh. 

Marshall echoed a similar sentiment: 

“Jiujitsu is therapy. It helps reduce stress, anxiety, fear, and depression while improving both physical and mental health.”  

"I often tell my students, the mat is your couch," he added. 

Sherman's son, Zaiden, earned a yellow belt after nearly six years of training. He said he got into the sport to learn self-defense after coming home from kindergarten with a bloodied lip and went on to compete.  The techniques and strategies of jiujitsu give students leverage in situations where an opponent is bigger or taller, according to  the gym's website. 

Although he is taking a break from competing, he remains committed to training every day and setting goals for himself.   

“I love it. I’ve learned a bunch,” he said. 

The colored belt system recognizes the skill and experience of the wearer. Students may earn additional stripes that recognize growth along the way.  

The adult jiujitsu belt system starts at white and progresses to blue, purple, brown and black. Youths progress through a belt system of gray, yellow, orange and green. Belt promotions are based on the instructor's evaluation. 

This year, 55-year-old Marshall was promoted to a 6th-degree black belt. 

Having a 6th-degree black belt instructor in Kalispell is a rarity, Sherman said. Marshall brings decades of experience teaching and mentoring children, adults, seniors, competitors and instructors from white to black belts.  

"It's very, very unique that he's in Kalispell, Montana, and a great opportunity because there's not a lot of people with his skillset in the state or surrounding areas," Sherman said. 

In addition to coaching, Marshall continues to compete, recently winning a gold medal in the gi division at the 2026 IBJJF American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship held June 25-26 in Las Vegas. 

"Competing keeps me sharp as an instructor and allows me to continue testing myself against some of the best athletes in the sport," he said. 

Apex Fitness student and purple belt, Tom Gutschenritter, brought home a silver medal in the gi division at the national championship. 

"Watching students succeed on the national stage is every bit as rewarding as winning myself because it reflects their dedication, discipline, and the strength of our team," Marshall said. 

At some point, Marshall, who holds a master's degree in physical education from Faculdade do Sul — Unime/Itabuna, hopes to return to Brazil to restart a youth program he founded to positively impact children's lives through Brazilian jiujitsu. 

"One of my dreams is to one day return to Brazil and reopen that project so I can continue helping children discover confidence, discipline and hope through martial arts," Marshall said. 

For more information, visit apexfitgym.com. 

Reporter Hilary Matheson can be reached at 406-758-4431 or [email protected]. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.

    Brazilian jiujitsu instructors supervise students while they spar, known as "rolling," during a Wednesday, July 1, 2026, class at Apex Fitness and Martial Arts in Evergreen. (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)
  

    A student practices grappling techniques with Brazilian jiujitsu professor Rogério Marshall at Apex Fitness and Martial Arts in Evergreen on Wednesday, July 1, 2026. "Professor" is a term of respect with Brazilian origins for "teacher" or "coach." (Hilary Matheson/Daily Inter Lake)