About Us

At High Country Jiu Jitsu we go beyond demonstration to ensure our students are well-equipped and well-educated. During our martial arts classes, we analyze technique and emphasize specific sections in the learning method. This approach ensures our students won’t get left behind in their training. We are so dedicated to helping our students that we also adapt our training style towards what each individual needs to achieve their goals, whether it’s general fitness or competition.

Instructors

Andrew Skaggs

Owner/Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor

Andrew grew up in South Jersey and spent most of his childhood on the east coast. He grew up with a passion for sports and competition, mainly playing soccer and baseball into High School. While living in the Northern Virginia area, his curiosity for Jiu Jitsu started when a friend of his started training jiu jitsu and convinced him to come try it out. In 2008, Andrew began his journey training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and currently holds a 2-stripe brown belt.
Throughout the years, Andrew has had the opportunity to train under some of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors in the world. He has had the opportunity to learn styles and teaching techniques from several different instructors and schools of thought, and has trained all around the US.
After College, Andrew began a career in software development where he currently works for a family medical facility in the Boulder/Denver metro area. Andrew has 3 kids, 3 dogs, and loves spending time with his family and exploring the outdoors in the Rockies. His two oldest kids will be staples of the gym as they have already begun their own Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey and will be around to help other kids their ages have fun.

• Fairfax Jiu Jitsu 2008 – 2009
• 50/50 Jiu Jitsu 2009 – 2015 (Received Blue Belt from Ryan Hall)
• Easton Jiu Jitsu 2015 – 2020 (Received Purple belt and Brown belt from Eliot Marshall)
• 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu 2020 – 2022

Andrew Poplar

Jiu Jitsu Instructor: 4 stripe purple belt

“Andrew” began practicing BJJ in 2008 under the direction of 3rd degree black belt and NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, Steven Bonjiorno at South Jersey Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. SJBJJ is part of the Ricardo Almeida Association. Ricardo is a member of the UFC hall of fame, King of Pancrase, ADCC Gold medal winner and one of Renzo Gracie’s most decorated students. This “old school” lineage focuses on traditional, tried-and-tested Jiu Jitsu techniques, yet continues to be a mainstay on modern MMA and Grappling stages. During his BJJ journey, Andrew has been fortunate enough to share the mats with some of the most well-known, respected technicians of the sport, including: Renzo, Ricardo, Gordon Ryan, Garry Tonon, Nick Rodrieguez and Kurt Osiander among others. As a new resident of Salida, Andrew looks forward to introducing the art of Jiu Jitsu, and its mental and physical benefits, to the community.

Josh Lobeck

Lead Striking Instructor

Josh is a passionate martial artist with over 20 years of various experience in different disciplines. He started in 2003 in his youth learning a simple karate system, and later leaned into another discipline known as Budo Taijutsu. After earning his black belt in both arts spanning around 8-10 years, Josh headed off to the Marine Corps to learn more about warrior ethos in 2013. After 5 years of active service as Stinger missile operator and deployed to the middle east in 2016, he trained hard to earn a secondary billet teaching the Marine Corps’ Martial Arts Program (MCMAP) as an instructor. He earned his 3rd black belt around the 4 year mark in his enlistment. Since his departure from the Marine Corps Josh has been in various circles of private and contracted security sectors both armed and unarmed, and also became a head instructor at a martial arts franchise known as Premier Martial Arts for two years focusing heavily on krav maga and kickboxing. He also earned his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from a Gracie Barra school in the C Springs area, while also taking gold and silver at several competitions in 2022. Josh is focused on making the world better one student at a time by teaching a wide range of martial arts concepts. His goal is to empower and mentor the youth to reach their ultimate potential while also increasing their awareness about themselves and developing the courage to take on the adversity of life.

Andrew Astor

Asst Striking Instructor

Assistant Coach Andy is a long-time martial arts student and practitioner. He started with Tae Kwon Do as a kid living in Virginia and continued training at U.S. Tae Kwon Do center in Colorado Springs. He began practicing Muay Thai in 2004 at Muay Thai of Colorado under Kru Oscar Martinez. A long time Salida resident, Andy is excited to continue training BJJ and Muay Thai and sharing his passion for martial arts with others.

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Our Mission

High Country Jiu Jitsu

Be Dedicated

Make everyone feel welcome

Treat each student with respect

Empower our members

Help members reach their goals

Testimonials

“Needs 6 stars. Coach Andy runs a tight ship. Everyone gets the individual attention they need which creates a positive learning environment. No egos, pristine facility. I’m happy to be a part of the academy.”

AJ P

Google

“The superbly named coach (Andy S.) provides phenomenal instruction in an extremely supportive and welcoming environment. If you are thinking about starting your BJJ journey, do it. here. Now.”

Andy A

Google

“Been going for the past couple weeks and I will say a handstaff the dude is very knowledgeable super easy going and any questions I have he explains fully until I understand and he is really nice.”

Matthew B

Google

High Country Jiu Jitsu

Get Started Today

(571) 334-8719

highcountryjj@gmail.com

9985 US-50 Unit B, Salida, CO 81201

High Country Jiu Jitsu has everything…except you! Join our community today and begin your martial arts journey!