Stout lives for his son, his wife, and Jiu-Jitsu. Living on the Westside, he appreciates being close to the ocean and loves the small town feel and sense of community in Santa Cruz. Stout started training Jiu-Jitsu with Garth Taylor and Paul Schreiner in October 2009 as a guy in his early 30s who was interested in focusing on his health. Garth’s continued mentorship has given Stout an appreciation for the collaborative, mutually supportive nature of Jiu-Jitsu.

Starting Jiu-Jitsu later in life, Stout has never been keen on competing, but the first time he helped a white belt, he found his passion for teaching. He has been teaching since 2016 and it continues to be immensely gratifying for him whether it’s a comprehensive class or a beginning fundamentals class. The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle has taught Stout about incremental growth, which he applies to many elements in his life like raising a child, and has certainly improved his fitness and mental outlook. As he explains, “Jiu-Jitsu increases one’s sense of self-worth and improves mind and body health overall. The cool thing about Jiu-Jitsu is that literally anyone can learn it and improve through practice; it’s an adaptable and inclusive martial art. I love teaching Jiu-Jitsu, especially being able to help others find confidence, improve their skills, and feel a sense of community with those they train with. My promise is that I’ll always give 100% and hopefully brighten the day of those around me.”