Our instructors have amassed years of experience in studying and teaching the martial arts that comprise the BETA program. Their well-developed expertise and life-long passion for tactical arts, used by champions in the ring of mixed martial arts, separates them from other instructors in the area.
Head instructor, Khun Kru Nakapan, embodies over a decade-long development and testing of the BETA program. He remains an active competitor who can be seen testing his skills in local and national tournaments.
Nakapan Phungephorn, Founder & Head Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Thai Boxing
Nakapan Phungephorn is a seasoned fighter with over 15 years of experience teaching, studying and competing in the martial arts. He began his life-long journey to develop the BETA program at the early age of 11, when he began training Kung Fu. After a fruitful competitive career in this soft art, which stretched over 3 years and included over 50 championship titles, he found that point sparring left something to be desired beyond discipline and formation. Although he competed with, and often defeated, black belts many years his senior, he felt that the sport lacked a sense of real combat and therefore began seeking other forms of martial arts that offered more effective self-defense techniques.
At the age of fifteen, Nakapan beckoned to his true calling by starting his study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. His intense training schedule-twice a day, six days a week-allowed him to quickly evolve into a feared competitor in these practical arts. After 8 years of dedication, hard work, and competition, Nakapan earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under the tutelage of Professor Pedro Sauer, whose lineage is directly derived from the legendary Rickson Gracie who helped popularized the art in the United States. Nakapan continues to hone his grappling skills under the guidance of Master Lloyd Irvin and Master Leo Dalla.
Watch Nakapan use the BETA methodology to defeat his opponent in the ring.
Nakapan also mastered the art of Thai Boxing under the instructorship of Khun Kru Mike Moses. Kru Moses made him endure grueling examinations and tested his competitive spirit before presenting Nakapan for full certification to Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute, founder of the National Thai Boxing Association who brought the art of Thai Boxing to the United States. Nakapan remains one of the few instructors in the DC area who are fully certified under this honorable association.
In an effort to become a well-rounded fighter, Nakapan also cross trained in Judo, Sombo, and Greco-Roman Wrestling. He adapted the most effective techniques from each martial art and blended them into his own systematic application of fighting methods, which he has tested time and again in the ring.
Nakapan earned one of his greatest titles during the Summer of 2001, when he won the chance to represent the United States in the World Championships of Muay Thai. Despite suffering from a severe case of the flu that left him in an extremely weakened state, Nakapan won the gold medal for the United States as a middleweight, after fighting three grueling matches. He proved the efficacy of his fighting style in the final match, by delivering a stunning knockout punch to his challenger just 2:58 seconds into the 1st round.
In order to prepare for up-coming competitions, Nakapan taps into the network of BETA Academy affiliates, such as Team Lloyd Irvin and Team Leo Dalla. During specialized training sessions, Nakapan continues to hone his skills while working with UFC Veteran and long-time training partner, Brandon “The Truth” Vera, as well as Elite XC and WEC Fighter, Musin Corbrey. Although Nakapan continues to compete in the martial arts, his true passion is for teaching others. Since he began his coaching career in 1999, Nakapan dreamed of opening his own academy that would allow him to share the BETA program with others who share his passion for learning and for the martial arts.
Nakapan holds that not everyone should have to test their skills in the ring, as he did. However, he hopes that his students will apply the core principles and warrior spirit taught through BETA classes to succeed in other aspects of their lives.
Certifications and Ranks:
- Certified Thai Boxing Instructor under USA Thai Boxing Association
- Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt under Pedro Sauer
- Judo Brown Belt (Ikkyu) under James Takemori and Tad Nalls
Competitive Accomplishments (Abbreviated):
- 2001 WKA Amateur Middleweight Muay Thai World Champion
- Multiple Time Grapplers Quest National Champion
- Kimono Kombat Challenge Superfight Champion
- Grapplers Quest East Coast Grappling Champion
- Mixed Martial Arts Record of 6-1
- Two Time Grapplers Quest National Team Trials Finalist
- Two Time Maryland State Judo Champion
- 2008 USJA Most Outstanding Competitor
- 2009 Virginia State Judo Champion
- 2009 Eastern Open Judo Champion
- 2009 IBJJF New York Open Bronze Medalist
- Undefeated Muay Thai Record 6-0
Melanie Metropolit-Phungephorn, Program Director and Instructor of Thai Boxing
Kru Melanie Phungephorn has nearly 10 years of experience in studying and teaching the art of Thai Boxing. She studied under the instruction of Khun Krus Mike and Amy Moses, Nakapan Phungephorn, and Brahm Ajarn Chai. Her no non-sense approach to learning Thai Boxing can be observed as she pummels the Thai Pads into submission. In 2010, Melanie became a certified instructor of Thai Boxing by Ajarn Surachai “Chai” Sirisute, President of the Thai Boxing Association of the USA (TBA). See footage of her testing rounds here, at the Mixed Martial Arts in DC News Blog.
Kru Melanie has also successfully proven her superior skills inside of the ring. Melanie's most notable win was against the 2003 WKA National Muay Thai Champion. In what was originally going to be an amateur match turned out to be Melanie’s professional debut when her opponent refused to wear protective head or shin guards. With Khun Kru Nakapan in her corner, she accepted the match and for the next three rounds, out pointed her opponent with accurate kicks, punches and knees which left the champion dazed. Despite being the underdog, Melanie triumphed and was awarded an unanimous victory.
Melanie has now turned her attention to teaching others and furthering her study of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu. Aside from being a talented martial artist, she also utilizes her background in international development to contribute to the work of local community development organizations in Washington DC. Her experiences working with organizations such as Save the Children in Ethiopia and Morocco have motivated Melanie to create a strong kids program at BETA Academy.
Daniel “Danny” Chacon, Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Thai Boxing
For some, training in the martial arts is a hobby but for Daniel Chacon, it is a lifestyle. Daniel’s martial arts training history began four years ago, when he sought out an intense competitive sport that would test his rapidly acquired skills in the ring. Danny has learned several fighting styles under the tutelage of great trainers and masters, including Lloyd Irvin, Mike Moses and Chuck Young. Mixed Martial Arts not only provided him with the physical and mental test he longed for; it also proved to be a spiritual voyage for him. This is because, unlike other sports, martial arts instilled respect and discipline in his life, both inside and outside of academy doors.
Now, with the experience he has gained in competing in Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, Muay Thai and Mixed Martial Arts, he helps others achieve their goals on the mat of BETA Academy while he continues to improve under Khun Kru Nakapan Phungephorn. Daniel is honred to be chosen as an instructor at BETA Acaemy and enthusiastically shares his knowledge with students.
Competitive Accomplishments:
Muay Thai/ Thai Boxing Record of 4-1:
- 2010 WKA National Combat Championship Silver Medalist
Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu:
- NAGA No- Gi Champion
- Copa Nova Medalist
- Mid- Atlantic Grappling Championship Medalist
- Mission Submission Medalist
- Grapplers Quest Veteran
To inquire about private lessons with Danny, contact him directly at dchacon@betaacademy.com .
Laurie Porsch, Instructor of Fitness
An Active Duty U.S. Marine who has deployed several times to Afghanistan and Iraq, Sergeant Laurie brings the discipline and fortitude required of anyone who is serious about meeting their weight loss and fitness goals. Sergeant Laurie not only provides the discipline of a real military boot camp; she also brings a ton of motivation and energy to each one of her sessions.
Sergeant Laurie first became interested in fitness in 2006, after breaking her foot. Her injury severely incapacitated her, leading her to gain more than 25 pounds in unhealthy weight. Consequently, Laurie made the decision to get back in shape. To keep her mind and body focused during dangerous deployments, she studied fitness and nutrition. After recovering from her injury, she surpassed the strict physical demands of the U.S. Marine Corps. Further demonstrating her personal dedication to living a healthy lifestyle, she has also competed in fitness competitions.
Sergeant Laurie is now an Instructor of Combat Conditioning and Martial Arts in the Marine Corps. During her second tour in Al Anbar, Iraq, Laurie also became Level 1 certified in CrossFit instruction. Laurie started training Brazilian Jiu- Jitsu at BETA Academy in June 2010.
Sergeant Laurie gives the same level of service and dedication to BETA Academy’s Femme Fatale Fitness Boot Camp that she provides to her country. Using her experience in the Marine Corps, where she muscled through intense Boot Camp and combat training, she has designed a vigorous fitness program that makes no excuses and is proven to provide the results women are looking for.
As a Fitness Instructor at BETA Academy, Sergeant Laurie shows her students that strong is sexy, that working out can be fun, and that physical fitness is about investing in one’s health now and for the future. She empowers her students to attain new levels of fitness through a vigorous training program that challenges each to do her personal best and to continuously push that threshold. A variety of fun yet effective action- packed training sessions help women to meet their weight- loss and fitness goals while gaining functional strength. Because strong, empowered women who exercise together stay together, Sergeant Laurie does her best to make workouts fun in addition to being effective.
Sergeant Laurie’s unique experiences in the Marine Corps have shaped her fitness philosophy: A fit, lean body is the result of a healthy lifestyle that consists of balanced nutrition, effective exercise, and a healthy sense of self. She is not a proponent of dieting. Rather, she encourages her recruits to make healthy, sustainable lifestyle changes that promote dramatic results. Each one of her recruits thus receives constant encouragement and advice for how to make these changes.
Aaron France, Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Aaron France began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu a decade ago at
Yamasaki Academy. In late 2001, career changes forced him to stop
training and he spent the following seven years wondering what would
have happened if he had continued. Now Aaron is back on the mats and,
as his team mates can attest to, he trains BJJ as if it is his second
job. As a purple belt, he is continually expanding his game while
focusing on the refinement of the basic time-tested foundations of the
art.
Aaron’s style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is primarily sport oriented,
focusing on sweeps, submissions, competitive strategy and technical
detail. He believes that the hard work involved in tournament
preparation, both physical and psychological, is of enormous benefit
for the practitioner who is also focused on its practical self-defense
aspects. As a Police Officer, Aaron had adapted
his style of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to safely gain the compliance of
combative individuals in real-life, real-risk situations. He has also
been chosen to serve as a defense tactics instructor for his police
department.
Competitive Accomplishments:
- 2011 Copa Nova, First place, Purple belt 30+, Absolute
- 2011 Copa Nova, Second place, Purple belt, <179
- 2011 Copa Nova, Second Place, Purple belt, <179
- 2010 Copa Nova, First Place, Blue Belt 30+, <179
- 2010 Copa Nova, Second Place, Blue Belt, <179
- 2010 US Grappling, Second Place, Blue Belt 30+, Absolute
- 2010 US Grappling, Third Place, Blue Belt 30+, <175
- 2010 US Grappling, Third Place, Blue Belt, <175
- 2009 Copa Nova First Place, Blue Belt 30+, <179
- 2001 Kimono Kombat First Place, White Belt, <165
Elyse Goldberg, Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
After ravaging the local tournament scene, Elyse Goldberg launched Washington, D.C.’s first Women’s Brazilian Jiu-jitsu class at BETA Academy. Elyse’s effective, free style of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is described as creative and fun with a strong emphasis on technical details that are seamlessly applied to a “flow roll.” In addition to fiercely competing in local and international tournaments, Elyse authors www.gringabjj.com.
Elyse acquired her unique style of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu by following her passion to train all over the East Coast and in Europe during her five-year and continuing BJJ career. Her career began during her freshman year of college at Boston University, where she also ran the BJJ club and served as an assistant instructor after being promoted to blue belt. In 2008, Elyse moved back to her hometown of Philadelphia, PA to join BJJ United, where she earned her purple belt under Jared Weiner and Sharon Bonewicz. Elyse transferred to Washington, DC in the summer of 2009 and now proudly trains under Nakapan Phungephorn and Leo Dalla.
To inquire about private lessons with Elyse, contact her directly at egoldberg@betaacademy.com.
Reginald “Reggie” Esteban, Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Reginald Esteban was one of the first people on the East Coast to begin training Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, in 1995, under Frank Cucci and Pedro Sauer in Virginia Beach. During these early days of BJJ, Reggie and his family of practitioners (including his older brother-Oliver Esteban-who is a brown belt, and his cousin - Nestor Bayot - who is a black belt) competed regularly in local tournaments. After graduating from college, Reggie continued his training and earned his purple belt at Evolve Academy in Washington, DC, under Master Mike Moses.
It was at Evolve Academy where Reggie began teaching the technical aspects and philosophy of BJJ to new practitioners, as an assistant instructor. Here, he also became friends with Nakapan Phungephorn, a black belt instructor on staff. Reggie was forced to take some time away from his BJJ career after a training accident, which required him to undergo major reconstructive knee surgery.
In 2009, Reggie resumed his rigorous training and now serves as a part-time instructor at BETA Academy, where he incorporates character-building and strengthening of students’ mental and physical competition skills into every BJJ lesson.
Masai McDougal, Instructor of Thai Boxing
Masai began training Thai Boxing at age 16 with Master Mike Moses of Evolve Academy. After getting hooked into the sport during his first sparring session, Masai soon found himself competing in local tournaments. After going 4-0 (one TKO by leg kick) in two small venues, Masai entered the second annual World Kickboxing Association Amateur National Championship in 2001. After winning his first fight, Masai met his first loss by judge’s decision in the final bout.
Masai enjoys training and teaching other to practice martial arts without utilizing simple aggression. Masai is drawn to the martial arts by a love of challenge and self-expression. Thai Boxing and Jiu-Jitsu provide dynamic outlets for mental, physcial, and emotional energy.
Michael Batenga, Assistant Instructor of Thai Boxing
Bud Kiamie, Assistant Instructor of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
It was then, at the age of 39, that Bud began his study of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the tutelage of Master Leo Dalla. While training BJJ under Master Dalla, Bud met Nakapan Phungephorn. Impressed with Nakapan’s skill, athleticism and coaching abilities, Bud joined BETA Academy upon its opening while also continuing his studies with Master Dalla. Having earned his blue belt in BJJ under Master Dalla, Bud embarked upon a new challenge by beginning his study of Muay Thai at BETA Academy under Khun Kru Nakapan. He has since earned his Green Belt in the BETA Academy Muay Thai curriculum. Today at 42 years old, Bud continues to train both BJJ and Muay Thai. He enjoys sharing what he has learned with new students and pushing himself beyond his comfort zone in order to continue progressing in his martial arts training.