Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerry Burns.
Hi Jerry, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I am a first-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and have been the owner of Foothills Martial Arts Academy, located at 778 E. Lincoln Road in Maryville, since 2020. It’s given me the opportunity to pursue my dual passions of teaching children self-defense and anti-bullying strategies, while also training law enforcement officers and first responders on the defensive tactics they need to defend themselves and de-escalate volatile situations on the job.
At Foothills, we offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu courses for children and adults, and our Gracie Jiu-Jitsu curriculum focuses on self-defense rather than combat sport.
I have an associate’s degree in criminal justice, and throughout my career in law enforcement I’ve served in many roles with multiple forces. I began as a deputy with the Perry County Sheriff’s Office in Kentucky before moving to Tennessee in 2011 to work at the Gatlinburg Police Department. From there, I worked at the Blount County Sheriff’s Office. During my tenures with the three agencies, I’ve served as a field training officer (FTO), a defensive tactics instructor, and finally, as K-9 officer before I retired from the force in 2023. I still have Marley, the bloodhound I used at the sheriff’s department, and still find opportunities to work with her.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
While working in law enforcement, I decided to open my own facility so I could teach others the martial arts and self-defense techniques I am so passionate about. After spending more than 15 years training in martial arts, I knew I had the knowledge and skill to teach students, but it was a challenge to learn the sales and marketing skills I needed to sell people on the need for martial arts training.
I am not a natural salesperson, but I am passionate about the difference martial arts can make in the lives of children. I have seen kids come in that I know are bullied — they look at the floor and mumble when asked a question — and after a few months of training, they are speaking up for themselves. It’s the confidence I see in them and knowing I’ve made a difference that helps me show the value my business offers.
One of the biggest frustrations I face as an instructor is witnessing so-called experts posting training videos or discussing technique, and it’s obvious they don’t know much about law enforcement or don’t know that some of the self-defense tactics they demonstrate aren’t useful. It’s concerning to see someone teaching a technique I know can get a police officer or a child hurt if they were to use it in a real-life situation.
It can also be challenging to explain the value of the self-defense program that I offer to law enforcement officers. All too often, the training they receive on the job is sufficient to tick a box, but it can be ineffective in situations when their life is on the line. It’s crucial that they receive defensive tactics training that can help ensure they make it home to their families. Because so many police departments don’t offer this, we deeply discount our rates for this training in hopes more police officers will be able to take part.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
At Foothills Martial Arts, you’ll learn realistic and practical self-defense skills in a safe and friendly environment, taught by Professor Jerry Burns, a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Jiu-Jitsu is life-changing, and the benefits are not just physical. This gentle art will also increase your focus, concentration, patience, mood and confidence. Strength and flexibility also increase.
Foothills Martial Arts is located in Maryville, Tennessee. We welcome beginners and advanced skill level children and adults from Alcoa, Townsend, Friendsville, Walland, Seymour, Knoxville and surrounding areas.
What’s next?
I’m taking all I’ve learned through years in law enforcement and the training I provide officers and looking ahead at how I can continue to support the men and women who serve and protect. Earlier this year, I announced that I’m running for the position of Blount County Sheriff in the 2026 election cycle.
I believe I can make a real difference in the community by placing more emphasis on recruiting and retaining highly qualified deputies and proactively addressing crime prevention. We need to address the low pay and outdated policies that drive deputies away, implement more modern training programs, ensure that arrest warrants are issued in a timely manner and tackle the substance abuse and mental health issues that plague Blount County.
At Foothills Martial Arts Academy, we plan to add more women’s self-defense classes and anti-bullying workshops for children, and we want to add more seminars for law enforcement and first responders. Additionally, we are offering workshops at area schools that address bullying and resiliency in children.
By integrating my experience in law enforcement and coaching into programs that positively impact families and the community, we hope to empower our members with the tools they need to defend themselves and grow their self-esteem.
