About Us
About Terry & Carrie Gruel
Terry Gruel is a 6th degree black belt under Mr. Mark Campbell and a second degree black belt in Kobudo (weapons) under Mr. Eddie Bethea. He is also a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Luigi Mondelli, a certified Krav Maga instructor under Mark Slane, and attained a level IV in The Pit system. He has been involved in the martial arts since 1981.
Terry is a three time USKA World champions (2002, 2003 and 2004), PKC National and Indiana State champion.
Sensei Gruel has trained 17 USKA World Champions, 49 National champions, and numerous State karate champions.
Terry and Carrie are also the first couple to ever earn PKC National titles in the same year and hold the distinction of being the first husband and wife to ever earn the "Glenn Keeney Award of Excellence".
Besides his traditional training, Terry has been exploring the world of reality training and drills, which encompasses knife vs. knife, mass attacks, ground fighting, weapon retention and use of firearms.
In 2003, he founded a course called Final Option Tactics. This highly effective course is taught primarily to law-enforcement personnel, lawyers and adults who don't have years to train in a traditional martial arts system.
Carrie Gruel enjoys working out, mentoring and helping others to achieve their personal goals through fitness.
Carrie is a Certified NAPMA Cardio Kickboxing Instructor, Personal Trainer, and CrossPit Instructor. She was the first cardio kickboxing Instructor to bring fitness kickboxing to Kokomo at The Kokomo School of Self Defense and in Tipton at Terry Gruel Karate Studio.
Carrie is currently a 2nd degree Black Belt in Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karate, 3 time United States Karate Alliance World Karate Champion, 8 time Professional Karate Commission National Karate Champion and 9 time Professional Karate Commission Indiana State Karate Champion. She has been involved in the fitness industry for over 25 years and karate for 16 years. Carrie loves a good challenge, she may not be the fastest but her goal is to always FINISH! Carrie has participated in numerous 5Ks, done 3 Triathlons, Warrior Dash and completed her first Indianapolis 500 Half Marathon.
KORE / American Top Team Connecticut
In January of 2009 we met Luigi Mondelli and were invited to join his elite affiliation KORE Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Indiana Martial Arts and Fitness is a proud member of Luigi Mondellis ATT/KORE association. All Brazilian Jiu Jitsu ranking & promoting at Indiana Martial Arts and Fitness is headed up by Luigi Mondelli, a 3X World JiuJitsu and 5XPan American champion.
Terry is currently a Black belt in BJJ under Master Mondelli.
We are very happy to be part of Kore family, one of the most prestigious Martial Arts schools in the world!
