Master Phil Theodorou started his career in the martial arts in 1982 with his brother Nick. He starting off in Tae Kwon Do then moving to Chinese Kenpo under Ed Parker’s system. After that it was off to train in Shotokan Karate. In 1986 he finally found a style and Instructor that he can call his own. He met O’Sensei Joe Puleio who taught a style called American Jiu Jitsu. It was here where he learned the realism and practicality of street self defense. Up until then he felt the other styles were geared up to more competition and more of a traditional martial art form. So this is where he stayed and learned for the next several decades. Along the way he also studied with Royce Gracie for 8 years, Rickson Gracie, Steven Seagal, Sambo master, Judo experts (John Lucas), dozens of UFC fighters and may other experts in their field.

Currently Matser Phil Theodorou holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu along with an Honorary Second Degree Black Belt from the Highly Respected Grand Master Shoto Tanemura in Japanese Jiu Jitsu.

At the age of 20 Master Phil opened his first Jiu Jitsu School in Selden in 1994.

Several years ago he partnered up with two of his Black Belt students Sensei Dom Carro and Sensei Paul Brodowsky and opened up Theodorou Jiu Jitsu and Total Body Shaping Middle Island. He also founded the now very popular 10 week Total Body Shaping Program that runs in Selden and Middle Island as well as two additional locations in Bohemia and Deer Park.

Both him and his brother Nick Theodorou started together and have never looked back. His brother owns and teaches out of Theodorou Jiu Jitsu Academy an Boston Massachusetts.

Master Theodorou has trained thousands of students over the years and changed the lives of many. “I look forward to passing down the valuable traditions of Jiu Jitsu to others just like it was passed down to me.”


Martial Arts training






- The Management of Theodorou Academy Jiu-Jitsu