About The Garden

Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Balance Studios, Muay-Thai Kru under Ajarns Andy Russell and Sakasem Kanthawong Judah is the head instructor and technical foundation of The Garden MMA. A lifelong martial artist, he began training in 1997 and developed through decades of disciplined practice, competition, and coaching across Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, and grappling. His path reflects long-term commitment to skill, adaptability, and the reality of learning through doing. Judah competed for nine years at the amateur level and more than four years as a professional fighter. In 2002, he became a Muay Thai instructor and expanded his training into Sambo and MMA while coaching and competing with the Philadelphia Fight Factory. During this time, he served as a training partner to future MMA standouts including Eddie Alvarez and Zach Makovsky, sharpening his craft in one of the region’s most competitive environments. Judah made his professional MMA debut in 2008 and his professional Muay Thai debut in 2009, competing both nationally and internationally. His career includes a bout in Cambodia against the 2010 Pradal Serey national champion, reflecting his willingness to test himself across rulesets, cultures, and disciplines. While he no longer competes in Muay Thai or MMA, his approach to training remains rooted in real experience, technical honesty, and respect for the demands of the art. Today, Judah continues to compete in No-Gi grappling and remains deeply active in his own development. He won the first Finishers Open at 145 lbs in 2018, placed third at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships as a brown belt in 2021, and was awarded his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in January 2022 by Phil Migliarese and Ricardo Migliarese.

Keren is the architect behind The Garden MMA. A mother, artist, and photographer, she approaches everything she builds with intention and care for the long game. She began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in late 2016, drawn to a practice that rewards presence, resilience, and consistency — and hasn't stopped since. She teaches classes, competes in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu, and holds a purple belt. Beyond the mat, Keren is responsible for everything that makes the academy function and grow. She oversees operations, systems, design, marketing, technology, finances, and community development — every role required to build a gym from the ground up and keep it running well. In 2017 she became a certified yoga instructor through Dhyana Yoga, which deepened her understanding of movement, recovery, and longevity, and continues to shape how the academy supports its members at every stage of training. Her background spans IT, web development, and years as a global travel advisor for corporations, government organizations, and Ivy League institutions — a combination that brings real organizational depth to her work. She is also the founder of SkillTrack MMA, a platform born from her own experience as an academy owner, designed to help martial arts schools track skill development, manage memberships, and build stronger communities through tools that actually serve athletes.