Triad Martial Arts Academy was founded by Johnny Lee Smith in January of 1996.

Johnny Lee Smith's pedigree in the world of martial arts is extensive and the lineage of the Triad way was through extensive years of training closely through the famed Gracie and Machado names.

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Johnny Lee Smith was awarded his 3rd Degree Black Belt in 2009 under Carlos Machado. 

In 2011, Daniel O'Brien became the first Triad Jiu Jitsu Black Belt awarded solely by Johnny Lee Smith.

Since 2013, Daniel O'Brien has taken over the school and perfects the craft and way of life that the Triad way was founded.

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Daniel began training Karate in 2004. Soon after he began MMA and Jiu Jitsu. He received his Karate black belt in 2009. In 2011 Daniel was promoted to black belt in Jiu Jitsu. Making him the first Triad student to have a black belt in both arts.