By Lacey “G Souldier” Turner
Jermaine Andre’s life reads like a gritty graphic novel blended with the raw power of a redemption saga. Born and raised in the heart of St. Louis, Missouri, Jermaine’s journey from a troubled youth to a world-renowned martial artist, author, and mentor is nothing short of extraordinary. A five-time United States Champion, two-time World Champion, UFC veteran, U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, and a pioneer of Mixed Martial Arts, Jermaine is a
walking testimony to resilience, discipline, and transformation.
The Fight Began Early Jermaine’s first brush with combat came not in a dojo, but in the schoolyard. As a third-grade ball monitor, he stood up to a bully who refused to follow the rules. With one punch to the eye, Jermaine unknowingly stepped onto a path that would define his life. Raised mostly by a single
mother in North County, St. Louis, he faced racial hostility, gang threats, and school expulsions.
He carried nunchucks—often filled with lead—not as a weapon, but as protection, inspired by countless Bruce Lee movies. A childhood moment off Chambers Road in St. Louis, was where Jermaine Andre experienced a traumatic encounter with racism that would shape his life’s path. When a group of white men hurled racial slurs at his brother and one attempted a violent attack, Jermaine—armed with lead-filled nunchucks and inspired by Bruce Lee—intervened to protect him. That intense moment of defending his family became Jermaine’s first real introduction to martial arts and the
responsibility that came with power.
The Road to Redemption
After high school, Jermaine Andre moved to Sheridan, Wyoming, where he was working hard, holding down a job at a Holiday Inn, and supporting his girlfriend by paying all the bills. Life took a turn when he returned to St. Louis for a gun charge, and during that time, his girlfriend’s mother passed away. Upon rushing back to Wyoming, Jermaine found himself jobless, and with limited opportunities, he and his girlfriend made a desperate decision that led to an armed robbery. Taking full responsibility, Jermaine accepted the consequences and served time, a choice that marked the beginning of his powerful journey of transformation. He served six years—but even in solitary confinement, his warrior spirit refused to be caged. While incarcerated, Jermaine Andre utilized his time to teach martial arts to fellow inmates, offering instruction to anyone willing to learn. His commitment to discipline and personal growth
extended beyond the prison population—he even invited the warden to send correctional officers for training, demonstrating his dedication to sharing his knowledge with anyone, regardless of their role or background. “That’s where I started teaching,” he says. “Martial arts
became my salvation.”
Upon his release, Jermaine wasted no time turning pro. Fighting underground, competing in Japan, and overcoming the stigma of being a felon, he pushed through every barrier. “They had to sneak me into Canada,” he says, laughing at the memory. “The fights back then weren’t sanctioned, but I was ready.”
JAMMA: Empowerment Through Combat
Jermaine is the founder of JAMMA (Jermaine Andre’ Mixed Martial Arts Academy), where every lesson is personally tested and proven by him. His programs are rooted in real-life experience, not theory. A certified law enforcement trainer, bodyguard tactics instructor, and a member of both ILEETA and the International Martial Arts Council of America, Jermaine trains everyone from at-risk youth to elite police forces.
One of his most powerful initiatives is his Assault Stop Self-Defense Program, which he provided to kids ages 10 to 17—for free. “It protects the kids, and it protects the schools and the parents from liability,” Jermaine explains. “My defense system is immaculate. I’m giving them what I wish I had growing up.”
The Warrior Philosopher
Jermaine is more than muscle and belts—he’s a published author (Muay Thaiger), a national public speaker, a mental toughness coach, and a mentor to thousands. He’s trained professional MMA and Muay Thai fighters, law enforcement officers, elders, and even disabled children. But it was a brutal prison fight that catalyzed his spiritual awakening.
While serving time in prison, Jermaine Andre faced a surprise attack from a member of the Aryan Brotherhood. Though he easily overpowered his attacker and had every reason to retaliate with full force, something shifted inside him—he chose mercy over violence. That moment marked a powerful turning point in Jermaine’s life, helping him realize that true strength lies not in domination but in self-control. From that day forward, he began teaching others that
Emotional discipline and strategic defense are more powerful than brute force, and mastering oneself is the highest form of martial arts.
“Jermaine recalls. “I could’ve killed him. But something changed. I felt sorry for him. That moment—choosing mercy—defined who I really was.”
From the Cage to the Classroom
Returning to Sheridan, Wyoming, in 2016—24 years after his arrest—Jermaine stood before a crowd at the Humanities Festival and offered a public apology for his past. His raw honesty and evolved mindset moved the entire town. “I had to make peace,” he says. “Not just with the town, but with myself.”
Through it all, Jermaine has remained deeply grateful to those who trained and inspired him:
● Ron Smith – Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo
● Slava – Russian Sambo, Jiu Jitsu
● Mike Griffin – Law Enforcement Tactics & Ethics
● Bryan Madden – No Holds Barred MMA
The Greatest Challenge and the Greatest Triumph
When asked about his lowest point, Jermaine doesn’t hesitate. “My first loss—I got knocked out. I almost committed suicide. But then I prayed. I realized my life wasn’t just about me. It was about who I could serve.” And his greatest accomplishment? “Training law enforcement. I was an outlaw… now I teach the law. That’s the biggest full circle I could have ever imagined.”
Legacy of a True Martial Artist
When it’s all said and done, Jermaine doesn’t want to be remembered just for his titles or techniques. He wants people to understand the depth of his transformation. “I suffered, struggled, endured, and adapted to master the last form of communication—violence. So that I no longer have to use it. I teach people they don’t have to either.”
Jermaine Andre is more than a fighter. He’s a father figure, a philosopher, a warrior, and a teacher whose story proves that greatness isn’t about never falling, but about getting up, standing tall, and using your pain to fuel your purpose.
