Benjamin “The Grizzly” Rothrock began his martial arts training at age 7 as a boxer in Atlanta, GA. He began pursuing eastern martial arts at age 10 under Sifu David Woolard, as a student of Sil Lum Kung Fu and Arnis accredited by the International Kung Fu Arnis Academy. He would remain under Sifu Woolard's tutelage until age 13.

After a short stint with Kenpo Karate under Sensei Tim Spellman, The Grizzly devoted himself to pit fighting, participating in many of the under ground Vale Tudo clubs that popped up in the Winston Salem area at  the time. This was due in large part to the fact that he was not permitted to compete with the high school wrestling team because of his propensity for small joint manipulation.

Benjamin's first exposure to jiu jitsu came in 2001 through the Army's hand-to-hand combat system dubbed “Army Combatives”. After completing basic training and  Advanced Individual Training, The Grizzly began pursuing the American Combat Jiu Jitsu system under Professor Tony Maynard, accredited by Jiu Jitsu America, which incorporated aspects of judo, small circle & danzan ryu jiu jitsu, as well as isshinryu karate Simultaneously he also worked under the aforementioned  Sifu Woolard as an assistant instructor/lead student at the Triad Kung Fu Arnis Academy in Winston Salem, NC until Sifu Woolard left the school in 2004.

The Grizzly would remain  Professor Maynard's student until being deployed to Iraq in 2005. While in Iraq, Benjamin Rothrock  became the Army Combative instructor at the fitness center on post where he was stationed, instructing members of all branches of the military for both the U.S. and other allied countries. Through this class he and his students garnered both submission grappling and vale tudo competition experience with competitors from all over the United States and the world.

His efforts as the Army Combatives instructor were noted as one of the achievements that earned him the Army Commendation medal for his service overseas. After returning  from Iraq Benjamin resumed his jiu jitsu eduction at the American Martial Arts Academy, under Professor Kevin Pyles. There he studied Brazilian jiu jitsu, muay thai kickboxing, and wrestling style take-downs. It was Professor Pyles who christened Benjamin as “The Grizzly” as Benjamin prepared for his first competitive submission grappling matches in the Unites States since 2004.

Benjamin studied at the American Martial Arts Academy until 2008. While completing his education at Guilford Technical Community College for his Physical Therapist Assistant degree (Associates in Applied Science), The Grizzly joined the Greensboro Jiu Jitsu Club under Sensei Joseph Franklin and Sensei John Bryant. In 2009 Benjamin was approached by Octagon Gym MMA owner David Stacy to be the submission grappling instructor, where The Grizzly continues to teach to this day. Benjamin “The Grizzly” Rothrock continues his martial arts education in Judo through the Greensboro Judo Club under Sensei Roger Rodolphe. He also continues to study Danzan Ryu Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Joseph Franklin and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Anthony Huss. He is currently a member in good standing of the Unites States Judo Association and the North American Grappling Association.