Raigoza Jiu Jitsu

Van made me proud yesterday. He went out there and showed what real resilience looks like. He jumped into the NoGi division with the adults, lost both matches by submission, but never lost his composure. Then he put the Gi on, dropped his first match by points, came back, won his next two, and finished the day by putting his last opponent to sleep to take home gold.

What makes this story even better is where he started. When Van first reached out, I told him I wasn’t really taking beginners at the time because I was getting ready for a tournament myself. Most people would’ve just waited or lost interest. Not him. He went and took a beginner’s course somewhere else, put in the work, and then came back ready to train.

From day one, he’s been different. One of the only white belts I’ve seen who actually tries to move with technique from the beginning. Always focused, humble, and willing to learn.

Eight or nine months in and already showing the kind of heart and discipline that can’t be taught. Proud of you Van. This is just the start. 🥇🔥

Exclusive black belt only open mat. JK nobody else showed up 😂, be we had a great time 💯🤙

Shoutout to Lucas for stepping up and competing today! Only 5 to 6 months of Jiu Jitsu and one wrestling season in and he’s already showing the mindset of a savage. 💪 He had a great attitude, kept his cool under pressure, and handled the stress of competition like a champ. Every match he improved. Win or learn, that’s how we grow.

I learn from every comp too as a coach. Definitely a few things I could have done better. But together we’ll come back stronger and be bringing home some gold soon. Proud of this little beast. 💯🥋

Shout out to Garret for coming through today. It was just him and I, but we got some solid rounds in. I appreciate him a lot because even though he’s been a black belt for years, he still came to class even though I was a lower belt than him and always showed up with an opened mind. Him coming to my classes gave me confidence, and training with him helped me level up big time. Let’s get it again tomorrow, brother!

Fun 5:30 am open mat today! Small group, but we had a great time 🤙🥋

Shout out to my two newest students, Nate and Van for coming through! As I’ve heard many times, the path to black belt isn’t always about who’s the best. Most of time it’s just about who’s still here.

It took me almost 18 years to get mine. Life threw everything at me — going back to school, new hobbies, moving, having a family, switching careers… but through it all, I never stopped training. No matter what was going on in life, I always found a way to stay on the mats.

Now that I’ve been in the game this long, I’m starting to see some of my own students begin to drift, and it really reminds me of a truth I’ve come to understand: it’s not always about who’s the most talented. It’s about who can keep showing up.

There’s always going to be obstacles. But the ones who keep training through it all, they’re the ones who get to black belt.

Some people come and go in your life… and then there are the ones who never leave your corner.

I’ve been coaching for over six years now, and it’s rare for me to look at someone as a mentor these days. But when it comes to , it’s different.

He’s been with me since I was a crazy college kid, coaching me at tournaments, fights, and always showing up when I needed him. No hesitation. Just solid.

Aside from my father, Pat is the only man I feel this kind of deep respect and submission to. The kind of feeling you should have for a real coach. That says everything.

I’ve got some funny stories I’ll keep to myself, but I just want to say thank you, Pat. I appreciate you more than you know. 🙇🙏🥋

Mission accomplished 😀🥇

Two weeks off, and wow; I missed the mats! Don’t get me wrong, I love my family, I love vacation, but there’s nothing like being back with my team, putting in the work, and getting after it. Just like the GameBread American Pit Bull Terrier in our logo, I need to fight to feel alive. Without it, I feel like a caged animal!

A huge thank you to everyone who came out today and brought the energy. It feels incredible to be back. LET’S GO!!! 👊🙇🙏🥋

🎮 Leveling Up: My Explosiveness Quest 🚀

I’ve always had solid cardio and was pretty fast once I got going, but I’ve always been slow off the line. Explosiveness? That’s just something I’ve never had. For a long time, I thought it was something I couldn’t develop—maybe it’s just not in my genetics.

But here’s the thing: genetics might play a role, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve. You’ve got to work with what you’ve got and build it to the best of your ability. So now, that’s the mission: get explosive.

💥 Today’s Training:
• Kettlebell swings to fire up the core and hips.
• Plyometric jumps (both vertical and horizontal) to build that fast-twitch power.

It was simple but effective, and I can already feel the difference. There’s nothing I love more than training and learning so I can pass it on to my team. Watching them level up inspires me to keep pushing myself too.

👉 What about you? What do you do to build explosiveness or strength for Jiu-Jitsu? Let me know—I’m always trying to improve.

If you’re looking for a team that helps you grow on and off the mats, come check us out. Let’s train, learn, and get better together.

When I first had my logo designed, I went through a few variations, but one always stood out. Half dark, half light, it symbolizes yin and yang—balance. This concept has become more meaningful to me over the years, not just in jiu jitsu but in life.

Balance is everything. Whether it’s training, parenting, or just navigating life, finding the right mix of intensity and calm is key. In the past, I trained aggressively. I was spazzy and uncontrolled, trying things just to see what would happen. As I transitioned into coaching, my approach changed. I slowed my game down, became more relaxed, and let my students who were white belts at the time work. (Side note: now they all beat me up 😂).

But here’s the thing about balance: it’s a constant adjustment. Over time, I’ve realized I’ve become too patient and reactive, letting others dictate the pace. So now, it’s time to shift back. I’m bringing a bit of that aggression back to my game, but with control, assertiveness, and purpose.

Balance isn’t just about staying perfectly in the middle. It’s about knowing when to adjust in either direction too💪

I am very grateful for everyone that shows up to train with me in the early morning. Huge thanks to for coming in, giving us quality rounds, and sharing awesome leg lock techniques. What makes Jiu-Jitsu so special is the people. It’s incredible how, even if you don’t know someone very well, you can instantly tell they’re good people when you roll with them. Jesse is definitely one of those solid individuals; a fellow martial artist who treats others with respect. I always appreciate meeting genuinely good people like him. Thanks for coming through and training! 🤜🤛