Testimonials

Brian Morizi
17 year old Student - Gracie Barra San Diego Team Member

It is difficult for me to sum up all of the great experiences that I have had since I began my training at Gracie Barra San Diego. I have now lost over 40lbs. and feel like I am in the best shape of my life, but the physical advantages that Gracie Barra have given to me are just the beginning. Mentally I feel great, I am able to cope with stress and control my emotions. The other students have been extremely helpful and patient. I have made many new friends, and I feel like I am part of a big family, the Gracie Barra family.

Jeff Gorumba
Gracie Barra San Diego Team Member

My name is Jeff Gorumba and I train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Professor Marcelo Pereira. Under his instruction and coaching I have won the Gold medal in the purple belt division at the 2007 Pan-Am jiu-jitsu tournament both my weight division as well as the open weight division (Weighing under 170lb) as well as Gold in the 2007 World Jiu-Jitsu championships in Brazil in my weight division and Silver in the open weight division. I have traveled extensively around the United States and have trained Jiu-Jitsu wherever I could find places to train and have had the privilege to train with some renowned instructors and fighters and I can say that Professor Pereira training methods and techniques are among the best and my achievements in 2007 could not have been realized without his teaching methods in class and coaching while competing. I have received my Brown Belt under Professor and look forward to another successful year of competition in 2008. Thank You Marcelo!!

Sean & Josh Scott
Gracie Barra San Diego Team Members

I just wanted to take this opportunity to personally thank you for all you have done and continue to do for my son Josh and I. Your teaching skills and the time you take to personally instruct each of us in class has been instrumental in our growth, both in the sport as well as in our personal lives. Josh and I are getting in great shape, our confidence to deal with confrontation has dramatically increased, and the overall drive and discipline to strengthen our bodies and minds is helping us to become better people. The other day, I was able to watch some of the little kids class and it was so neat to see how much those kids love to learn from you. It is such a powerful testimony to your dedication, patience, and compassion for the sport and to all those who come to learn regardless of age. We feel so blessed to have met you and we cherish the friendship that you have extened to us. Josh and I look forward to many years of fun and training with you and we feel truly blessed to be a part of the Gracie Barra school. You are the best!

Tony Grover
Gracie Barra San Diego Team Member

"You learn much more from Gracie Barra Jiu Jitsu than just technique.  Teamwork, discipline, and persistence are a few qualities that become engrained in your training as you grow and develop.  Once you start, you automatically become a part of the family, and that's truly what we are...family.  This is evident before, during, and after class."

Matt Benner
Gracie Barra San Diego Team Member

My name is Matthew Benner and I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra Oceanside for about a year now. When I first began training, I was overweight and had difficulty making it to class to train because I was so out of shape physically. I kept attending class even though It was hard for me and, after a short while of making class just twice a week my physical condition began to improve dramatically. Soon I was reaping some external benefits of training JIu Jitsu. This progress also motivated me to take into consideration what I was eating. I believe what I am learning at Gracie Barra Oceanside from Professor Marcelo Pereira and staff is not only a way to enrich my life through exercise and a commitment to an overall healthy lifestyle but, also a way to busy my mind with an ever progressing art that keeps me wanting to learn more and more about it. Currently, I weigh forty pounds less than when I began training Jiu Jitsu. I know every time I train at Gracie Barra Oceanside, my instructors are fully committed to teaching the most effective techniques in a professional, respectful, and earnest manner. The dojo Itself has more than doubled in size since I began training there and Is always, without exception, neat and orderly. During the relatively short period I have been training I have meet some great people and have had a lot of fun. I look forward to my future at Grace Barra Oceanside.