Instructors
Raphael Guidotti Carrão
Rapha began his martial arts with Judo at just 7 years old, continuing on to Muay Thai as a teenager. Looking to expand his martial arts knowledge, he began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 1998 with Master Roberto Tozi, (Godoi/Macaco Team) a Brazil’s top competition team.
In 2004, he moved to Los Angeles as a Purple Belt and continued his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu education under The Machado Brothers John, Rigan & Jean Jacques Machado where Raphael achieved his Black Belt at the end of 2008 from Master Rigan Machado.
Raphael took his career and experience further in 2012 where he had a professional MMA fight debut representing the Nogueira/Black House Team, winning his fight in 1:08 minutes via TKO.
Raphael brings his long history of marital arts training and multiple years of competition experience in both BJJ and MMA to the Los Angeles community where he owns and teaches at his school in Eagle Rock, CA. He continues to stay active both as a student and Jiu Jitsu competitor, training at Prof. Rubens Charles Maciel AKA Cobrinha Academy/Alliance Los Angeles.
Spencer Valenzuela
As a kidnwatching the movie Bloodsport, Spencer knew he wanted to be a martial artist. He started his journey in martial arts when his mother put him in wrestling & boxing programs. Spencer found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2008 & has embraced the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. Spencer is a 2 x time gold medalist as a brown belt in gi and no gi.
jiu jitsu kids program INSTRUCTORs
Ethan Pulido
Having done various sports and activities growing up, Ethan has always been very passionate about staying active. Whether it was participating in Soccer, Baseball, or Track and Field, he always enjoyed picking up a new sports to learn and enjoy.
In February 2019, he decided to try out Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to learn Self Defense and has never looked back. Jiu-Jitsu proved to be as much of a mental activity as it was a physical activity. With a limitless amount of knowledge and skills to learn and develop, Ethan looked forward to absorbing as much as he could.
Currently holding the rank of Blue Belt, Ethan also attends California State University - Northridge (CSUN) for a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science. At CSUN, he also serves as the President of the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Club.
Tristan Sawers
Coach Tristan is a local kid, born and raised in Northeast LA. As a young boy, he played the usual team sports at Highland Park & Eagle Rock Rec. leagues & ended up taking an interest in swimming & martial arts later on.
In early adulthood he began coaching, starting off as development swim coach until eventually working with Team USA Olympians & US Masters. He has almost a decade of experience coaching swimming, strength & conditioning and now Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Currently spending more time training BJJ , he still loves to be able to spend time introducing the gentle art to a new audience.