For the past decade, EDJ Academy has been a foundation of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu excellence, cultivating champions on and off the mats. Founded on the principles of discipline, perseverance and community, the academy has grown into a hub for individuals of all backgrounds to learn, grow, and connect through the art of Jiu-Jitsu, fostering a strong sense of community and personal development.

EDJ Academy was born from a passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a vision to create a training environment that balanced high-level instruction with a welcoming community. Its founder, Juan Pablo Garcia, a seasoned competitor and instructor with nearly 30 years of experience in the sport, took on the mission of not only producing athletes but also building a culture that nurtures personal growth and development.

“Feeling beyond blessed and grateful as we celebrate 10 incredible years of our academy”, says JP Garcia. “What started as a dream has grown into a strong community, a family, and a place where we lift each other up, push past our limits, and grow together on and off the mats. This journey wouldn’t be possible without our students, instructors, families, and supporters— each of you plays a huge role in making this academy what it is today. THANK YOU for trusting in our vision, showing up, and making this place feel like home”.

From its humble beginnings, the academy quickly became recognized as a trusted center for learning and development. With an emphasis on fundamentals, structured curriculums, and mentorship, students of all levels found a home at EDJ Academy, whether their goal was to compete at the highest level or to build strength, improve fitness, and self-confidence through Jiu-Jitsu.

Building champions, on and off the mats

One of EDJ Academy’s proudest achievements has been its impact on the competition scene. Over the years, the academy has produced IBJJF World Champions, Pan American Champions, and European Champions, proving that its methodology and training structure are among the best. However, beyond the accolades, the academy takes the most pride in the character development of its students.

With a focus on discipline, teamwork, and leadership, the academy has helped shape individuals into successful athletes, instructors, and even school owners. The journey of many students who began as white belts and evolved into black belts and mentors within the academy is something we take great pride in, built on a strong foundation.

Beyond competition, EDJ Academy has cultivated a strong affiliation network, spreading its philosophy and teaching methods to multiple locations. The academy now has affiliates and has grown significantly in Ecuador, Colombia, Nicaragua, Chile, Germany, Turkey and USA, expanding its reach and impact across the globe. With more than 30 black belts developed under its banner, EDJ Academy continues to build upon its lasting impact in the Jiu-Jitsu community.

Additionally, the academy has remained committed to innovation, incorporating online learning resources for affiliates, instructor development programs, and specialized curriculums for kids and adults. EDJ Academy continues to evolve while preserving the essence of the sport, with strong support for the IBJJF and its mission to uphold the highest standards in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition and education.

The academy also hosts annual training camps, bringing together students and affiliates from around the world to train, learn, and grow together. Professor JP maintains a close relationship with school owners and all students, providing guidance in various areas, including competition, coaching, and business development. His mentorship has been instrumental in shaping not only high-level competitors but also successful instructors and academy owners.

“We also celebrate some incredible promotions, such as our new two black belts Wilbert Vasquez and Evelyn Song. Huge congrats to years of dedication, hard work, and passion. To everyone who has been part of this journey — past and present — THANK YOU. This is just the beginning, and we’re excited for what’s ahead. Here’s to another decade of growth, success and unforgettable moments on the mats!”

The next 10 years

As EDJ Academy celebrates its 10-year anniversary, the journey is far from over. With new generations of students and instructors rising through the ranks, the academy is set for even greater achievements. Plans for future expansion, enhanced training programs, and continued community outreach signal that the next decade will be just as impactful as the last.

As the team reflects on its first decade, one thing is certain—this is just the beginning.

If you would like to get in touch or learn more about Professor Juan Pablo and the team, visit www.edjassociation.com.

One-year anniversary for RGA Bucks. Photo: Personal archive

Last weekend on Sunday, July 27, GMA Roger Gracie Academy Buckinghamshire celebrated a milestone. The RGA Bucks, led by Kev Capel, had their one-year anniversary.

As part of the event, Roger Gracie came down to teach a class before grading some of the students. What followed was a barbecue in the rare British sunshine. Roger even cut the homemade cake with the club’s samurai sword!

Congrats to the RGA Bucks and many more years to come.

Check out more of the Roger Gracie Academy in Buckinghamshire at www.rgaa.co.uk

Guilherme and Rafael Mendes. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

Two years ago Guilherme and Rafael Mendes solidified their place in the states by opening their own Jiu-Jitsu academy. After accomplishing multiple world titles each and still in their early twenties, the two prioritized their lives to gain a student base in the form of Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Costa Mesa, CA.

On June 29 the team came together to celebrate this two-year anniversary at their white haven on E 17th Street.

Of the event and special day the brothers respond: “It was a great day for us, we are very happy for all the accomplishments in our lives, achieving the fourth World title and having so much success as professors is a blessing. We will keep spreading the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle and making more families discovery the magic of our amazing art.”

See a full photo gallery by Owen Francis Photography here.

Learn more about GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu by visiting www.artofjiujitsu.com

The Art of Jiu-Jitsu student base. Photo: Nick the Tooth

The Gracie Barra academy in Santa Barbara led by GMA member and 2nd degree black belt Rodrigo Clark have scheduled their celebration for two related anniversaries coming up. On September 27, the head instructor will celebrate his tenth year teaching in Santa Barbara along and the academy will celebrate their fourth year as an academy.

Rodrigo Clark began training Jiu-Jitsu when he was sixteen in 1992 and earned his black from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. The Santa Barbara Gracie Barra academy has been operating on State Street since August 2009.

The celebration will begin at 5:00 p.m. and go until 7:00 p.m. at the school located at: 1014 State St. Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Master Vinicius ‘Draculino’ Magalhaes will be in town for a seminar so don’t miss the chance to celebrate a solid academy in the Santa Barbara town and learn from a decorated coach.

Learn more about GMA Gracie Barra Santa Barbara and the anniversary party go to: www.gbsantabarbara.com

Check out this highlight of the academy by Andres Quintero:

Forty-two-year-old Dan Henderson (pictured) fights this coming June 15, the 16th anniversary of his professional debut. (Photo by Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)

Dan Henderson sat over his New York strip steak, looking at the hearty slab of protein in anticipation of enjoying two things: the taste, of course, and the fact that it’s on someone else’s dime.

The look on his face was one that described satisfaction. Maybe it was the fact that it was prepared exactly to order. Or maybe it was because Zuffa was picking up the bill.

“Gotta stick it to Dana [White] somehow,” joked Henderson, adding that the only reason he picked the plate was because it was the most expensive thing on the menu.

The table laughed and Henderson clarified that his relationship with the UFC president isn’t bad. The two don’t text each other as often as they used to, the fighter said, but all is well between them. If White has something to say, he reaches out, and the same goes for “Hendo.”

One could analyze why Henderson and White don’t casually communicate with each other as much as they used to. From Henderson’s departure for Strikeforce before Zuffa purchased the now-defunct MMA promotion to White’s focus on his younger champions, the list of potential reasons goes on and on.

At 42 years old, Hendo doesn’t come off as someone who worries about that stuff. Instead, the fighter from Temecula, Calif. stays focused on the fight in front of him and how many he has left.

“It’ll be a couple years,” Henderson said when asked how much longer he thinks he’ll compete in MMA. “I want to make sure my gym’s doing well. Then I could relax and focus on coaching guys and some other little things.

“I suppose I’d have a little more time with my backhoe.”

By the time Henderson has his next fight, a match with Rashad Evans to headline UFC 161, the former two-division Pride champion will celebrate his 16th year as a professional MMA fighter. Exactly 16 years, to be exact, dating back to his debut on June 15, 1997.

Hendo didn’t necessarily plan on fighting this long. According to one of his coaches, Henderson’s retirement could have come around the time the fighter left the UFC in favor of Strikeforce. In 2008, Gustavo Pugliese was brought on to Henderson’s team as a striking coach with the intension of helping him for just a few more matches.

“When I first started training him, he said maybe three more fights,” Pugliese recalled. “10 fights later, look where he is.”

Henderson said the thing that keeps him going is that he loves the sport. As he gets older, he said, it gets harder, but at the same time easier because he’s more experienced. He added that he still feels good and capable of beating people, so why not get paid to do it?

It’s no secret that Henderson is approaching the end of his career as a fighter. Naturally, time is working against his pursuit of championship belts, pay-per-view cuts and other imaginable items sought by MMA’s best. But the competitor in him, beyond all else, makes for a mentally tough athlete that leaves little doubt from his camp’s perspective.

“Of course he is approaching the end, but not as fast as people may think he is,” Pugliese said. “He has an abnormal mind strength, which is the reason why he is still competitive aside from his skills. He still has goals to accomplish in the sport so he will delay the retirement until he has fulfilled them.”

In Henderson’s mind, time on the backhoe will have to wait. His UFC 161 fight with Evans is the only thing he’s keeping his eyes on, while retirement plans get buried by wrestling drills and sparring sessions.

Beyond the delectable New York strip steak he devoured over lunch, the only thing Henderson tastes is a victory over Evans this Saturday in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.

“Honestly, I haven’t thought about what’s going to happen if I lose because it doesn’t seem like it would even happen to me,” Henderson said. “I’m just focusing on what I’m going to do and when I visualize that, it’s never losing.”

Check out Dan Henderson’s first professional fight against Crezio de Souza in Brazil

Dan Henderson vs Crezio de Souza by Crimson_Fury

Kaboom BJJ leader Kabir Bath with his professor Tim Shears. Photo: Facebook

Our GMA members from Kaboom BJJ in Surrey, British Columbia celebrated their first anniversary with a party on June 1.

Watch the video below to see all the excitement and congratulations to Kabir Bath and the Kaboom BJJ family.