Gomez has been a black belt since 2006, but has been teaching for other people for about 10 years, since he was a blue belt. He’s always wanted to own his own school. “It’s about time,” he says, “This opportunity showed up and I took it. Temecula’s a great spot. There are lots of families here. People love Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and fighting.”

Mikey Gomez competing again after a four year hiatus / Photo: Deb Blyth

Gomez started out at Nova União in Paraguay at 16 years of age. When he got his blue belt, he moved to Boston, but at that time there were no Nova União gyms in the States. “Kenny and Keith Florian were teaching classes under Roberto Maia. I tried it for a month, but it was too cold for me!” he laughs, “I was going to go to Renzo’s, but that was New York, so it was still too cold for me.”

So, in 2001, Gomez ended up making the move to Florida and began training at GB Orlando with Marcio Simas. “I was 19 years old and didn’t have the money to train,” he says, “I worked at a clothing store, folding clothes. It was my first job ever. After work I would go to GB Orlando and watch the classes until I saved up enough money to train.”

Gomez loved Jiu-Jitsu so much, he asked Professor Simas if he could start a kids program for them. “That’s how I started teaching and getting paid,” he says, “I started teaching the kids and then slowly started helping with adult classes and eventually took over. I loved GB Orlando. It was great. I call that ‘home’ now. I lived there for 9 years.”

Gomez says competing in Florida was “crazy.” He had to travel all over for tournaments. “Miami, Jersey, California, different parts of Florida… I had to travel all over to compete,” he says, “Then I would go to the Worlds in Brazil to gauge myself and see how I was progressing. I never placed, but I always won three or four matches and I’d win them all by submission.”

Gomez started training in MMA in 2003. He spent one year training and by this time, he was a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. In 2004, his instructor, Todd Broadway, told him he was ready to have his first fight. Gomez took that fight and won.

Mikey in MMA / Photo: Steadfast Videos

By the time Gomez took his third fight, he was feeling pretty good. He took on Carlo Prater, whom Gomez says was “like 22-2,” and lost on a decision. “I didn’t have a manager,” he says, “It was just me doing my thing. After that it was so hard for me to get fights. People kept dropping out.”

Gomez then made the mistake that many fighters make by trying to make it big in MMA. “I started fighting just for the money,” he says. Like many before him, he’d take fights on a couple of days to a couple of weeks’ notice and won a few of them, but lost many, too. With no manager and no routine training schedule, Gomez was lost. He took two professional muay thai fights. “I lost my first fight against UFC fighter Thiago “The Pitbull” Alves,” he says, “I only had three weeks to get ready for that fight and I lost to a decision.” Gomez won his second fight. “The guy I fought had a record of like 24-0. It was a title fight and they brought me in to lose. I ended up winning by TKO in the third round and won the belt,” he laughs, “I never stopped training after Thiago.”

Gomez moved to California in 2009. “I needed to fight out of Florida,” he says, “I was known in Florida and felt I couldn’t get the exposure I needed to fight in bigger shows. I wanted to get noticed.” So, Gomez hooked up with Renato “Babalu” Sobral and started training muay thai at GB Cerritos. “I wanted to train more,” he says, “I felt like everyone was getting better but me. I wanted to be a student again.” But once again, Gomez got lost in the shuffle of freeways and busy cities in California and couldn’t get it together. “I didn’t know California was so crazy with everything so far apart,” he says, “It was really difficult for me to train and I didn’t have a set camp.”

Gomez and teammate Fabiana Borges winning Gold / Photo: Deb Blyth

So, with a record of 12-8, Gomez decided to take some time off from being the student and once again, became the instructor, teaching at different GB schools in Southern California. He became roommates with Fabiana Borges and Rodrigo Simoes and they enjoyed a year of training and friendship together. “We helped each other be better,” he says, “Living with them was great. It was like heaven. That was my little family last year.”

Gomez has now returned to the MMA scene with a new perspective and a new training team, but he still trains everyday with his GB team. “I never stopped training with the gi,” he says, “It makes everything tighter.” Gomez trains with GB greats Otavio Sousa, Kayron Gracie, Romulo Barral, Flavio Almeida, Marcio Feitoso and even Master Carlos himself. “It’s been so great,” he says, “I love training Jiu-Jitsu with such a high-end team.”

Gomez is training so much now, he’s even started competing in Jiu-Jitsu again. Gomez won the 2010 No-Gi Nationals. “It was really great because I hadn’t competed since ’06,” he says, “I won my first match at the 2010 No-Gi Worlds, but then I let Tussa keep on going because he was the defending world champion.” Gomez says he’s honing his skills. “I feel great in my game now,” he says, “I’m a completely different fighter. I have better listening skills, better striking, my Jiu-Jitsu is better. I’m better all the way around.”

One major reason for his improvement is that he now trains at Reign with Mark Munoz. “There I train with Mark Munoz, Fabricio Werdum, Jason “Mayhem” Miller, Brett Cooper, and Marcel Louzado to name a few,” Gomez says, “They’ve helped me so much. It’s the first time I have an actual team.”

Gomez also finds strength through his training at Juggernaut Training Systems with Chad Smith. He trains there with all of his GB friends, like Fabiana Borges, Rodrigo Simoes, Romulo Barral, Kayron and Ronis Gracie and Bruno Antunes. “For the first time, I’m really getting stronger,” he says, “A lot of times when I lost to Division 1 wrestlers by decision I didn’t have that raw strength that they did. Now I feel like I do have it. I’m stronger and more explosive.”

Gomez prepping for James Brasco / Photo: Steadfast Videos

Put all that together and you have a new fighter with a strong mind and a well-conditioned body to go with it. Gomez recently put his new skills and training to the test when he faced James Brasco in his WEF fight last week and won by TKO in the first round. Gomez trained seven weeks for the fight. “I stunned him (Brasco) with a jab and tried to finish it, but I slipped and fell,” he says, “We traded some punches and he stunned me for a second. I worked in a few punches and stuffed his takedowns. Then he clinched and I threw a knee to the body that dropped him. I followed with punches from the guard then from half-guard. The ref eventually stopped the fight.”

The win stoked Gomez’s MMA fire more than ever. “I want to fulfill my own dreams as a fighter,” he says, “I didn’t go on to school because I always wondered if I’d have regrets about not fighting. So I followed the fighting path. I don’t regret a single thing. I want to get into the UFC and make a run for that 185-pound title.”

Big dreams for a kid out of Paraguay who, at one time, was folding clothes in a store to make enough money to train Jiu-Jitsu. But while he has his own personal dreams to realize, as usual, this born-teacher is helping others manifest their dreams as well. “I’ve trained so many fighters and they’re doing great,” he says, “Jim Ailers, Bruce Connors, and Frank Sharipov. They all have a shot at getting in the UFC. I helped Jonathan Brookins before he went into the TUF house. All those guys back in Florida. I’m really proud of that.”

And now Gomez has his own school in GB Temecula. “My goal for the school is to be successful and to help people,” he says, “I like teaching a lot. I’ve seen grown men who’ve been bullied their whole lives. I like helping them out. Seeing them progress and watching them become so confident. I like to make good fighters. Everyone’s fighting for something – being more confident, losing weight, becoming an MMA fighter. I like helping them in their lives.”

Gomez says he lives his life by the tenets his mom taught him. “She always said, ‘Every time someone leaves your life, they should leave feeling like they gained something positive from you.’ That’s what I try to do,” he says, “You always start somewhere. Someone always gave you a hand along the way. I want to be that person to others. My reward is being a positive addition to anyone’s life.”

Paul Nguyen winning the match against Brandon Mendez

Every sport has its champions and Jiu-Jitsu is no different. The true spirit of any sport, though, is found in its everyday heroes. People who fight the battles of life with such tenacity, grace, and courage, it makes you sit back and reflect about the true meaning of life and reconsider what you often take for granted. That’s what the following Gracie Barra warriors do. Their journeys through war, injury, and disease, wielding nothing but supreme mental and physical strength, set valuable lessons we can all live and learn by. On Saturday, May 8, 2010, the GB Season Opener displayed the kind of heart and soul you only read about in books.

Paul Nguyen is light featherweight white belt from GB Temecula. His Professor, Ricardo Guimarães has a lot of respect for him, “No one’s allowed to complain at the gym,” Guimarães says, “After hearing Paul’s story, we can’t ever say we’re having a bad day!”

Paul Nguyen in his 2nd match in his second match of the day. Photos: Deb Blyth

Paul served in the Army and was wounded overseas. He was shot in the thigh, the pelvis, and stomach. The round of ammunition burned up his insides. Doctors took out half his colon, so he ended up with a colostomy bag. “My thigh rode up, broke into fragments, and went into my stomach,” Paul says, “My nerves were done. I couldn’t use my leg for two years. I could stand, but I couldn’t lift it up to walk.” Paul says he couldn’t eat and left the hospital at 98 pounds.

Paul didn’t give up. He worked hard in physical therapy, and after two years was able to get rid of the leg brace the doctors told him he’d wear for the rest of his life. “I still have nerve pain, but I bite the bullet with it.” He endured a colostomy reversal, and now he’s free of the colostomy bag.

Paul tried Jiu-Jitsu and loved it instantly. “It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would,” Paul says, “I didn’t think I’d be able to do anything good again. My life was going so well, then I got shot and it went down the tubes…until I found Jiu-Jitsu.”

Paul had two fights at the GB tournament. He won one and lost the other. Paul says the best part of his day was getting an armbar in his first match. “There’s nothing like that – knowing I can get it now!” Paul says if anyone learns anything from his experience it’s, “whenever the going gets tough, you just have to remember there’s other people out there living a tougher life.”

Paul had no idea the opponent he armbarred was someone living a tougher life. Brandon Mendez is a light featherweight white belt from GB Corona under Tom Reusing. “Brandon’s constant positive attitude is an inspiration to all of us,” Reusing says. Brandon grew up on the mean streets of Santa Ana, hung with the wrong crowd, and got into trouble. “I joined the Marines and it straightened me up,” Brandon says, “Got me off the streets and gave me direction.”

Paul Nguyen and Brandon Mendez

In 2007 Brandon was in Iraq working on a freeway overpass, which was a permanent check point. Brandon says, “We were looking out for suicide bombers when one went under the freeway with 3000 pounds of explosives and detonated himself.” Everything went black, then white, then Brandon was thrown in the air and slammed to the ground. “I didn’t know what happened,” Brandon says, “I tried to stand up, but couldn’t. I tried to wipe my face with my hand, but it was dangling by a piece of skin. I started screaming. I thought I was going to die.”

Brandon Mendez trying to pass Paul Nguyen's guard

After what seemed like an eternity, a fellow Marine came and put a tourniquet on his arm, which saved his life. He was flown to Maryland for multiple surgeries and then to San Diego for physical and mental therapy. “It took me a year to recover,” Brandon says, “I had two heel fractures and I couldn’t walk for four months. The doctors said they might have to amputate my feet. I’m grateful that didn’t happen.”

When Brandon first started Jiu-Jitsu it wasn’t easy. “I don’t have a left hand, so I learned using my stub. It was painful,” Brandon says, “My heels also hurt when I was on my knees because they’d stretch out, but I toughed it out.” Brandon says what he enjoys the most is that the guys he rolls with don’t take it easy on him. “I’m not different,” Brandon says, “So I don’t want any special treatment.”

Although Brandon lost his first match, he was happy with himself nonetheless, “You win or you learn, so I feel good,” he says, “I know eventually I’ll win. I feel part of something that’s bigger than me. I think that’s what humans seek in life and I’m thankful I found it in Jiu-Jitsu.”

“After I got out of the Marines, I felt sorry for myself, like I wasn’t going to amount to anything anymore,” Brandon says, “I felt broken. The Marines made me a machine and what do you do when that machine is broken?” Brandon’s inspirational performance on the mats makes it very clear that what you do is Jiu-Jitsu.

Joe Youkhan is an Ultraheavyweight blue belt from GB Mission Viejo. In college, he was a wrestler, on track to make the Olympics. Unfortunately, he severely herniated his lower spine. “It was instantly tight. The next day, I couldn’t walk. It hurt if I swallowed. I could feel the pain run down my back and leg when I moved.”

Joe Youkhan dominating in his 1st match

Joe says it was tough to think he could have been in the Olympics and didn’t get to fulfill his dream, “But what could I do? I was immobilized by pain. Every morning I woke up and couldn’t move.” Over the next ten years, Joe became depressed and gained weight. “I’ve always been a big guy. I was 6’3” and 315 pounds at 14.”

Once he hurt his back, though, he got up to 385 pounds, and wasn’t training. He found Jiu-Jitsu and his life began to change. “When I get on the mats, none of it exists. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude to GB for all it’s done for me. It’s the world to me.”

Joe’s back is a constant source of concern for him, so he wants to enjoy Jiu-Jitsu for as long as he can. “All I work on is technique without strength. I want to protect my back so I can do this forever.”

Joe won both his matches and took home gold for the second year. “It’s very satisfying,” Joe says, “I believe that you win or you learn, so I’m always happy as long as I give my best. I was grateful to represent professor Gustavo (Pires). It was amazing hearing my sons cheer me on in my matches.” Joe says because of his injuries, he doesn’t have the ability to “smash” anymore. However, if you talk to his opponents, they would not agree with this statement!

One person who definitely wouldn’t agree is Mike Payne from GB San Clemente. Mike is a 46-year-old blue belt in the Ultraheavyweight division. “When I grabbed Joe, I tried to throw him, and he didn’t move. He looked at me like, ‘what are you doing?’ After the match he said he couldn’t move me, but I was hanging on for dear life!”

Mike Payne trying for a takedown

Everyone at GBSC loves Mike Payne. He’s a kind and happy guy who’s always laughing and joking on the mats. However, what many don’t know is that behind the levity belies a seriousness that is a part of his everyday life. “I had my first heart attack at 37. The doctors gave me a 5% chance I’d live to 40. So, I lost a lot of weight and started racing bikes. Then I wrecked in a race, broke my neck, and was paralyzed. I couldn’t move at all. I had surgery and things came back after a year, but I still couldn’t use my arms very well.”

Mike eventually went back to racing bikes, but had another heart attack. He gained a lot of weight and knew he had to find something new to do. He found Jiu-Jitsu and the rest is history. Mike says, “The year before I started Jiu-Jitsu, I was in the hospital four times to open my arteries. I now have 8 stents. Since I started Jiu- Jitsu, I haven’t been in the hospital once. I think it’s because I’ve been praying, training, and improving my diet.”

Joe Youkhan and Mike Payne sparring

A happy Mike Payne after his final match

Mike says the doctors hold out no hope for him. “I will probably have another heart attack,” he says, “I’ve been to three cardiologists and they’ve all told me I won’t live past 50…I’m 46 now.” Facing such adversity would seem untenable for most, but Mike’s quiet faith in God and his passion for Jiu-Jitsu keep him so peaceful, you would never know that he deals with life and death daily. “I’m so grateful to God and for Jiu-Jitsu,” he says, “I wasn’t in the hospital once this year, plus I got to roll with my GB Family. It was a blessing.” Mike came in second place at the GB Season Opener, “I was really happy because I tried hard. Jiu-Jitsu has changed my life.”

These soldiers of life inspire us as they valiantly conquer their struggles without batting an eye. The battles they fight on a daily basis would keep lesser men paralyzed with fear, but not them. They continue to power on with gratitude for all they have and in hope for all they can accomplish. They help the rest of us see that we can always fight harder, train longer, and be more appreciative of all that we have in our own lives, on the mats and off.