Meet The Team

VINI IS  IS A 3 DEGREE BLACK BELT FROM BRAZIL, HE IS A CHARISMATIC AND LOVING PERSON. VINI BELIEVES IN LIVING JIU JITSU AS A LIFESTYLE AND HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THE BJJ BENEFITS WITH EVERYONE!

CAMILA IS A BJJ PRACTITIONER, MOM OF 3 KIDS WHO ALSO PRACTICE JIU JITSU AT ESSENCE. SHE IS DETERMINED TO CREATE A LIKEMINDED COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT WALNUT CREEK  WITH  A FRIENDLY AND SAFE SPACE FOR ADULTS AND KIDS

One of KAYLEE'S favorite things about Jiu Jitsu is working with other women,  empowering each other to be our strongest and most powerful selves. SHE also loveS helping teach kids classes. 

I'm a psychologist with extensive experience in human development and behavior. I believe Jiu Jitsu transforms lives by building confidence and resilience to face everyday challenges. At Essence, I hope to integrate the core values of Jiu Jitsu with psychology, serving as a facilitator for personal and emotional growth.

Brian emphasizes consistent, incremental improvement as the path to mastery in both Jiu Jitsu and life. He believes firmly in Jiu Jitsu’s transformative potential, empowering the students to become healthier, stronger, and more resilient individuals.

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"The lessons I’ve learned on the mat have shaped me into a better person. My goal is to share my knowledge and experience with the students, helping them build confidence, discipline, and resilience both on and off the mats."

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Jason is a 3rd-degree Brazilian passionate about sharing the art that profoundly impacted his own life. He believes Jiu-Jitsu fosters a healthier lifestyle, builds confidence, and unites people in a supportive, growth-oriented environment.​  He has competed in top promotions like Bellator, PFL, and King of the Cage, HOLDING AN MMA 15–6 record.

"Jiu Jitsu has been one of the best, most life changing experiences for me. Not only has it helped me get in better physical condition but it's also helped with problem solving and remaining calm in stressful situations both on and off the mat. One of the best things about working with kids is not only watching their jiu jitsu skills grow but also their confidence."

As a teen, achieving goals is what I strive for — but what does that motivation mean if there are no goals? Jiu Jitsu brought a goal into my life: to improve. Being able to help provide goals for others makes me feel more complete.

"I started Jiu-Jitsu out of curiosity, hoping to find a fun way to stay active and meet new people. What I found was so much more. A lifestyle that has helped me become my best self, and a beautiful community that has quickly become family. Coaching kids has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Their creativity and curiosity always reminds me to approach the sport with playfulness. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that failure isn’t the end, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.

"Training martial arts has been truly transformative for me. Physically, I’m stronger, more flexible, and equipped with the skills to protect myself in dangerous situations. Mentally, I feel sharper, more focused, and more confident than ever before. The BJJ community—especially the Essence community—is incredible. Training has pushed me to grow both physically and mentally, but even more importantly, it has given me lifelong friendships. BJJ is for life!"

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"Jiu jitsu has been amazing for developing my agility and stamina. Teaching younger classes is a great opportunity; it's helped me build life skills like patience and effective communication. I love seeing the kids' eagerness to learn and their pride in mastering the moves. This opportunity has brought me immense pride, not only from helping the kids but also from working with such skilled and caring teachers."

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