J. Mann

I got fascinated watching the TV series Kung Fu and Bruce Lee movies as a kid. I started in Aikido at age 7 (1975) and trained in that style for a couple of years. Next, I moved through classes of Shotokan karate & Full-Contact Kick-Boxing for a few years. Then back to Aikido and Japanese Atemi-Jutsu for a couple of years. From age 16-21 I studied Southern Shaolin Kung-Fu (Lau-Gar Kuin style) & achieved a brown sash and operated a satellite location for my instructor. While at Polytechnic I also studied Samurai Aiki-Jujitsu, Tai Chi & Muay Thai for a short while.
From 1990 onwards I practiced and taught Tang Soo Do and teaching as 4^th Degree Black-Belt (under 9^th Degree Black-Belt, Grandmaster W.D. Clingan). Also competed in the 1994 ITF World Championships and won gold in the heavyweight sparring division. I have also briefly been exposed to Tae Kwon Do, Jeet Kune Do, Arnis, Eskrima, Judo, Gatka, Systema & DZR Ju-Jitsu. Currently studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at Ground-Up with some of the most amazing people I have ever met.

I’ve also taught Sutter County’s Sherriff’s cadets on self-defense. Worked with Marysville Police department on self-defense & have been sworn in as a special-volunteer with MPD. I have trained students who competed in MMA cage fights & a tough-man contest. I’ve taught women’s’ safety & rape prevention classes.

 After 50 of training, I have learned many life lessons which I love to pass on to others. I’ve seen students overcome anxiety, PTSD, claustrophobia, diabetes and even cancer diagnosis (through diet and exercise), bullying and much more.
One big life lesson is to monitor your 5 pillars of health (hydration, nutrition, sleep, exercise and stress/mindfulness).
When someone comes back to and tells us that their life changed when they overcame bullying, PTSD, weight loss, anxiety, stress, etc., it motivates us to want to help even more people.
If you are looking for the right time or reason to start BJJ, it’s now!
Too many people say “I wish I had started earlier!”, so don’t wait any longer, try a free class and see if you love the vibe and the team.

One of my favorite quotes: "It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war" - Miyamoto Musashi.

My other favorite quotes:

“Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.” - Bruce Lee.

“You must understand that there is more than one path to the top of the mountain.” - Miyamoto Musashi.

“The ultimate aim of karate lies not in victory or defeat, but in the perfection of the character of its participants.” - Gichin Funakoshi

"The ultimate aim of martial arts is not having to use them." — Miyamoto Musashi

"Be like water making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it." (Often shortened to "Be water, my friend)" — Bruce Lee

“A black belt is a white belt who never quit.” - Rickson Gracie

“The goal is not to win. The goal is to improve.” - John Danaher

“There is no losing in jiu-jitsu. You either win or you learn.” - Saulo Ribeiro

"My ego is my enemy and my opponent is my teacher." — Renzo Gracie

"Always assume that your opponent is going to be bigger, stronger, and faster than you; so that you learn to rely on technique, timing, and leverage rather than brute strength." — Helio Gracie

"The art of Jiu-Jitsu is worth more in every way than all of our athletics combined." — Theodore Roosevelt