I began my martial arts journey in 2003 while living in San Francisco, CA. A chance encounter during a difficult transition in my life led me to the person who would become my first instructor.

The mental and emotional qualities of this intensely physical practice helped me heal, build my confidence and create a disciplined practice for myself.

In 2004, as I was getting my Masters Degree at New York University, I began training at Professor Fabio Clemente’s jiu-jitsu academy on the lower east side of Manhattan.

There I studied with accomplished BJJ practitioners such as Babs Olusanmokun, Lucas Lepri and Marcelo Garcia. That is also where I met my present teacher Marcos Duarte.

Over the past 15 years I traveled extensively to study and learn various arts. I’ve spent time in Brazil, the Dominican Republic and Cuba studying under some of the best teachers of Jiu-Jitsu, Judo and boxing.

I received my yoga teaching certification (RYT200) in 2014 from Flor Yoga of Jersey City. I have found a yoga practice to be an exceptional compliment to the physical demands required by Jiu-Jitsu and a powerful healing modality unto itself.