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This is J Goy In 5th grade at PS130, a neighborhood photography contest run by Mr. Brocco quietly altered the trajectory...
24/06/2026

This is J Goy
In 5th grade at PS130, a neighborhood photography contest run by Mr. Brocco quietly altered the trajectory of Jay’s life. A simple school competition revealed a latent passion for visual storytelling that would shadow him for decades to come.
Growing up in Brooklyn in the early 1990s, as the eldest child of a mother who did not speak English, Jay came of age in an environment of pressure, limited options, & constant risk. At one point, joining a gang felt like the only viable path. A guidance counselor even told him he would never amount to anything & would end up dead or in prison. That prediction became a quiet obsession to disprove.
After a long & winding journey, Jay joined the military, where he was first exposed to martial arts through combatives, a cousin of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He later became a DEA Task Force Officer, kicking down doors, working undercover ops, & living the high-adrenaline version of what had once seemed like an impossible dream. The whole time, he kept a camera close, documenting the world around him even when he could not show it to the masses.
Years of government service, a lingering haze of PTSD, & hard-earned realizations eventually forced a switch. Jay left Uncle Sam, pivoted into the private sector, rose quickly through several promotions, & then was abruptly let go. Being cut loose became the inflection point. He chose to invest fully in the passion that had been with him since that 5th-grade contest.
As his work evolved, another void made itself felt. The camaraderie he had chased in gangs, found in the military, & nearly lost in gov service had vanished. That is when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu entered his life as a hobby & lifeline. On the mats, he discovered a community willing to sweat, struggle, & grow together. BJJ gave him a way to feed his appetite for adrenaline, soften the edges of PTSD, & rebuild a sense of belonging.
Jay began his BJJ journey at . After a couple of months of group training, he sought private instruction, spending countless 6 ams with before the 7 am class. Eventually, he transitioned to , where he refined his game & was promoted to blue belt under UFC Hall of Famer & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend .
Today, Jay’s photography & his BJJ are inseparable. His perspective is informed by the streets that almost claimed him, the institutions that shaped him, the wars external & internal that tested him, & the mats that helped put him back together. His work embodies resilience, community, & the quiet, often invisible battles people fight long before they ever step onto the mat.
Presently he is a blue belt
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This is Javier Mercado Javie waa born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, raised in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in Bogota, NJ. J...
23/06/2026

This is Javier Mercado
Javie waa born in Cayey, Puerto Rico, raised in the Bronx, New York, and grew up in Bogota, NJ. Javier was always an active kid. Baseball and basketball was his first love. He moved to New Jersey at 14 years old, and took up wrestling in high school. He quickly realized his passion for the mats and grappling was in his blood. After high school he wrestled briefly in college before dropping out to work full time. He played softball, basketball, racquetball, and every adult sport in between trying to stay active and keep a competitive spirit. He was then introduced to the UFC and ultimately BJJ by his brother-in-law . He started primarily training in No Gi but still remembers putting on a Gi for the first, and falling even more in love with Jiu Jitsu. He trained extensively and competed from white to purple belt until the Covid pandemic in 2020. He was off the mat for almost 4 years and in poor shape physically before being reinvigorated by a 5am class lead by his teammate .
Javier has trained in Lyndhurst, NJ for almost 15 years. He credits and for their years of coaching and friendship. He wants his story to be one of perseverance. Jiu Jitsu is defined as a life time marathon not a sprint. You may find yourself off the mat for a number of reasons but always find your way back. He thanks Jiu Jitsu, Subforce, and his teammates for providing him with the opportunity to share the mats and affording him the space to be able to work on himself mentally and physically.
Presently he is a brown belt
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This is Kris Desjardins Kris is 45 yo, wife, mother of two pre-teen boys, struggling with her weight for most of her li...
22/06/2026

This is Kris Desjardins
Kris is 45 yo, wife, mother of two pre-teen boys,
struggling with her weight for most of her life and reaching 275 pounds despite being active and running more than 20 half marathons, she experienced a TIA (mini stroke) in 2019 from a congenital heart defect that required a heart implant to close the hole and later developed severe GI issues requiring surgical repair. It was time to focus on her own health or risk not being around for her family.
She was already 60 pounds down when she brought her son to his first Jiu-Jitsu class. Three weeks later, she stepped onto the mats herself, taking a class with Coach who helped build her foundation and gave her the confidence to believe she belonged in Jiu-Jitsu. Three and a half years later, she has lost 139 pounds total and is training for Masters Worlds.
Today, she is happy to train under Professor at . Seph has created a supportive community that feels like home while making complex concepts accessible and inspiring his students to become the best versions of themselves.
Through both her profession and her time on the mats, Kris has learned that everyone is fighting battles that others cannot see. That perspective shapes how she approaches life. She believes in supporting others, building community, and showing up consistently, even when things are difficult.
That same mindset led her to create Mats & Bats Photography. What began as a way to photograph her children instead of being the mom sitting on her phone became a passion that helps keep her present and engaged in the moment.
Whether she is in the clinic, behind a camera, or training on the mats, Kris believes it is never too late to start something new, invest in yourself, and become the person you were always capable of being.
Presently she is a blue belt.
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This is Diego Souza .bjjHe is a Brazilian, born in São Paulo and js 33 yo. He has been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu fo...
21/06/2026

This is Diego Souza .bjj
He is a Brazilian, born in São Paulo and js 33 yo. He has been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 20 years, but his martial arts journey began much earlier when his father enrolled him in Kung Fu and Karate. Although those experiences were important in shaping the character, it was in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that Diego found his true passion and purpose.
As a teenager, he was a bit rebellious, like many young kids at that age. Jiu-Jitsu played a fundamental role, teaching discipline, respect, courage, and perseverance.
He had the honor of representing Brazil in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands, and Uruguay. In Uruguay, and achieved one of the most significant victories of his career by winning an AJP Tour event, one of the most respected competition circuits in the world, in addition to earning titles in several important tournaments throughout Brazil.
A year ago, he moved to the US, where he currently teaches at Luiz Paulo Jiu-Jitsu under his professor, Master a coral belt and one of the greatest influences in Diego martial arts journey. Alongside his teaching career, Diego has recently returned to competition and had the opportunity to compete in the finals of the New Jersey Open against his idol That experience meant more to him than any medal because it represented the fulfillment of a dream and the chance to test himself against one of the best athletes in the sport.
Today, regardless of titles or achievements, he feels grateful and fulfilled simply to have the health and opportunity to do what he loves the most in life: practicing and teaching Jiu-Jitsu.
Diego also experiencing one of the most special moments of his life as he prepares to welcome his daughter into the world. His greatest dream is to share with her the values that Jiu-Jitsu has taught him, to train alongside her, and one day, many years from now, have the honor of promoting her to black belt.
That is the true essence of Jiu-Jitsu: a legacy passed from one generation to the next
Presently he is a black belt.
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This is Erik Bubb Erik has been training Jiu Jitsu for 5 years at in Smithtown, NY, under the well respected Derek Mang...
17/06/2026

This is Erik Bubb
Erik has been training Jiu Jitsu for 5 years at in Smithtown, NY, under the well respected Derek Mangi & Sean Murphy, and came into the sport with 10+ years of experience in the sport of Wrestling.
Erik believes the best of us is found in letting go/walking away and “flowing” with life. This is a life lesson founded to him through Jiu Jitsu, as it is commonly understood that the sport is heavily a set of puzzles/problems that we are constantly flowing in Problem solving our ways through. Detach, let go of ego, and flow, grow, learn, and live with your unique God Given Purpose.
The sport of wrestling and Jiu Jitsu have played a large role in Erik’s current way of living, where he Now coaches wrestling and shares the important life lessons he has gained with the next generation of individuals. Dream big and flow/live your life with your God Given Purpose!
Presently he is a blue belt
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Thus is Dwayne DePeiza Dwayne is a black belt under Professor Derek Mangi and Professor Sean Murphy .With 16 years of t...
15/06/2026

Thus is Dwayne DePeiza
Dwayne is a black belt under Professor Derek Mangi and Professor Sean Murphy .
With 16 years of training, 6 years of competition experience, and more than 50 IBJJF tournament matches, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the mats.
As the Head Coach of the Kids Program, Dwayne mentors children of all ages and skill levels, from beginners to competition level athletes. He is passionate about helping young students build confidence, discipline, and strong technical skills while fostering a positive and supportive training environment.
Dwayne believes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a powerful tool for personal growth and is committed to helping the next generation succeed both on and off the mats.
Presently he is a 1st degree black belt
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This is Justin Judge Born and raised on Long Island, New York.Justin's martial arts journey began at 12 years old in the...
12/06/2026

This is Justin Judge
Born and raised on Long Island, New York.
Justin's martial arts journey began at 12 years old in the basement of a gym, where he started private wrestling lessons with Professor Derek Mangi. What began as an effort to improve his wrestling quickly became a foundation for life. Through Derek's mentorship, he learned discipline, accountability, humility, and the understanding that hard work always compounds over time.
When opened in 2015, Justin was one of the youngest athletes on the mats. Surrounded by law enforcement officers, wrestlers, military personnel, and hardworking adults, he was forced to mature quickly. Those years shaped not only the competitor he would become, but the man he would become.
As time went on, Jiu Jitsu became much more than a sport, it became a framework for life.
While attending , Justin founded the university's Jiu Jitsu club, , introducing over 70 students to the art that had already impacted him so deeply. Through leadership, training, and community, he continued to develop both on and off the mats.
After graduating, Justin left the traditional career path behind and bet on himself as an entrepreneur. The lessons learned through Jiu Jitsu, consistency, accountability, resilience, and relentless pursuit became the foundation for building a successful business and life on his own terms.
One of the greatest lessons Jiu Jitsu taught him was simple: keep showing up.
The mats taught him that setbacks are temporary, adversity is part of the process, and that faith, focus, and persistence will carry you further than talent alone ever could.
After more than 13 years of training under Professor Derek Mangi, Justin was promoted to black belt at 25 years old, becoming Monster's youngest black belt.
But the promotion carried a deeper meaning than most.
On the very same night, his father, , received his black belt as well.
A father and son earning their black belts together is an incredibly rare moment in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Years of shared sacrifices, victories, setbacks, and countless hours on the mats came full circle in a single night.
Today, Justin continues to train, teach, and give back to the community that helped shape his life. He believes the true value of a black belt is not what you accomplish for yourself, but how many people you can impact along the way.
Presently he is a black belt.

This is Manoel Miguel R. P. Júnior known as Tofeu.He is 31 years old and was born in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil. ...
27/05/2026

This is Manoel Miguel R. P. Júnior
known as Tofeu.
He is 31 years old and was born in Criciúma, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Manoel have been training Jiu-Jitsu since he was 5 years old, when he started in the sport through his brother-in-law, Sidney Santos, at his academy.
Throughout the journey, he went through different phases in Jiu-Jitsu until he joined the team, the academy he currently represent under professor
Manoel also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, balancing his professional career with his life as an athlete.
As a black belt adult competitor, he has won several Open championships in the middle-heavy and heavy weight divisions. In 2024, at the Brazilian Championship, he became the runner-up in the adult middle-heavy category.
Currently, he is competing in his second World Championship as an adult black belt in the middle-heavy division. Last year, he reached the quarterfinals, and this year Manoel returns even more prepared and motivated in search of a great result.
Even with financial difficulties and lack of structure, he never stopped believing in his dream. Jiu-Jitsu taught him to persist and keep moving forward. The greatest lesson he can share is: don’t give up, because your time will come.
Presently he is a black belt
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This is Alexandre Papa Manara He started training at 5 years old with his dad, . In his first years on the mats, Lele li...
26/05/2026

This is Alexandre Papa Manara
He started training at 5 years old with his dad, . In his first years on the mats, Lele liked soccer more than Jiu-Jitsu, but around the age of 9 or 10, he truly fell in love with the sport. Since the day he was born, he has always been part of his father’s school environment and surrounded by the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle.
Lele is very grateful to everyone who helped him grow and pushed his limits, even during the times when he didn’t want to become an athlete. Speaking of that, he made the decision to pursue the athlete lifestyle when he was 13 years old. There are many people he would like to thank, and to avoid forgetting anyone, he prefers to express gratitude to all the black belts who have helped him since the beginning, his childhood friends, his friends and training partners here in the U.S., his mom, brother, grandmother, his father and master, and also his family here in New York, Cadu, Kelly, and Kalu, who opened their doors for him.
Nowadays, Lele lives in Astoria, NY, training under .bjj at .studio
When talking about the “Ups”, he likes to define them as everything that brings happiness and gratitude into his life personal achievements, as well as the accomplishments of his friends and family. As for the “Downs”, injuries have definitely been the biggest challenge, something he has dealt with since childhood. Still, he doesn’t see them as problems, but as obstacles that can always be overcome.
Lele is deeply connected to his family and friends. He loves being around them, supporting their goals, and being part of their dreams and journeys. Outside of Jiu Jitsu, he is passionate about sports like soccer and basketball, video games, and music. He also enjoys listening to people, understanding their backgrounds, and learning about their lifestyles and experiences.
Accomplishments :
* Currently Top - 5 on IBJJF Overall Ranking
* Multiple IBJJF gold medalist
* IBJJF World and Brasileiros champion in the blue belt
Sponsors:



Presently he is a black belt
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This is Nicholas Arguelles He first stepped onto the mats when he was about 10yo, spending 4 solid years training under ...
15/05/2026

This is Nicholas Arguelles
He first stepped onto the mats when he was about 10yo, spending 4 solid years training under . By the time high school rolled around, Nicholas traded the Gi for a wrestling singlet. That turned out to be a pretty big turning point—not just because he ended up captaining the boys' team, but because that’s how he met his future wife. She was the captain of the girls' team, so grappling has been a part of their story from the very start.
After high school, things stalled out a bit between the pandemic and the general grind of life. When he finally got back into training under and a few years later, Nicholas was in a tough spot. He was working two jobs and dealing with a lot of personal stress without much family support. The academy became his escape; it was the one place where the outside world went quiet. Earning his blue belt after so many years of on-and-off training was a huge moment for him.
Life looks a bit different now that he is close to 25 and in the US Coast Guard. Serving as an Electronics Technician has been an incredible ride so far. Nicholas was moved up the ranks and had the chance to see a few different countries. Even with the deployments, he is still just as hooked on the sport as when he first started. Whenever he is not out at sea, he is right back at the gym, working on his game and picking up where he left off.
Presently he is a blue belt.
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