Gracie Barra San Clemente
"Organized like a team, fighting like a family."
Prof. Flavio Almeida
"Team's Mentor"
flavio@graciebarra.com
4th Degree Black Belt under Master Carlos Gracie Jr.
3 X World Champion, Pan-American, National, and State.
Professor Flavio sees his life through Jiu-Jitsu. As a practitioner he believes we are challenged daily to improve to become better then we are now. The lessons he has learned in practice transcend the dojo and allow him and his students to see life and its challenges from a very exciting and powerful perspective: “If we wrestle with challenges, we can overcome all the obstacles that lay between who we are and whom we dream to be.” He has accomplished my different things in his life to complement his Jiu-Jitsu. He dedicated a lot of his time in his early 20′s towards a degree in economic science. He still has a strong interest in the human side of economics and that has led him towards what is called the economics of sustainable development. After he graduated, he worked as a consultant for very exciting projects related to climate change, corporate responsibility, and environmental education. after a few years pursuing a business career, he decided to make a 180 degree turn and dedicate his life to something he always thought he was born to do: Build a Gracie Barra school.
Prof. Felipe Guedes
felipe.guedes@graciebarra.com 714-914-1284
2nd Degree Black Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida.
Pan American Absolute Champion.
4 X American Champion.
3rd Place at NoGi Worlds.
“BJJ is an essential part of my life, where I find happiness. It is where I learn how to fight inside and outside of the mat, it is where I test myself and my limits always trying to get better on everything I do, it is where I build friendships that will last a lifetime, it is what makes me Physically healthy and mentally balanced and finally now more than ever it is my tool to change people’s lives and get them to share with me the same benefits of this great lifestyle.”
Felipe was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil where he lived for 25 years with his parents and one younger brother. He was always fascinated by the “Human Machine” in all its aspects. He always wanted to be involved in something that would give him a the ability to help people.
Prof. Joe Morales
jmetalworks@pacbell.net
Black Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida.
Professor Joe is one of the most respectful wrestling coaches in South Orange County and a long-time conditioning and inspirational football coach.
Joe is a role model to all of us including the other coaches and professors. We all have so much to learn with him as his experience with the youth is something to admire. His two sons Vincent and Dominic were both part of the competition team since the beggining and now are graduating.
Prof. Matt Blasdel
2nd Degree Black Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida.
Professor Matt Blasdel is an amazing person, that goes above and beyond to inspire and motivate our students with his incredible caring class messages. Professor Matt is also a great technician and is always adding to the kid's games his deep knowledge of the art. His sweet and coragious daughter Brookelynn is also part of the team.
Prof. Eric Dietrich
Black Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida.
Professor Eric Dietrich has a long experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is very knowledgeable about the techniques, curriculums, and Gracie Barra Philosophy. He has been coaching the competition team for years now. His two daughters Eva and Ella are part of the team for a long time now also with amazing results. And on top of that Prof. Eric is also a doctor that is also looking over tghe safety of our kids.
Prof. Marcelo Nonaca
marcelo@nonaca.com
1st Degree Black Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida.
Professor Marcelo is one of the most advanced students at Gracie Barra San Clemente, with more than a decade of training Jiu-jitsu he has developed an effective and extremely technical jiu-jitsu game for small guys. He has become a key Coach to our competitors always proving to them practice after practice that technique is what prevails. His two sons Joe and Tino were both part of the competition team since the beginning and now Joe has graduated.
Coach. Travis Hill
Purple Belt under Prof. Flavio Almeida and Felipe Guedes.
Coach Travis Hill is an active marine and an excellent and super prepared coach. He is always ready to lead and guide our young athletes towards finding their full potential. His energetic son Tyde is on the comp team.