“In April 2009, I began training at the Guillobel BJJ Academy in San Clemente. I had never trained in any form of Martial Arts before and I knew very little about Jiu-Jitsu.

After meeting Sensei Paulo for the first time at the Academy, I felt very welcomed by you and I felt his enthusiasm about wanting to teach me the best Jiu-Jitsu. It was at this time I knew I was in the right place to begin training.

My first day at Guillobel, I had no idea what to expect with Jiu-Jitsu training; but after my first class with Sensei Paulo, I knew I had never had a more fun or more challenging workout in my life! I began taking 4 classes per week. When I began training I weight 178 pounds. After 3 months of training I lost 17 pounds and dropped 7.0% body fat. I felt like I was in the best shape of my life.

Since then, the Guillobel Academy has introduced me to a huge extended family of people that train in BJJ and I feel I’ve become a part of that family. I have made many new friends and I feel loke I am a part of something special. Thank you so much Paulo for teaching me Jiu-Jitsu.”

GREG TYSON
Businessman

Dad Chris Whelan and Son Christian

Dad Mike Hayes and Son Joshua

“I’ve been trained with Paulo for more than 6 years. In that period of time, Paulo made me a champion and, most important, a better person. I love to compete and it’s much easier to be a winner when you have a champion that knows how to make you a champion – and believe me it’s rare. I drive 45 minutes just to train with him and the team. And if you ask me if it’s worth, I tell you: I would drive 2 hours.”

ERICK BUTHSOMBAT
Financial Consultant

“Paulo Guillobel is not only a world jiu-jitsu champion, but more importantly, a uniquely gifted teacher of his art. Sensei     Paulo brings about positive change in students perhaps faster than anyone I’ve seen.”

JASON RANDAL
Renowned Ph.D. Peak Performance Expert and 7th degree Tang Soo Do Black Belt

“After the Free Introductory Private Lesson, I realized that a new world just opened up for me. Paulo made me feel secure and all the concerns about BJJ academies were gone. They are very family oriented, and I like that. I can learn on my own pace and with focus on my needs. I wish I could have found this place earlier.”

SAMUEL SARGENT
Marketing Consultant

“I had trained in other academies as a white belt, and what hooked me up is the simple fact that Paulo really was hands on. He is very engaged in his class, he pays extremely close attention to you, corrects you, and (it seems silly but) he rolls with you independent of your degree. In a good way, we just can feel his presence (besides the fact that he is there 24/7). You don’t find that kind of attention, quality of training, level of knowledge and fun anywhere else.”

JOE STAUFFER
Local San Clemente Business Owner

“I used to smoke cigarettes. It was a bad and old habit that I tried to get rid of many times with no success. Since my first class, I realized I could not keep smoking and train. I had to make a choice. Paulo and the team supported me so much that I don’t smoke for more than 8 months. I conquered that bad addiction and ‘acquired’ a good one.”

VIVIANNE BRUINJE
Massage Therapist

“Skylar is really in to it! She loves her class and looks forward to the next one. It makes me happy to see her engaged and to know that she is in a supportive and fun environment.”

GINA FIORENTINO
Proud Mom

“When I decided to put my kids in a Martial Arts, I thought my son would be the one interested. But after they take Paulo’ s BJJ class, my daughter also got interested by Paulo’s approach – very educational and fun!After a month of practice, I saw clearly how my kids’ s confidence improved. Even their teacher in school noticed it. For a parent, there isn’t a better reward.”

RICARDO GONZALES
Business Owner

“My name is Gary, I sit behind a computer most of the day. I checked out four other academy’s before settling on Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Like most people I always got very, very bored of going to a gym and running on the treadmill or lifting weights and would eventually stop going. So I decided to try Jiu-Jitsu and after checking out four academy’s that I didn’t like I am very happy to say I train with Paulo Guillobel. It is a friendly, safe place to learn Jiu-Jitsu and is mentally and physically challenging. I especially like the family feel of the academy and the friendly faces.”

GARY FOSTER
Business Developer

“Our family found a great way to have a good time together. My wife, kids and I train BJJ, and even when my nieces are in town, they train too. Since we started, we feel more united – by the uniform, mat and by Paulo’s philosophy. We are amazed to have this kind of place and incentive! Paulo daily creates that very oriented family environment. I’m very, very thankful for having chosen them.”

ANTONIO DE LA CRUZ
U.S. Marine Seargent

“Repetition and practice are essential to progress. Usually in any other academy they just ‘simulate’ the Take Down during a regular practice. At our academy, I learn and practice the full technique and movement on the right mat – avoiding any injury – over and over again for an entire hour.”

CORY WALTER
Engineer

“When I started training here at Guillobel Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, I knew absolutely nothing about Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.  I had trained in many martial arts throughout my life, but this art is unlike anything I have ever done before.  If you had asked my friends or my wife, they would have told you I was in pretty good shape.  I thought so too until I took my first few classes. I knew right away my conditioning would soon find a whole new level.

Not only are the classes fun, but the level of fitness you can achieve in such a short time is unmatched. I lost 30 pounds in my first 6 months! I thought I was in shape! I had no idea I had 30 pounds I could lose. I haven’t changed my diet and I’m not lifting weights but my body has been transformed. It’s great bumping into friends I haven’t seen in a while. The first thing out of their mouths is always something about how healthy I look. When you see yourself being transformed like this, it’s really easy to stay motivated to keep training and improving.”

JASON HUGHES
Entrepreneur