Goodbye (for now) to New Friends — Brian and Jace
Posted by Gibran Maciel | Kaizen Jiu Jitsu Sacramento
One of my favorite things of owning a gym is the rising and receding tide of the people who come through the door.
Someone once told me, “You lose every student you ever have.”
At first, I took that as a pretty grim observation. But over time, I’ve come to see it differently — not as something sad, but as a reminder to enjoy the journey. To show up fully. To teach, train, and connect with people for as long as we’re lucky enough to share the mat.
In that spirit, we say goodbye (for now) to brothers Brian and Jace, who are on a statewide journey through California, visiting top Jiu Jitsu schools and soaking up as much knowledge as they can.
They spent the month of July stopping through several respected gyms here in Sacramento, including Kaizen Jiu Jitsu. We had the chance to train with them a few times — and it was a pleasure every single round.
Both brothers come from strong wrestling backgrounds. They’re athletic, explosive, and tough. But what stood out the most wasn’t their physical gifts — it was their humility, focus, and coachability.
As many instructors know, wrestlers often struggle to adjust to the rhythm of No Gi Jiu Jitsu. They may avoid guard, or stick to familiar takedowns that expose them to submissions like the guillotine. Talented athletes can sometimes default to what already works instead of doing the uncomfortable work of learning something new.
Not these two.
Brian and Jace were on the mat to grow — not just to win. They asked great questions, picked up technique quickly, and made space for everyone around them to train hard and feel welcome. They didn’t just train like competitors — they trained like students. And that’s something we value deeply at Kaizen.
Their next stop is San Diego, home to some of the most legendary No Gi schools in the country. I’m excited to see how far they’ll take it — and I wouldn’t be surprised if next time they visit, they’re the ones teaching me something new.
Until then, the doors at Kaizen Jiu Jitsu in Sacramento are always open.
Ready to start your own Jiu Jitsu journey?
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-Kaizen