Another Blast from the Past!

Happy to see my jiu jitsu brother Mike on the mats again. I have known Mike for 15 years.

2024 End of Year Belt Promotions at Gracie Barra Sorrento Valley

This is the first belt promotion at the new location for Gracie Barra Sorrento Valley. Congratulations to all those who got promoted!

Some Old Friends Stopped by at Gracie Barra Sorrento Valley

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with some old friends. I have known Professor Sammy and Daniel for 11+ years.

We all trained at Professor Dominic's school, Gracie Barra San Diego, back in the day.

Visited Some Old Friends at Gracie Barra Sorrento Valley

Paid a visit to some old friends. Thanks Gracie Barra Sorrento Valley for the welcome. I met Professor Dominic and Professor Justin 14 years ago when I started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Professor Dominic's school was the first school I trained BJJ. I got my blue and purple belts there.

Celebrated Magid's Birthday

The GB Escondido Black Belts took Professor Magid to Manna BBQ in San Marcos out for this birthday. Professor Magid said this was his first time ever having all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ.

2023 Year End Black Belt Photo at Gracie Barra Escondido

Another wonderful year of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Thanks Gracie Barra Escondido and team!

2023 IBBJF Worlds

Rode up with Professor Jose Marroquin to watch the 2023 Worlds with Profressor Magid Hage and the Gracie Barra Escondido crew.

Got a Stripe on my Black Belt

Got a stripe on my Black Belt. Thank you all my training partners at @graciebarraescondido

AJ Agazarm Viisted for Little Magid's 3rd Stripe Black Belt Promotion

 

GB Escondido Christmas Party 2021

Got my Black Belt!

Got my Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu today. Thank you to Prof. Magid and everyone at @graciebarraescondido. Also thank you to all my training partners past and present. My BJJ journey has been very fulfilling.

4th Stripe Brown Belt

Got my 4th stripe on my Brown Belt today after Advanced Class. Here's the class picture.

3rd Stripe Brown Belt

Got my 3rd Stripe on my Brown Belt today in 7pm Advanced Class.

I forgot to make a post when I got my 2nd Stripe on my Brown Belt. I think it was last year at the Gracie Barra Escondido Christmas Party (mid December 2018).

[Updated] A Post About Gracie Barra HQ's Awesome Customer Service

Remember the gi I bought when I visited Gracie Barra HQ? Well, the patch on the pants started to come off. I was pretty disappointed and upset that a gi that I have only had for 2 weeks and the large circle GB patch on the pants is starting to come off due to poor stitching. I contacted Gracie Barra HQ because I bought the gi from them. I wanted to exchange the whole gi or just the pants for another one. Or get a partial refund so I can pay someone to properly stitch the patch back on. My GB gi from 8 years ago never had a patch come off, I'm still wearing that gi to this day. This gi couldn't even last a month.

Gabriela from Gracie Barra HQ responded promptly providing multiple solutions. Because the gi was purchased using GB Irvine's POS, and not through graciebarrawear.com, they are unable to process a partial refund to reimburse me for taking them in for repair. They suggested that they can take the pants in for repair for me! And if that didn't work, they can also reimburse you in the form of store credit.

Since I just wanted a gi that "works", I opted to get the pants repaired. They quickly sent a shipping label and I dropped off the package. In less than a week, I got my gi pants back with the patch properly sewn on. I am very glad that Gracie Barra HQ took responsibility, even though Storm Kimonos made the gi, and made things right. Knowing this, I wouldn't mind making another purchase from Gracie Barra HQ.

[Update on Jan. 24, 2019]
Same gi new issue. Small GB patch on front of gi is coming off due to poor stitching. I only wear this gi every other week and have only own it for less than 6 months. I have 3 GB gi's in my rotation. This is the only gi giving me problems. :(

I reached out to GBWear about this issue and they promptly sent me a return label and fixed it for me.  It took about 1 week for them to get it back to me, but their customer support is awesome and I will not hesitate to purchase another gi from them. Nowadays, all gi's are the same for me. It's the customer support that sets them apart.

Visited Gracie Barra HQ to buy a Gi

My first and only time I have ever visited Gracie Barra Headquarters in Irvine was to buy a gi. My professor was insisting that I buy another Gracie Barra gi. When I dropped by, they were just ending the advanced class and started rolling. A Black Belt named Mike helped me out. At first, he said that the girls running the shop were out today, but after I told him I drove from San Diego he missed out of some rolling to help me buy an Strom A1 Gracie Barra gi. He did tell me to hold off on buying the gi because they were going to switch over to Adidas gi's, but I insisted because my professor insisted.

1st Stripe Brown Belt

Got my first stripe on my brown belt today in advance class.