Jiu Jitsu Foundation

My son Gavin goes here and I can’t tell you how much we love it. The instructor’s are amazing.

Master Cadu and Gabby are people who really care about their students and families. My son looks up them both and holds on to every compliment they have given him. Their instruction is delivered with thought and with an understanding of their student’s needs. Gabby and Cadu are pillars for our community and I appreciate their dedication to teach kids the art of jiu jitsu, but more importantly, how to translate this towards living life reflectively.

My son is training at this place for about two years now. We are super happy with the results inside and outside the mat. Outstanding work.

My daughter has been attending jiu jitsu foundation for about six months. There has never been a dull moment. When she first started everyone was extremely welcoming and patient. Master Gabi and Master Cadu hold the classes with structure, fun and patience with each and every child. My daughter has gained confidence in herself as well as formed another level of respect towards others. Thank you jiu jitsu foundation for everything you do for our future generations!

The jiu jitsu foundation has amazing instructors that not only teach martial art skills, but life lessons as well. They handle all the students with such patience and care. It’s clear they truly care about everyone that walks in.

I dropped in to take a class so I could get a feel for the school. My experience was great. I found a great bunch of highly skilled guys who were very friendly and inviting. I was very impressed with the instructor, and the students. Everyone was very helpful and happy to have a visitor to train with. I highly recommend the Jiu Jitsu Foundation to anyone. Thanks for allowing me to train with you!!!

JJF is the best! Master Cadu and Master Gabi are just amazing with the children. Our son has learned so many techniques, gained self confidence and control, most of all has a great time. They have fun events for the families to interact and even nighttime bonding events for the kids. :) We LOVE JJF

This was the best thing we have done for our son. He was having a hard time in school and was to rough with other kids. After putting him in the jjf he is a kind and respectful kid. They are amazing and positive. We are blessed to have found master cadu and master gabby. Thank you!!!

Amazing instructors dedicated to the whole child and we have had nothing but positive experience there! highly recommend this place LOVE IT Love their attitude, compassion, understanding, willingness to help and most of all the true genuine care that goes into the instruction, starting from Master Cadu, Master Gabi and the rest of the incredible dedicated staff!
We may try sports and lots of other things but will hopefully never stop bringing our son here, until he decides different. we are hoping for a long term relationship and have already been there 2yrs!

Respectful, professional and fun. But please, don’t take my word for it. Try it for yourself!

I’ve been training at Jiu Jitsu Foundation for 4 ½ years. Master Cadu and Master Gaby are by far the best instructors ever. Everyone is friendly and patient. This is the best place to learn if you are a beginner or if you have been rolling for a while. I highly recommend this studio!

Thought I had already written a review here, guess it didn’t go through on my phone.
I was taught here for around a year and a half by Cadu and Gabi Francis. This was the third BJJ school I had been to, and by far the best. Cadu and Gabi are great coaches and seem to have a ton of patience, especially with the kids. They truly are masters of the sport and have their craft down to a science.
Having moved away recently, I tried out a couple of schools here that teach BJJ. The level of instruction is not even comparable to what the instructors at the Jiu Jitsu Foundation offer.
I miss this place for sure, and anyone in the La Mesa or San Diego area looking for quality BJJ instruction NEEDS to check this place out!

Today was my first visit ever, I was so impressed I signed up and got a uniform on the spot. I think this was the right move for me. Everyone involved are friendly and respectful.

The Tuesday and Thursday morning classes have a lot of purple and blue belts.

The Jiu Jitsu Foundation was literally the first martial arts academy I committed to from the various dojos/​gyms sprawled out over San Diego County. Cadu and Gaby are very committed to excellence from each of their students and its seen through their consistency and dedication along with passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Carlos «Cadu» Francis is very honed in when it comes to teaching even to the finest detail and his wife Gabi, is the perfect compliment with her style of instruction and her vast fitness knowledge.
San Diego is a great hub for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Every studio seems to have the same elements when it comes to the amenities, competition levels, and training. What sets JJF apart from the rest is the camaraderie, enthusiasm and upbeat family vibe you will feel immediately as soon as you step onto that mat, whether your a day one white belt or a accomplished black belt. OSSS!

I’ve been watching UFC for nearly twenty years since the Gracies changed how the world saw martial arts. I’d wanted for years to train, but concerns about money had always held me back. Finally I just went ahead and took the plunge, and it was one of the best choices I’ve ever made.
I knew that I was getting something special when I saw that the instructors Cadu and Gabi were the real deal, actual Brazilian black-​belts. I had no idea just how good they were. The endless depth of their knowledge was one thing, but the fact is they are simply natural teachers who communicate effortlessly what you need to know in order to do better. They will have you doing things you didn’t know were possible in a short period of time. They will see you if you’re doing something wrong and help you do it right. They will give you the absolute best advice for you, not just generalized tips. Cadu kept telling me that I needed to moderate my energy output during sparring, but I didn’t listen well enough and sure enough I injured my shoulders. He had known what was coming and warned me, so the responsibility was mine. And yet he also guided me along as I rehabilitated my shoulders, found substitute activities for things that were too painful, and never ever made me feel bad about being able to do less. That demonstrates real maturity and wisdom.
Cadu and Gabi are very warm and personable people. You will see pictures of them on the walls with world champions, but they make everybody feel like a champion. Anybody who walks through their doors will feel respected. They know that anybody who comes there wants something more in life, and that’s good enough for them. They also throw parties and barbecues, and love to see not only you but your family come. They really loved seeing my toddler son come by (and here’s hoping they have a toddler of their own soon, heh). They also like to meet up at a local bar for UFC broadcasts, pool and ping pong.
Others have noted that having Gabi as an instructor really allows Jiu Jitsu Foundation to be a universal school. All ages are welcome, male and female. Female mixed martial arts are really on the rise, and most female jiu jitsu practitioners look pretty fantastic. Go Ronda Rousey!
I’m somebody who can’t really get to the gym or run miles every day. I get bored, I fall out of my routine. Jiu jitsu got me excited about fitness, and I attended religiously. The thing is, I was always interested in what I was doing. I was learning new techniques, and sparring, and finding my weaknesses, pushing my boundaries, and every day I didn’t go I knew I was sliding backwards. The rewards for going are endless. The reason it takes eight to ten years to get a black belt? Because that’s how long it takes to learn what they know. And yet they are not finished learning either. It’s a lifelong pursuit. It’s frankly devastating to me that I have to move away from San Diego and stop attending.
Finally, I want to address how Cadu and Gabi do business. I had a very bad experience with my step-​daughter attending American Kenpo Karate on University Ave., as they were relentless nickel-​and-​dimers. They charged huge amounts for testing and required 90 days warning to terminate a contract. That’s right, if you quit, you keep paying for three more months, for nothing. That’s absolutely not how Cadu operates. I don’t want to spoil some of the free things he gave me, but he definitely enticed me into joining with some sweet rewards, including plenty of time. When I started coming more often Cadu mentioned that it would cost some more, but he let it slide for quite awhile. I took six weeks off for an injury, and then came back for only twice a week, and he ended up never charging me that extra amount. When I announced that I had to leave San Diego and asked him not to charge me for next month, he said no problem.
THAT is how you do business. The people and Kenpo Karate felt entitled to my money even when they weren’t teaching my step-​daughter. Cadu is somebody so accomplished and proficient that he deserved every cent I paid him and much more, and yet he never pushed the issue. He’s a much smarter businessman that way. You can try to squeeze extra bucks out of people, but in the long run it comes back to bite you. Cadu believes in investing in his students and reaping the rewards long-​term.
Jiu jitsu is the greatest martial art, and Jiu Jitsu Foundation is the perfect place to learn it. If I ever return to San Diego, there’s nowhere else I’d want to go. If you just want to get fit, or if you’re an aspiring fighter, it’s all the same: this is the place you need to be.
Good luck to Cadu, Gabi, and their school. May they teach as long as Master Gracie.

I’ve been a student of master Cadu and Gabi Francis for over 2 years now and I received my blue belt under them. Its hard to describe how they/​Jiu jitsu have changed my life… I am in much better shape these days and in have grow mentally! I have recommend there academy to a couple of friends and I know they feel the same way. The academy also offers a program for higher belts destined to be black belt!!! It’s as technical as it is physically exciting! There’s a competition team for serious Jiu jitsu students, a kids class with students ranging 6 to 16, and they offer an all women’s class! THE SKY’S THE LIMIT WITH JIU JITSU FOUNDATION!!! Thank you Master Gabi and Cadu…
PS. The academy is very clean, and has great amenities such as workout equipment, showers, fresh towels, cold water (very important after a hard training) wi-​fi, soft mates that are lifted and double padded, and most important and great atmosphere!

I have been training at JJF for a little over 2 months now and absolutely love it. Cadu and Gabi are great teachers and really great people all around. Their facility is clean and new and everyone that trains there is really cool and helpful.
I had been kind of apprehensive about starting a jiu jitsu program because some of the other academies out there are sort of intimidating and seem to have goals seperate from mine. I’m really impressed with how friendly and nurturing JJF is with the students and how the students are patient and helpful with me.
The schedule works out perfectly for me as I work nights. They have classes that can fit anyone’s schedule. Coming in for a class before work really helps me get ready for my day. When I first started, I felt pretty beat up after class but that is starting to go away the more I go. Being a surfer I felt I was in pretty good shape, but now I realize that wasn’t true. I look forward to being able to participate more and achieving my goals at JJF.
T.F.

I have trained with Cadu since 2008. He has always been a thoughtful teacher. You don’t just get world class instruction, but insightful criticism and a personal and friendly approach to «The Gentle Art». He and Gabriela have made a fun, welcoming, family environment, appropriate for all age levels and abilities. This is also reflected in the students, who are very helpful and approachable, regardless of your experience level.
The facilities are very clean and project the professional environment that Cadu and Gabbi have worked hard to build. The mats are professional grade, built over a floating floor to absorb impact and always clean. The shower and locker room area are always in great condition and have ample storage space. Jiu Jitsu Foundation also provides various supplies needed for Jiu Jitsu including Gis, mouthpieces, t-​shirts and hats; all at competitive prices. I would strongly recommend buying your training equipment through them as the value and quality of their gear surpasses the stores around town.
The big difference between training here and at any average martial arts academy is that if you train at Jiu Jitsu Foundation, you will truly learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Many martial arts academies «award» higher belts to keep your business, instead of awarding you on what you actually learn. That is not only irresponsible business, but can be dangerous for students who believe they are more advanced than they are. When you earn a new stripe or a higher belt at Jiu Jistu Foundation, it is because you have genuinely earned it and have advanced as a student. This is where your hard-​earned money actually goes far and it is thanks to the honest, helpful training of Cadu and Gabbi. I cannot stress that enough. This is genuine training and while many dojos claim that, few prove it the way Jiu Jitsu Foundation does.
Come to Jiu Jitsu Foundation to learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and you will receive world class training, fun physical fitness and a great family environment that will motivate you beyond your expectations.

I’ve been training with Cadu and Gabi Francis for many years now.
They are awesome educators and professionals, the best teachers you will find, dedicated to your health and athletic development.
I have taken self defense classes and Pilates at JJF and I simply love the classes and the new space!