Meet The Team

Jorge (Guapo) started Brazilian Jiu Jitu with Mestre Itaborá in 2009.  Jiu Jitsu for him has been a continuous learning experience that has helped in grow in many ways.  This is what has kept him coming back over the years.  Guapo is passionate and committed to this martial art.  He has participated in several tournaments including the American Cup, Allstars and others.  Apart from Jiu Jitsu, Guapo also has a background in boxing, Muay Thai and capoeira.  He received his Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu in 2022 and has been teaching classes for several years.

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A lifelong dedicated martial artist, Professor Gilbert began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2011 under Professor Itabora and proudly earned his black belt in 2024. His martial arts background also includes years of boxing and a black sash in Choy Lay Fut Kung Fu under Sifu Tat Mau Wong. His personal mantra is "no losses, only lessons".

Outside of the dojo, Gilbert's a Bay Area native who's graduated from San Mateo High School & the University of San Francisco, with decades experience in Information Technology and is currently a consultant for a boutique MSP specializing in support & security for private equity & venture capital firms. He's happily married with a beautiful daughter, Alyssa, who shares his passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Gilbert enjoys traveling abroad, spending quality time with friends & family, and exploring new culinary adventures.

Herbert's love of Brazilian Jiujitsu began in 2009 while attending UC Santa Cruz. He joined this school in 2015, and received his black belt from Mestre Itabora Ferreira in 2024.  Off the mat, Herbert is a software engineer and takes a first principles approach to his jiujitsu training. He's also a father to two young kids, and looks forward to them one day joining him in class.

Dr. Sorrell began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in May 2007 under the professorship of Mestre Itaborá Ferreira. That same month he entered his first of over 70 local, state, national, and international jiu-jitsu tournaments by competing in the first World BJJ Championship to be held on North American soil in Long Beach, California. Though he did not receive a medal in that tournament, it was an important learning experience in his competition journey that helped him receive over 60 medals across all belt levels of competition. Dr. Sorrell earned his Black Belt from Mestre Itaborá in 2017. He is passionate about this beautiful martial art form and brings that same love and passion to the instruction of each class he teaches. Dr. Sorrell also brings his scientific perspective as a clinical psychologist to Jiu Jitsu by lecturing and publishing on the multifaceted benefits of Brazilian Martial Arts.

While having amassed countless learning opportunities in jiu jitsu seminars, private instruction, and going to various schools around the country, Dr. Sorrell has trained under the instruction of Mestre Itaborá since 2007 for the outstanding values and principles held by Mestre Itaborá and taught to the students, excellent instruction and attention to detail, the culture in the academy surrounding care for each member, integrity, supportive learning, and respect. This is a place to learn and grow as an individual as well as a way to be part of a family of Jiu Jitsu practitioners, whether you are training for competition or simply the love of the art.

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I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under Professor Itabora Ferreira.  I started training with him in the summer of 2019.  As a father of four, Jiu Jitsu has given me the opportunity to share time with all of my children on and off the mats. We see Jiu Jitsu as a life skill similar to swimming. We love sharing the mats with all others eager to learn.

I see my self as a committed learner and hope to practice Jiu Jitsu for as long as possible. In this vein I always look for opportunities to improve either from my professors or from my peers including my children.  As a man of faith I enjoy serving my community either through my church, West Coast Celebration, or other various youth sports leagues and other community based activities.

Professora Malagueta started her capoeira journey in 2000 with Mestre Itaborá.  Since then she has been through medical school, residency and started her career as a primary care physician with capoeira nourishing her body and spirit.  She sees capoeira as much more than just exercise, but an art form that allows for self expression, language acquisition, community-building and much more.  There is always more to learn and that is what has kept her connected to capoeira and will continue to do so.  Professora Malagueta has a special area of interest within medicine in the field of Lifestyle Medicine and capoeira has helped her to have the tools to guide patients on their own personal health journeys.

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Alfred (Rapadura) started Capoeira in 2005 with Mestre Itaborá, then began his study of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2011.  He finds that both Capoeira and BJJ offer a unique and fun approach to fitness, personal development, and community building.  This is what keeps him coming back: an opportunity to contribute to a supportive environment for others to achieve their wellness goals.  Alfred is a Certified Coach in FlowFit, TACFIT Clubbells, and VKNJA Steel Mace.  Outside of training, Alfred is a busy husband, father of 3, and has healthy obsession with coffee and pizza.

Professora Lombriga started training capoeira in 2006, as part of a New Year’s resolution to “try new things.” Since then she has visited and trained with different teachers and schools throughout the USA, Europe, and Brazil. Initially drawn to the art form for its dynamic movements, learning how to play capoeira music and instruments has become a more central role in her journey.

As a mother of three, she has practiced capoeira through 3 pregnancies and postpartum recovery, and strongly believes that capoeira is a martial art that is adaptable and possible by every body and different lifestyles.

She has experience in teaching adults as well as kids classes, and is an active member of the capoeira community. Outside of capoeira she is passionate about her family, strength training, and freelances as a graphic designer.

Professor Mostarda began his capoeira journey in the mid-90s when he was 16 years old, in the suburbs of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, under the guidance of Mestre Linguica (Marcio André). Capoeira has always been an integral part of his life, bringing musicality, culture, connections, and fun. It has been essential in providing balance to his educational pursuits. Professor Mostarda holds a Doctorate in Neuroscience. After completing his postdoctoral studies at Stanford University, he sought a mentor to continue his capoeira journey in California. He found this mentor in Mestre Itaborá, who imparted knowledge, kindness, and a deep love for the art of capoeira.

The challenge of learning new movements, music, and the Brazilian-Afro Diasporic culture, along with its historical events and facts, brings him joy and motivates him to continue practicing and teaching capoeira to future generations.

In addition to his passion for capoeira and his career as a scientist in the biomedical field, Professor Mostarda loves his family and enjoys teaching capoeira to his two children. He also enjoys other sports like surfing, snowboarding, and soccer.

I am a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu blue belt under Mestre Itaborá Ferreira. I started my BJJ journey in 2022 and have been thoroughly enjoying the adventure. From participating in BJJ Tour, to assisting our dojo's kids in their own tournaments, to helping our own classes, I love it! You will often find me in classes as an assistant to the coaches, mostly for adults class, and occasionally, the kids' class. 

I have much to learn, and I am always looking for ways to improve. I love chatting (yapper) and physically trying all types of move sets with fellow Jiu Jitsu Science practitioners (any person, any skill, we all learn from one another!). See you on the mats!

Paul is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under Professor Itabora.