TESTIMONIALS

Mike McPherson

I began training at START BJJ in December 2015. I was unsure of what I would find, and wondered whether I would fit in with the other students because of my age. I found a wonderful school I would recommend to anyone, no matter how old you are or your previous level of experience. From the first day I felt like I was part of a family. The instruction was first class training from people who are recognized throughout the world for their ability. The instructors here have a way of making every student feel like you are the most important person there. This is a rare quality, and it tells me that these world class athletes are just as interested in training excellent people as they are excellent martial artists. All this is done in an atmosphere of mutual respect, patient instruction and encouragement.

Whether you are looking to learn some self defense, just want to get in shape, want to seriously undertake the study of Brazilian Jujitsu, or even have the goal of being a World Champion yourself, this is the school for you. The military has other places for me to be. I leave with a heavy heart for the friends I have made here, but also full of gratitude for the passion these fine instructors have ignited in me to learn this art, and this way of life.

Jita Kyoei,

Mike McPherson

Robert Del Pozo

Just wanted to let you know how happy I am to have STARTED training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at your school. Needing to lose weight and get in better shape I decided to join after meeting with you. I’m glad that I had the courage to walk in for the first time as you and the other professors have been really supportive. They have made me feel welcome and most important the teaching of the techniques is excellent in my opinion.

Never having ever heard of BJJ before I didn’t know what to expect but now I look forward to the training and learning the different techniques. After training for the past 5 weeks I have already lost weight and feel great overall. I would recommend to anyone interested in learning self defense and getting in shape to Start BJJ at your school.

Thank you, Robert Del Pozo

Guilherme Pittigiliani

When you do what you love everything changes, everything turns exceptional. These people are hard to find, and we had lots of luck on finding Professor Rafael, that throughout the years has shown himself Not only as a master but also as a mentor and a symbol of dedication and professionalism.

Guilherme Pittigiliani

Patrick Gagnon

I would first like to thank you and your kind professional team who managed to make me comfortable and being particularly respecting my state of physical and mental being at my arrival. I was intimidated at my first day, but you took good care of observing and listening to my worries and took an approach to have me blend in quickly and gain confidence. At the age presently of 54 years old, and having not been active for so many years, I discovered that all my thoughts of getting old and hurting where just false excuses, and it was possible for me to regain quick physical and mental health back thanks to your classes. I personally found out that Jiu Jiusu was not a boring work out an that the close contact with other human beings is a good and fulfilling, done in a respectful exchange.

I am back up north with the snow birds for the summer and hopefully seeing you and your wonderful team next winter season. I would recommend your classes to all since there is a place for everyone who desires to take his or her place and make the effort of being a better person for themselves and others.

Patrick Gagnon

Craig Haley

Hi everyone, my name is Craig Haley. I own a martial arts school here in South Florida, I have been doing martial arts for the past 27 years, I also have had several Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the past, but I do want to take a moment to talk about my experience here at Start Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Pembroke Pines. I have the pleasure of training with professor Rafael for the past several months and I have to say that the quality of people that is attracted to this academy is outstanding, the level of instruction, the level of detail is absolutely incredible.I can feel my confidence as a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner increasing in my stand up self defense and on the floor. The work out we get here in the fitness is absolutely incredible.

So, I`m a life long martial artist and I continue to train forever and if you are considering martial arts, if you are looking for self defense, or a way to get in shape, I would strongly encourage you to try out the Start BJJ Academy down here in Pembroke Pines. I guarantee you will be well pleased with the quality of instruction and people and I think it will be the best move you ever made.

So give it a shot!!!

Craig Haley

Erick

I wanted to let you know that Ariana is thrilled with her first stripe. Marcelo gave a beautiful speech 🙂
Marcelo did an amazing job with the adults class. I enjoyed the class today as it was very much focused on self-defense. He spoke very highly of the school that you have established. Thank you again for your dedication and hard work.

It has been a great first month of Jiu-Jitsu.

Erick

Ben Simonson

“First, I want to say how much I enjoy and appreciate the training I’m receiving at your academy. From the quality and dedication of the instructors, to the positive attitude amongst the students, it makes for an overall superb training environment. I feel like I’m not only learning a valuable skillset, but am also training amongst friends.”

Ben Simonson

Michael Mitchell

This is Michael Mitchell “Mikeys Dad” I wanted to take a brief moment to explain why I decided upon choosing START Jiujitsu academy. I visited and watched several schools and used to train many years back prior to my accident. My son Mikey was about to turn 4 years old and I wanted to get him involved in jiujitsu. I wanted this not only for him but for myself as well. After taking Mikey to his free class two days after turning 4 years old I sensed a very open and warm welcome from not only the parents and staff but specifically from the students as well. I watched as a group of instructors taught these children from their hearts as if they were teaching their own children. They had patience, but at the same time commanded respect and taught these children discipline.

I was hooked and became a child all over again in my eyes watching my son. Professor Rafael immediately asked me when I was going to come as he studied my posture watching my little one train. He is a true master as he read right into my head. I joined immediately but the major selling point that Professor Rafael hit on the head was not me nor my son, it was my wife Mikeys mother Erika. He stopped and told her that he spoke with all the instructors and said Mikey is a very big kid as big as the 6 year olds in his class, but he knew he just recently turned 4. He told my wife that the coaches were made aware that although he was huge he was still a youngster and needed a bit more guidance. She fell in love with the school and made it a point to say she would take him when I’m not available to and to push me to train and support us both at START Jiujitsu. Thank you for letting us be a part of the family.

Sincerely, Michael Mitchell

Alexander Rakita

I’ve been training BJJ for about 5 years now, over these years I’ve moved a few times so I ended up training in different academies where I had the privilege to train under some great instructors. About 4 months ago I began training at START Jiu Jitsu Academy with prof. Rafael Gordinho Lima.

To say that training here has been unbelievable would be an understatement. Just today we had 3 black belts on the mats, two of them are world level competitors and coaches. Think about that for a second 3 black belts, when there are still many schools where the head instructor is either a purple or a brown belt (not that some of these guys are not good, but…. 3 BLACK BELTS).
It really clicked in my head today why all these people that visit the academy tell us we are so lucky.

Over the last 4 months I’ve trained with other World Champions, World’s Bronze Medalists, European Champions, Brazilian champions, MMA World Champions, Olympic team member judoka and many other amazing Black Belts, not to mention the colored belts that have come from across the USA, from Brazil, and Europe, each bringing their own flavor of BJJ. All of these people come because they want to train with prof. Rafael and I understand them.

Prof. Rafael has unbelievable technique and is an amazing instructor, plus he is a genuinely nice person. Being that, the atmosphere in the school is laid back, family like, but at the same time we all train hard and push each other. I really see this school becoming one of the go-to places to come and train, and I’m just glad that I get to train with all these immensely talented BJJers.

Alexander Rakita

Vinc Tan, from Singapore

Hi Professor Gordinho, I owe you a really big thanks in Jiu-Jitsu. And I’m very glad I had the chance to start Jiu Jitsu at Evolve when you were teaching then. Thanks for showing me how important basics are, the core of Jiu-Jitsu. And only with good basics one can solidify their base before learning the more advanced techniques.
All these important lessons have followed me through these few years of training Jiu-Jitsu. I always speak very highly of you and how lucky I was I ggt to train under you when you graced us in Singapore and at Evolve. I sincerely hope you are doing well with your new gym. I’m sure all the students and kids will benefit greatly from your teachings. Very appreciative to have trained with you at the start of my BJJ journey.
God bless you and your family.

Vinc Tan, oss

Lavenia Austin

PROFESSOR RAFAEL IS A WONDERFUL TEACHER. I WANT 2THANK U 4 HVN ANTHONY IN YOUR SCHOOL CUS ANTHONY LOVES GOIN TO YOUR CLASSES HE LOOKS FORWARD 2 HIS CLASSES EVERY WK HE WAKES UP EVERY MORNING ASKIN ME IF HE HAVE JIU JITSIU AN THEN HE WOULD SAY MOMMY I DONT LIKE SCHOOL I LOVE GOING 2 JIU JITSU ALSO THE PARENTS ARE FRIENDLY PEOPLE HIS BUILDING IS JST FILLED WITH LOVE AN LOVELY PEOPLE.

Lavenia Austin