Meet your
professors.

Hector started his martial arts journey at 21 and never looked back. Training under Checkmat founder Leo Vieira, he built a reputation as both a fierce competitor and a natural teacher — someone who could inspire a total beginner and push an elite competitor in the same afternoon.

In 2018, Hector co-founded Academy with a clear vision: a school where students of all ages and backgrounds could genuinely thrive. His philosophy is built on discipline, respect, and continuous self-improvement. He has coached students from their very first class all the way to US National Championships in MMA.

Off the mats, Hector spends time with his family, competes in endurance mountain bike races, and stays deeply involved in the broader fitness community.

Eduardo is one of the architects behind Academy’s kids and youth programs. Every class structure, every curriculum milestone, every system that helps a nervous 5-year-old become a confident young athlete was built with Eduardo’s fingerprints on it. He received his black belt in 2024 under Checkmat founder Leonardo Vieira.

His coaching is rooted in mental strength and leadership — qualities he has applied not only on the mats but in running multiple businesses and guiding hundreds of families. As a husband and father, Eduardo brings a particularly grounded perspective to working with young students and their parents.

Born and raised in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil, Ricardo started his martial arts journey at age six. By his early teens he was training BJJ, Judo, Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and wrestling simultaneously. At 23, he earned his black belt under Francisco Santana and Celcio Venicius, representing the prestigious Ryan Gracie Team.

Ricardo moved to the United States at 27 and stepped into professional MMA, competing for LFA and Bellator with a record of 9-4-0. As a coach, he breaks down complex techniques with patience, clarity, and genuine enthusiasm. His classes are high-energy and non-judgmental.

Briana’s martial arts journey started at age 10 when she stepped into her first Muay Thai class. She trained striking for seven years before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 20 — and from the moment she hit the mat, she never looked back. Under the guidance of Lucas Leite at Checkmat La Habra, she developed into a decorated competitor and a natural teacher.

On the competition circuit, Briana has earned titles at American Nationals, the Pan Championship, No-Gi Worlds, and multiple Opens. But what defines her coaching isn’t the trophies — it’s her belief that learning goes both ways. She grows alongside her students just as much as she teaches them, creating an environment where technique matters, but so do fun, friendship, and the memories made along the way.

Outside the gym, Briana spends time with her sons (her dogs), practices yoga, heads to the beach whenever she can, and never misses a live game.

Zhargal grew up in Aginskoe, Russia, and built his martial arts foundation across multiple disciplines — boxing, judo, sambo, karate, and eventually Muay Thai, which became his calling. Competing in the middleweight division through the late 1990s and into the 2000s, he rose to become one of the most decorated Muay Thai athletes Russia has produced, claiming the World Championship title in 2000 after back-to-back regional and national titles across four consecutive years.

After retiring from competition, Zhargal channeled that same discipline into leadership and coaching. He served as Chairman of the Muay Thai Federation of the Republic of Buryatia from 2011 to 2022, shaping the sport at an organizational level while continuing to coach and work as a certified judge. He brings that depth of experience — as a champion, a coach, and a federation leader — to every class he teaches at Academy.