Our female warriors
April Parks
Itzel Bazúa Aguilar
Julie Manasse
Founder | Event Coordinator | Head Coach
Our Wonder Woman!
Being the founder and head coach for our camps, April is your go to woman.
A mother of four beautiful children and a being a teacher doesn't keep her from training and competing in the black belt division on a regular basis.
- IBJJF Black Belt Masters 2 Champion
- 2x IBJJF Adult World Champion (blue, purple, 3rd place brown belt)
- NoGi World Champion (blue)
- 4x NoGi Pan American champion
and many more
Julie Manasse
Itzel Bazúa Aguilar
Julie Manasse
Founding Member | Mat Coordinator | Social Media | Lead Coach
Julie was with us from the very beginning and is a key ingredient of our success.
She is always there for you: supporting you, listening to your struggles or taking your arm - Julie is the woman!
- NY Pro Champion
- Pan Am Nogi Champion
- American National Champion
Itzel Bazúa Aguilar
Itzel Bazúa Aguilar
Itzel Bazúa Aguilar
Head International Recruiter | Guest Coach
A pioneer in women's Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Itzel is the first female black belt in Mexico under Robert Drysdale.
She is the leader of Zenith BJJ in Mexico and besides competing she works a referees and comes in handy with tips and tricks you need to know when competing.
Val Masai-Aspaas
Val Masai-Aspaas
Val Masai-Aspaas
Founding Member | Head Graphic Design |
Lead Coach
Coming from Buffalo, NY coach Val is living in Seattle WA and we are lucky to have her joining our camps.
Val is teaching BJJ since 2013, a ProMMA fighter, a teacher and our talented artist. Yes, if you were wondering where our beautiful artwork is coming from, now you know!
Bridget Grace
Val Masai-Aspaas
Val Masai-Aspaas
Lead North East Recruiter | Head Massage Therapist | Guest Coach
NYC finest! Bada** on and magical unicorn off the mats Bridget is teaching the women's class at Renzo Gracie NYC.
She is our spirit animal and always ready to shine bright.
Katie Hooven
Val Masai-Aspaas
Katie Hooven
Lead North East Recruiter | Guest Coach
Katie is training under Garry Tonon and leads the women’s program at Brunswick BJJ. She is a structural engineer by day and a mat savage by night. Katie channels lion energy on and off the mats and brings fun and excitement everywhere she goes!
Svenja Juffernbruch
Svenja Juffernbruch
Svenja Juffernbruch
Founding Member | Head Chef | Website |
Design Head | Lead Coach
All the way from Basel, Switzerland Svenja is teaching the Soul Fighters women's in Connecticut.
As an active competitor she has traveled and trained all over the world and looks forward to share the techniques she learned.
As a former restaurant manager she is also our secret weapon in the kitchen.
- IBJJF European champion (purple belt, silver blue no gi, 3rd white)
- IBJJF Pan American NoGi runner up
- IBJJF Master Worldchampion runner up (brown belt)
- IBJJF NY & Boston Open champion (brown belt, weight & absolute)
Angela Massaro
Svenja Juffernbruch
Svenja Juffernbruch
Health & Wellness Coach, Life Coach
Angela is a certified holistic health coach.
Working as a makeup artist, and stylist in NYC, she found that her clients would share it ALL with her. This fueled her passion for serving others.
Her unique methods gently transition you through life’s big, and small struggles with self-love and grace. She’s the real deal.
All talks are confidential, kick your feet up and have a chat with her.
- CHHC certification from The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, NY, NY
- Graduate Tony Robbins Institute Mastery University, Alicante, Spain