Gracie Barra Encinitas (GBE) offers world-class level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instruction for adults and children. And our students represent virtually every industry and profession you including school faculty, law enforcement, medical staff, active/inactive military, finance, law, service industry, and more. We strive to exemplify the highest ideals for fitness, character development, self-defense, martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training for the communities of Encinitas, Rancho Santa Fe, Solana Beach, Cardiff and La Costa.
GBE classes are aligned with the Gracie Barra Program Structure developed by Master Carlos Gracie Jr. to meet specific learning needs for people of varying ages, gender and levels. Our clean, friendly, safe, and progress-oriented environment allows students to have a challenging, inspiring, and friendly learning experience that is ingratiating and welcoming.
GBE was founded in 2005 by Master Nelson Monteiro, a 7th Degree Black Belt and Prof. Rafael Ramos, a 5th Degree Black Belt. Both Nelson and Rafael earned their Black Belts under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. GBE was the first ever Jiu Jitsu School in San Diego. Our founders have extensive tournament experience including over 40 championship tournament wins between them, including World Masters Championships. Their imprint on the Jiu Jitsu community is well recognized and significant, including establishment of the most prestigious Jiu Jitsu Tournament in the world today, ADCC, Abu Dhabi Combat Club. Today, we are proud to be the largest provider of Self Defense and core-value education in Encinitas and the greater San Diego area.
Professor Nelson Monteiro was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He started training when he was 13 years old under the direct tutelage of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. at the world-renowned Gracie Barra Academy. With unrivaled dedication, Professor Monteiro trained diligently until he was awarded the black belt in 1989; and in the same year, he received a bachelorʼs degree in physical education from Gama Filho University. Professor Monteiro is one of the original pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. After receiving his black belt and graduating from college, Professor Monteiro moved to San Diego in 1990 and began teaching Jiu-Jitsu out of his garage in Encinitas. After steady growth in enrollment, Professor Monteiro moved to a larger space in Del Mar, where the academy continued to prosper. After the 1993 debut of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experienced a meteoric rise in popularity. The world had now witnessed the effectiveness of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as the unassuming Royce Gracie used leverage and technique to defeat his larger and stronger opponents. People from all walks of life began to search for qualified instructors. As a result, the academy experienced even greater growth.
In 1995, a new student arrived at the academy. This new student would soon have a profound effect not only on Professor Monteiro but also on the future of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. The new arrival was Sheik Tahnoon Bin Zayed Al Nayan, a prince of the United Arab Emirates. Bin, as his friends would call him, became a dedicated private student of Professor Monteiro. After training for 8 months, the prince invited Professor Monteiro to come to the UAE to become his private Jiu-Jitsu instructor. Professor Monteiro accepted.
While training the prince and other enthusiasts in the UAE, Professor Monteiro helped to form the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC), which would evolve into the most prestigious grappling tournament in the world, the Abu Dhabi Submission Wrestling Championships. During this four-year period, Professor Monteiro also trained many champions in Vale-Tudo, MMA, and sport Jiu-Jitsu. With many accomplishments resulting from his stay in the UAE, Professor Monteiro decided to make his way back to Brazil.
In 2000, he and his family moved back to Rio de Janeiro. While living back in Brazil, Professor Monteiro opened a health club and continued his education in the field of sport physiology. In addition, Professor Monteiro continued his efforts in spreading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by traveling around the world conducting seminars. After four years in Brazil, Professor Monteiro and his family decided to come back to San Diego.
In 2006, Professor Monteiro opened Gracie Barra Encinitas. Since its grand opening, the academy has become one of the most respected Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools in the San Diego area. Professor Monteiroʼs positive attitude, charismatic personality, and passion for Jiu-Jitsu have been an integral part of the academyʼs success. Professor Monteiro is still an active athlete, competing in many of the major Brazilian Jiu-jitsu tournaments worldwide. With over 25 years of experience, Professor Monteiro is one of the most knowledgeable instructors teaching today.
Professor Rafael started training at the age of 13 , under legendary Master Carlos Gracie Jr. at the original Gracie Barra School in Rio de Janeiro , Brazil. Under Master Carlos tutelage Rafaelʼs extensive knowledge of the “gentle art” was formed at the same mats of the best BJJ instructors and fighters ever known. As a competitor Rafael won and placed in the biggest events, including multiple Brazilian Nationals, Rio de Janeiro State Championship, Brazilian Team, Pan American. Today, Rafael Ramos assumes, as his main mission, the task of passing on to students the teachings and techniques accumulated over a life of arduous training under the tutelage of Master Carlos Gracie Jr. And he maintains close ties to the Gracie Barra academy, to which he is grateful for his apprenticeship, and for the family values he learned that are so important to him.
As he puts it: “This sport is too damn fun not to go as much as your life permits!!!”
Professor Steve Gable, is a 3rd degree Jiu-Jitsu black belt, a World and National Masters NoGi Black belt champion. Steve is also a former professional mixed martial artist with an 8-2 record, who began training Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 under Master Nelson Monterio. Steve is now passionate about coaching aspiring martial artists here in Encinitas and around the world.
Professor Matt Smith has headed GB Encinitas’ Children’s Program and taught the Adult Fundamentals Programs since 2007. A lifelong martial artist, Professor Matt has taught children and adults for over 25 years. He brings a wealth of teaching expertise and methodology to BJJ, with extensive experience in recreational program development as well as competitive program coordination.
In addition to his black belt in BJJ, Professor Matt is a Kukkiwon certified 5th degree black belt in TKD. He is CPR and First Aid certified and served as a U.S. Infantry Marine.
Following 25 years in a corporate environment, Professor Dave was looking to transition his time to a rewarding community cause. It was during his 8 years of training Jiu Jitsu under Master Nelson and Professors Rafa, that he began volunteering and sharing his experience with the school he now considered family.
As an Instructor in our Kid’s Program, Professor Dave spends much of his time investing in our young students on the mats, at tournaments, and in our social and community activities. He gets great joy in seeing our kids become strong, respectful, confident members of our amazing school and community. “I am grateful for finding this school that has touched so many lives in a profound way.”
