Founder & DIRECTOR OF MARTIAL ARTS OPERATONS
VINI IS IS A 3 DEGREE BLACK BELT FROM BRAZIL, HE IS A CHARISMATIC AND LOVING PERSON. VINI BELIEVES IN LIVING JIU JITSU AS A LIFESTYLE AND HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THE BJJ BENEFITS WITH EVERYONE!
CEO
CAMILA IS A BJJ PRACTITIONER, MOM OF 3 KIDS WHO ALSO PRACTICE JIU JITSU AT ESSENCE. SHE IS DETERMINED TO CREATE A LIKEMINDED COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT WALNUT CREEK WITH A FRIENDLY AND SAFE SPACE FOR ADULTS AND KIDS.
GENERAL Manager
One of KAYLEE’S favorite things about Jiu Jitsu is working with other women, empowering each other to be our strongest and most powerful selves. SHE also loveS helping teach kids classes.
COACH
“The lessons I’ve learned on the mat have shaped me into a better person. My goal is to share my knowledge and experience with the students, helping them build confidence, discipline, and resilience both on and off the mats.”
PROFESSOR
Brian emphasizes consistent, incremental improvement as the path to mastery in both Jiu Jitsu and life. He believes firmly in Jiu Jitsu’s transformative potential, empowering the students to become healthier, stronger, and more resilient individuals.
supervisor
I’m a psychologist with extensive experience in human development and behavior. I believe Jiu Jitsu transforms lives by building confidence and resilience to face everyday challenges. At Essence, I hope to integrate the core values of Jiu Jitsu with psychology, serving as a facilitator for personal and emotional growth.
ASSISTANT COACH
As a teen, achieving goals is what I strive for — but what does that motivation mean if there are no goals? Jiu Jitsu brought a goal into my life: to improve. Being able to help provide goals for others makes me feel more complete.
ASSISTANT COAch
“Jiu Jitsu has been one of the best, most life changing experiences for me. Not only has it helped me get in better physical condition but it’s also helped with problem solving and remaining calm in stressful situations both on and off the mat. One of the best things about working with kids is not only watching their jiu jitsu skills grow but also their confidence.”
PROFESSOR
Jason is a 3rd-degree Brazilian passionate about sharing the art that profoundly impacted his own life. He believes Jiu-Jitsu fosters a healthier lifestyle, builds confidence, and unites people in a supportive, growth-oriented environment. He has competed in top promotions like Bellator, PFL, and King of the Cage, HOLDING AN MMA 15–6 record.
ASSISTANT COAch
“Jiu jitsu has been amazing for developing my agility and stamina. Teaching younger classes is a great opportunity; it’s helped me build life skills like patience and effective communication. I love seeing the kids’ eagerness to learn and their pride in mastering the moves. This opportunity has brought me immense pride, not only from helping the kids but also from working with such skilled and caring teachers.”
ASSISTANT COACH
“Training martial arts has been truly transformative for me. Physically, I’m stronger, more flexible, and equipped with the skills to protect myself in dangerous situations. Mentally, I feel sharper, more focused, and more confident than ever before. The BJJ community—especially the Essence community—is incredible. Training has pushed me to grow both physically and mentally, but even more importantly, it has given me lifelong friendships. BJJ is for life!”
ASSISTANT COAch
“I started Jiu-Jitsu out of curiosity, hoping to find a fun way to stay active and meet new people. What I found was so much more. A lifestyle that has helped me become my best self, and a beautiful community that has quickly become family. Coaching kids has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Their creativity and curiosity always reminds me to approach the sport with playfulness. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that failure isn’t the end, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.
Founder & DIRECTOR OF MARTIAL ARTS OPERATONS
VINI NUNES
VINI IS IS A 3 DEGREE BLACK BELT FROM BRAZIL, HE IS A CHARISMATIC AND LOVING PERSON. VINI BELIEVES IN LIVING JIU JITSU AS A LIFESTYLE AND HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT SHARING THE BJJ BENEFITS WITH EVERYONE!
CEO
CAMILA FLAESCHEN
CAMILA IS A BJJ PRACTITIONER, MOM OF 3 KIDS WHO ALSO PRACTICE JIU JITSU AT ESSENCE. SHE IS DETERMINED TO CREATE A LIKEMINDED COMMUNITY AND SUPPORT WALNUT CREEK WITH A FRIENDLY AND SAFE SPACE FOR ADULTS AND KIDS
GENERAL Manager
KAYLEE SMITH
One of KAYLEE’S favorite things about Jiu Jitsu is working with other women, empowering each other to be our strongest and most powerful selves. SHE also loveS helping teach kids classes.
supervisor
GABRIELA COSTA
I’m a psychologist with extensive experience in human development and behavior. I believe Jiu Jitsu transforms lives by building confidence and resilience to face everyday challenges. At Essence, I hope to integrate the core values of Jiu Jitsu with psychology, serving as a facilitator for personal and emotional growth.
PROFESSOR
BRIAN EPSTEIN
Brian emphasizes consistent, incremental improvement as the path to mastery in both Jiu Jitsu and life. He believes firmly in Jiu Jitsu’s transformative potential, empowering the students to become healthier, stronger, and more resilient individuals.
COACH
EDUARDO CURADO
“The lessons I’ve learned on the mat have shaped me into a better person. My goal is to share my knowledge and experience with the students, helping them build confidence, discipline, and resilience both on and off the mats.”
PROFESSOR
JASON BUTCHER
Jason is a 3rd-degree Brazilian passionate about sharing the art that profoundly impacted his own life. He believes Jiu-Jitsu fosters a healthier lifestyle, builds confidence, and unites people in a supportive, growth-oriented environment. He has competed in top promotions like Bellator, PFL, and King of the Cage, HOLDING AN MMA 15–6 record.
ASSISTANT COAch
ryan henriques
“Jiu Jitsu has been one of the best, most life changing experiences for me. Not only has it helped me get in better physical condition but it’s also helped with problem solving and remaining calm in stressful situations both on and off the mat. One of the best things about working with kids is not only watching their jiu jitsu skills grow but also their confidence.”
ASSISTANT COACH
CLARK DOMINGOS
As a teen, achieving goals is what I strive for — but what does that motivation mean if there are no goals? Jiu Jitsu brought a goal into my life: to improve. Being able to help provide goals for others makes me feel more complete.
ASSISTANT COAch
EMILIE CEVALLOS
“I started Jiu-Jitsu out of curiosity, hoping to find a fun way to stay active and meet new people. What I found was so much more. A lifestyle that has helped me become my best self, and a beautiful community that has quickly become family. Coaching kids has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. Their creativity and curiosity always reminds me to approach the sport with playfulness. Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that failure isn’t the end, it’s an opportunity to learn, grow, and come back stronger.
ASSISTANT COACH
Pilar Souder
“Training martial arts has been truly transformative for me. Physically, I’m stronger, more flexible, and equipped with the skills to protect myself in dangerous situations. Mentally, I feel sharper, more focused, and more confident than ever before. The BJJ community—especially the Essence community—is incredible. Training has pushed me to grow both physically and mentally, but even more importantly, it has given me lifelong friendships. BJJ is for life!”
ASSISTANT COAch
MAYA DE LA CRUZ
“Jiu jitsu has been amazing for developing my agility and stamina. Teaching younger classes is a great opportunity; it’s helped me build life skills like patience and effective communication. I love seeing the kids’ eagerness to learn and their pride in mastering the moves. This opportunity has brought me immense pride, not only from helping the kids but also from working with such skilled and caring teachers.”
©2024 by Essence BJJ Walnut Creek School
Areas Served | All rights reserved | Sitemap
MONDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
TUESDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
WEDNESDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
THURSDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
FRIDAY 6:15AM – 7:00PM
SATURDAY 8:30AM – 1:15PM
SUNDAY CLOSED
MONDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
TUESDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
WEDNESDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
THURSDAY 6:15AM – 8:15PM
FRIDAY 6:15AM – 7:00PM
SATURDAY 8:30AM – 1:15PM
SUNDAY CLOSED
©2024 by Essence BJJ Walnut Creek School
Areas Served | All rights reserved | Sitemap
