About
Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy offers Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, No-Gi classes, self-defense, and combatives. The academy offers specialized classes for children, teens, and adults, and provides a 7 day free trial for new participants. Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy is described as a sanctuary where the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brings people together and takes a holistic approach to develop outstanding character alongside martial arts ability.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The mission of Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy is to build athletes, strive to develop strong moral and ethical character in all students, and be a refuge to all in need, with a focus on bringing high level competitive jiu jitsu to the community and fostering an environment that focuses on faith, family, integrity, love and service. Refuge Jiu Jitsu is open to practitioners starting from age 5 and up and provides a safe space to grow into their best selves.
Jeremiah is the owner and lead instructor and is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with over fifteen years of training experience, who received his black belt in 2020 and previously served more than 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Special Warfare, including multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout Africa specializing in personnel recovery operations under high-risk, real-world conditions. Julian is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with over 15 years of experience training in both Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Dave is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, earning his rank in 2026, and has spent the last 18 years working as a registered nurse. Joel is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with over 11 years of dedicated training and received his black belt in 2023 from Ron Keslar at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. Gino is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, earning his rank in the summer of 2025, began training Jiu Jitsu at 7 years old, and has been training Muay Thai since the age of 16 with 17 Muay Thai fights (including 4 in Thailand) and 4 mixed martial arts fights, and he leads the academy’s Muay Thai program and assists with the overall kids program. Dan has over 10 years of experience as a law enforcement academy instructor specializing in Tactical training, Arrest and Control, and Physical Education, was promoted to brown belt at Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy in 2026, and teaches No-Gi classes as well as self-defense and combatives focusing on practical, real-world application. Tyler was promoted to blue belt in late 2024, serves as the Lead Pastor at Hillside Church in Cameron Park, and assists as a coach in the kids program.
Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy focuses on bringing high level competitive Jiu Jitsu to its community, and Tyler’s role as Lead Pastor at Hillside Church in Cameron Park is dedicated to serving and strengthening his local community. For a first class, participants are asked to wear comfortable athletic clothing such as a t-shirt and shorts or leggings, bring a water bottle, and, if they have one, a Jiu Jitsu gi, with the academy able to provide a gi if needed.
Last updated June 26, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
The mission of Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy is to build athletes, strive to develop strong moral and ethical character in all students, and be a refuge to all in need, with a focus on bringing high level competitive jiu jitsu to the community and fostering an environment that focuses on faith, family, integrity, love and service. Refuge Jiu Jitsu is open to practitioners starting from age 5 and up and provides a safe space to grow into their best selves.
Jeremiah is the owner and lead instructor and is a second-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with over fifteen years of training experience, who received his black belt in 2020 and previously served more than 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and Air Force Special Warfare, including multiple deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq, and throughout Africa specializing in personnel recovery operations under high-risk, real-world conditions. Julian is a first-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with over 15 years of experience training in both Jiu Jitsu and Judo. Dave is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, earning his rank in 2026, and has spent the last 18 years working as a registered nurse. Joel is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with over 11 years of dedicated training and received his black belt in 2023 from Ron Keslar at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. Gino is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt, earning his rank in the summer of 2025, began training Jiu Jitsu at 7 years old, and has been training Muay Thai since the age of 16 with 17 Muay Thai fights (including 4 in Thailand) and 4 mixed martial arts fights, and he leads the academy’s Muay Thai program and assists with the overall kids program. Dan has over 10 years of experience as a law enforcement academy instructor specializing in Tactical training, Arrest and Control, and Physical Education, was promoted to brown belt at Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy in 2026, and teaches No-Gi classes as well as self-defense and combatives focusing on practical, real-world application. Tyler was promoted to blue belt in late 2024, serves as the Lead Pastor at Hillside Church in Cameron Park, and assists as a coach in the kids program.
Refuge Jiu Jitsu Academy focuses on bringing high level competitive Jiu Jitsu to its community, and Tyler’s role as Lead Pastor at Hillside Church in Cameron Park is dedicated to serving and strengthening his local community. For a first class, participants are asked to wear comfortable athletic clothing such as a t-shirt and shorts or leggings, bring a water bottle, and, if they have one, a Jiu Jitsu gi, with the academy able to provide a gi if needed.
Last updated June 26, 2026.
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