Military BJJ - Community
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Jonathan Florendo is a U.S. Air Force Veteran who proudly served his country for eight years.
He is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belt with over twelve years of training, earning his black belt under Professor Eric Acha, a black belt under Jean Jacques Machado.
Following his military service, Jon continued his commitment to serving others as a professorial firefighter, a role he has held for more than fourteen years.
Jon currently coaches at Peninsula Self Defense in California, where he is dedicated to sharing the many benefits that Jiu Jitsu offers to service members and Veterans.
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Frank Concolino Jr. is a combat Veteran (OEF) who served ten years in the U.S. Navy as a Master At Arms.
He began his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2008 in Virginia Beach, earning his blue belt under Gustavo “Guga” Machado.
After separating from the Navy, Frank returned to New York, where he trained under Alexandre “Soca” Freitas and earned his purple and brown belts. While a brown belt, he started a children’s Jiu Jitsu program, teaching at a public library in Long Island, NY.
In 2018, Frank moved back to his hometown of Staten Island, NY, where he led a Jiu Jitsu program dedicated to teaching the youth of Staten Island Brazilian Jiu Jitsu .
Alongside his dedication to martial arts, Frank continued serving the military community by working for the Department of Veterans Affairs in Manhattan for six years, processing and reviewing disability claims for Veterans and their caregivers.
Frank was awarded his black belt in 2019 and received his first-degree in December 2022 under the Renzo Gracie lineage.
He is grateful for the opportunity to have trained and competed in Brazil and other South American countries throughout his Jiu Jitsu journey, learning from legends of the art such as Roberto “Gordo” Correa de Lima, Dennis Asche, Sylvio Behring, and many other respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu masters.
Frank is deeply passionate about sharing the invaluable lessons he has learned through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. His mission is not only to pass on these teachings to the military community but to all warriors of the light.
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