MEET THE BALANCE TEAM
Established in 2010 Balance Jiu Jitsu was created as a means to grow the sport/art of Jiu Jitsu in Winnipeg Manitoba. Our instructors have traveled and trained with some of the sports top-level athletes and instructors such as Caio Terra, Rubens"Cobrinha" Maciel, Vitor "Shaolin" Ribeiro, Leticia Ribeiro, Royce, and Royler Gracie, Andre Galvao, as well as many others in order to provide you with the most current and effective methods of training with proven results. Located centrally in the city Balance Jiu-Jitsu is committed to promoting hard work, physical fitness, health, and discipline through the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Yoga.
Balance Jiu-jitsu is more than just techniques, It's an opportunity for personal development.
Where our elite instructors come together to form an inspired system. We are driven by the same relentless pursuit of "Being better than who you were yesterday". We help create the possibility for people to maximize their potential within themselves.
Our incredible instructor team is truly the heart of Balance Jiu-Jitsu. It is their dedication, passion, and talent that keep students invested in the learning process. Take a look below to learn more about the team!
MATT MACDONALD
Owner/Head Instructor
With close to 40 years of experience in Martial Arts, and 20+ years in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Professor Matt MacDonald is a Black Belt under 5X European Champion Professor Rodrigo Munduruca.
Known for his attention to detail Professor Matt is responsible for coaching the top Kid/Teen Jiu-
Jitsu athletes in Manitoba, as well as Manitoba's first and only Jiu-Jitsu instructor to produce a GOLD medal in the most prestigious Kid/Teen tournament in the world the IBJJF PanKids World Championships.
"The Martial Arts have taught me countless lessons. Of all the philosophies I've learned, my favorite is discipline, persistence, patience & courage. What most people look for in books, Jiu-Jitsu teaches you in practice. What we need to understand is without great teachers we can never go too far. During my journey, there have been lots of ups and downs, and regardless of my mission one thing is true: I always sought to improve. I keep training because every time I think I know a technique well, I realize that I either thought I knew or at best, I could always do it better." Prof. Matt
Accomplishments include:
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IBJJF recognized Black Belt
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Black Belt 3rd Degree Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
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Black Belt 1st Degree Jishin Do Jiu Jitsu.
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Black belt in Shotokan Karate.
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Black Belt in ITF Tae Kwon Do.
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2012 Manitoba Open Jiu Jitsu.
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Champion Gi and No-Gi Feather Weight Division.
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2002 Ground Wars Gold Medalist Adv. Feather Weight Div.
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UCW MMA Veteran
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Canadian Jiu Jitsu Association Certified Referee.
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Sport Manitoba Coaching.
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Respect in Sport Activity Leader Certificate.
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Sask Sports inc. Respect Group Certificate.
Lineages:
Lineage 1: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Alvaro Barreto>
Sylvio Behring > Rodrigo Munduruca > Matt MacDonald
Lineage 2: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Flàvio Behring > Mauricio Pereira > Rodrigo Munduruca > Matt MacDonald
MARCIA MACDONALD
Owner/ Yoga Instructor/ BJJ Coach
Professor Marcia has over 20 years of experience practicing and teaching yoga and is a Certified lyengar Yoga Instructor. With over 100k+ hours of mat time, Marcia holds the rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and shares her knowledge by assisting in our Jr Kids, and Kids program; Along with Solo classes, Beginner & Intermediate drill sessions.
Marcia is excellent with kids of all ages and has been blessed to have the patience of a saint, an amazing coach for all students beginning their BJJ journey!
Marcia holds the following certifications:
Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Certified Iyengar Yoga Instructor
Sport Manitoba Coaching
Respect in Sport Activity Leader Certificate
Lineages:
Lineage 1: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Alvaro Barreto > Sylvio Behring > Rodrigo Munduruca > Matt MacDonald > Marcia MacDonald
Lineage 2: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Flàvio Behring > Mauricio Pereira > Rodrigo Munduruca > Matt MacDonald > Marcia MacDonald
LOGAN MACDONALD
Assistant BJJ Coach
Assistant Coach Logan MacDonald brings a wealth of knowledge to the mats with over 9 years of competition experience in some of our sport's largest and most prestigious tournaments in the world. Being the first Kid in Manitoba to ever achieve Gold in an IBJJF PanKids Tournament.
Logan provides a wide range of knowledge to support students from all backgrounds and levels.
Accomplishments include:
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N.A.G.A (North American Grappling Association).
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4x N.A.G.A Champion.
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2024 IBJJF Jiu Jitsu Con International Open GOLD
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IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation).
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IBJJF 2020 Pan Kids GOLD.
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IBJJF 2022 No Gi Worlds Gold and Silver.
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IBJJF 2023 Toronto Open Gi Gold.
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IBJJF 2023 Toronto Open No Gi Gold.
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IBJJF 2022 Worlds Bronze
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IBJJF 2022 Pans Bronze
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IBJJF Pan Kids Bronze.
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IBJJF Kids International Open Silver.
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UAEJJF (United Arab Emirates Jiu Jitsu Federation).
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UAEJJF 2X Canadian National Pro Champion.
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UAEJJF AJP Tour International Pro Champion.
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12x Grappling Industries Champion.
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3x MNBJJF Champion
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15x Manitoba Open Champion
Wrestling Accomplishments include:
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Manitoba Provincial Champion
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Western Canada Games Bronze
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Sport Manitoba Coaching
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Respect in Sport Activity Leader Certificate
GIL TORRES
BJJ Professor
Gil brings a ton of knowledge to the mats with over 15+ years of experience in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA. He is a black belt under World Champion Rodrigo Munduruca. Bringing first-hand competition experience in Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, and bodybuilding Gil is a tremendous asset to Balance Jiu-Jitsu. Gil's work ethic is inspiring to those who train with him, just do not ask him about his flexibility.
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IBJJF Referee Course Certificate.
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Respect In Sports Manitoba
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Manitoba Open Coach & Balance Team Coordinator
Lineages:
Lineage 1: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie >Alvaro Barreto> Sylvio Behring > Rodrigo Munduruca > Gil Torres
Lineage 2: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Flàvio Behring > Mauricio Pereira > Rodrigo Munduruca > Gil Torres
Mike Agliam
Assistant BJJ Coach
Mike can be found shaping the new generation of BJJ ninjas and co-teaching fundamental kids classes. With over 13 years of experience, He is always ready to lend a hand, regardless of age or rank. Mike is one of the friendliest people you will ever encounter.
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13 years of Jiu-Jitsu experience
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Brown Belt
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Respect in Sports Certificate
