MEET Our team.
Zack Ghalayini
Zack Ghalayini is a highly accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and instructor with extensive experience teaching adults and children under Ryan Hall, a jiu-jitsu legend and UFC standout. He holds multiple championship titles, including Pan-American and World Championships. He received his brown belt after just five years of training. Zack quickly rose to elite competition and is passionate about helping every student, from aspiring champions to anyone who’s eager to learn.
Caitlin Ghalayini
Caitlin is a Marine Corps veteran, graduate student, mom, and regular competitor. She started under 9th-degree black belt Ricardo Liborio before moving up to the DMV to train with world class competitors.
She won gold at the IBJJF Nogi Pan American and World Championships at blue belt middleweight in 2024, the same year she had her son. She received her purple belt soon after.
You can find her on the mats leading the women’s classes or on top of the podium! Come by to train with one of the best female competitors in the area.
Sam
Sam has trained at a high level in diverse sports including mountain bike racing, rowing, and rock climbing. He’s racked up over 300 competition matches in jiu jitsu since beginning training in 2020. When he’s not on the mats, he’s finishing his masters in computer science. If you want learn to transfer your skills from other sports to jiu jitsu, Sam is your guy.
Sophie
Sophie is a full time engineer, an avid knitter, and master gardener in training. Meet her on the mats, where she has found a way to balance her life while training and competing!