Cassio Martins
Our Coach
Expertise in teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is underpinned by a strong ethical approach to instruction. I graduated with a degree in Physical Education from the Universidade Católica de Petrópolis in Brazil, which provided me with knowledge not only to teach different age groups, sports, and resistance training, but also how to organize events and tournaments, engage in children’s recreational activities, and develop new curriculum.
My teaching methods are based on current leading international practices and aligned with the published literature on teaching in physical education. I have enjoyed an acclaimed international career and am now establishing myself as a permanent Canadian resident in Moncton, NB.
My goal is to assist new students in gaining a variety of useful attributes through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, such as problem-solving skills, self-discipline, and fitness.
Our Mission
Our mission is to help people on their way to meet the best version of themselves.
We believe that through Jiu-Jitsu we can unleash our full potential as human beings by being resilient while facing challenging tasks, learning how to defend ourselves, making lifelong friends, practicing meaningful physical activities, and improving our self-awareness.
The Knots Jiu-Jitsu program was designed to be fun, making learning faster, efficient, and enjoyable.
A playful approach can also enhance productivity, bonding, and communication. Playful people have the ability to transform everyday situations, even stressful ones, into something entertaining.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a highly effective form of non-violent self-defense. It is all based on leverage, action-reaction, torque, and positioning. It seems unrealistic but the moves and movements require a minimum of strength, power, or flexibility, relying more on your commitment to show up and learn.
Jiu-Jitsu is not only a self-defense system, sport, or an activity to burn some calories, it is a full package for the body, mind, and soul.
Interested in joining or just learning more?
Graduations
· Elementary School: Colégio Santa Isabel from 1993 to 2001 (Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil).
· High School: Instituto Educacional Professor Alaor from 2002 to 2004 (Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil).
· University: Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education at Universidade Católica de Petrópolis from 2005 to 2008 (Petrópolis, RJ, Brazil).
· Master’s Degree: (Incomplete) Exercise Physiology at Universidad Católica Nuestra Señora de la Asunción (Asunción, PY).
Languages
· Portuguese: Mother language.
· Spanish: Proficiency validated by UFRGS (Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul).
· English: Fluent.
· Judo: Fifth Kyu (yellow belt) at Judo Escola Yama-Arachy.
· Jiu-jitsu: Black Belt in Gracie Jiu-jitsu under Breno Angelo and Rolker Gracie.
· 1st place in Rio de Janeiro’s Jiu-jitsu ranking on December 20th, 2009.
· 2nd place in the World Cup by Confederação Brasileira de Jiu-jitsu Olímpico in 2010.
· No-Gi State Champion in 2011 by FJJ/Rio.
· Competitor in the Pan-American (Irvine, CA) in 2012 by IBJJF.
· Great experience working as a bracket manager at World Jiu-jitsu Pro (Abu Dhabi) in 2013.
· 3rd place in the Asian Jiu-jitsu Cup in 2014 by UAEJJF.
· 2nd place in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-jitsu Cup in 2014 by UAEJJF.
· Competitor in the World Jiu-jitsu Pro (Abu Dhabi) in 2014 by UAEJJF.
· Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar at Evolution Training Center, Fredericton, NB, Canada, in December 2014.
· 2nd place in the Abu Dhabi Jiu-jitsu Cup in 2015 by UAEJJF.
· Coached two pupils who received gold medals in the World Jiu-jitsu Pro (Abu Dhabi) in 2015.
· Received by His Highness Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in recognition of efforts and results achieved as a Jiu Jitsu coach.
· Competitor in the World Jiu-jitsu Pro (Abu Dhabi) in 2015 by UAEJJF.
· Recognized by the Abu Dhabi Educational Council for outstanding work in 2014/2015.
· Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Seminar at Studio Group Martial Arts Calgary, AB, Canada, on July 7th, 2015.
· Coach and staff responsible for 100 out of the 2481 students at the record-breaking largest Jiu-Jitsu class for the Guinness Book in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on November 25th, 2015.
· 2nd place in the Rio de Janeiro State Tournament (Black Belt/Lightweight/Adult) in 2016 by FJJ/Rio.
· 2nd place in the International Masters (Black Belt/Lightweight/Master) in 2016 by IBJJF.
· 1st place in a fight at Serra Fighting Winter Championship 2016.
· 1st place in the Brazil Open (Adult/Middle Weight/Black Belt Division) Sport Jiu-Jitsu South American Federation 2016.
· 2nd place at the Rio State Tournament from FJJ-Rio (Adult/Lightweight/Black Belt Division) in 2016.
· 2nd place at the No-Gi Brazilian National Tournament (Black Belt/Lightweight/Master 1) in 2016 by IBJJF.
· Quarterfinalist in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament (Black Belt/Lightweight/Masters 1) in 2017 by IBJJF.
· 2nd place in the Floripa Fall International Open (Black Belt/Lightweight/Masters 1) in 2017 by IBJJF.
· 1st place at the Toronto Open (Black Belt/Lightweight/Masters 1) in 2022 by IBJJF.
·3nd place at the Toronto Open (Black Belt/Middleweight/Master 1) in 2022 by IBJJF.
·2nd place at the Toronto Open (Black Belt/Open weight/Master 1) in 2022 by IBJJF.
·3rd place at the ADCC Open Canada (Advanced/Masters 35+/-76kg) in 2023.
· Attended Rolker Gracie Jiu-jitsu Seminars in 2010 and 2011.
· Attended Delariva Jiu-jitsu Seminar on June 5th, 2011.
· Attended Bruno Malfacine Jiu-jitsu Seminar on June 30th, 2011.
· Attended Rickson Gracie Jiu-jitsu Seminar on July 26th, 2011.
· Attended Virtus Jiu-jitsu Seminar on December 9th, 2010.
· Attended Ricardo Arona Jiu-jitsu Seminar in 2013.
· Attended Renzo Gracie Jiu-jitsu Seminar in 2013.
· Attended Leão Texeira Jiu-jitsu Seminar in 2014.
· Attended Ricardo Libório Jiu-jitsu Seminar in 2014.
· Completed a one-month special training with Fabio Gurgel in October 2015.
· Attended Mestre Bitta Jiu-jitsu Seminar in 2015.
· Attended Ramon Lemos Jiu-Jitsu Seminar in 2016.
· Trained with world-class fighters such as Michel Maia, Henrique Resende, Ramon Lemos, Ricardo Evangelista, Alexandre Trans, Marcio André, Marcos Paulo Costa, Filipe “Sagat,” Luana Alzugir, Paulo Pinto, and Alex Monsalves from 2013 until 2020.
· Completed the Rules and Referee Official Course under the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation in February 2017.
· Attended Bruno Malfacine and Ricardo Liborio Jiu-Jitsu Master Class in 2018.
· Attended Adilson Bitta and Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Seminar in 2019.
· Received MMA training under Rodrigo “Ximbica” and Bruno “Caveira” Machado from 2019 until 2020.
· Participated in the production of the Jiu-Jitsu Asian Union’s Rule Book in January 2020.
· Completed the Rules and Referee Official Course under the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation in January 2023.
· Successfully ran a Jiu-Jitsu program for children aged 3 years and adults at Evolution Training Center in Fredericton, NB, Canada from 2021 to 2023.
· Resistance Training and Fitness Program seminar in 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th 2004.
· Classic Shiatsu Training Program in September 2004.
· Brazilian Army’s Racing by Coordinates program in June 2005.
· Fitness volunteer job in Desafio Radio na TV Project and at Academia Fisio & Forma in November 2006.
· Child Entertainment Seminar in May 2008.
· Fitness Brasil – Core Training Seminar in June 2009.
· Internship at Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteína in 2010.
· Obesity and fitness seminar in June 6th 2010.
· Resistance Training seminar in June 6th 2010.
· Fitness Brasil – Functional Training Conference in September 2016.
· Weightlifting technique course in Confederação Brasileira de Levantamento de Peso in September 4th and 5th 2011.
2020 – Now: Head Coach and CEO at Knots Jiu-Jitsu Inc
– Teaches Jiu-Jitsu, Gi and No-gi, to adults and Athletes with good results locally and Nationally.
– Teaches Jiu-Jitsu to children from the age of 2.
– Developed and Coordinate Jiu-Jitsu Programs.
2017 – 2020: Sports Trainer at Palms Sports LLC
– Taught Physical Education and Jiu-Jitsu to children at national schools in Abu Dhabi as an educational tool.
2011 – Present: Personal Trainer
– Worked with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athletes with international achievements.
– Physically prepared dancers for an international tour.
– Trained amateur runners.
2016 – 2017: Functional Training Coach at Vallewayand Training Center
– Coached and assisted individuals in functional, stretching, and aerobic training.
– Developed long-term exercise programs.
2016: Physical Education Coach at Acqua Sports Itaipava Branch
– Coached and assisted individuals in functional, resistance, stretching, and aerobic training.
– Developed long-term exercise programs.
– Taught Jiu-jitsu to adults.
2016 – 2017: Jiu-jitsu Coach at Academia Physical
– Taught Jiu-jitsu to adults at Gracie Petropolis under the supervision of Breno Angelo.
2013 – 2016: Jiu-jitsu Coach at Palms Sports LLC
– Taught Jiu-jitsu to children at national schools as an educational tool and adults at UAEJJF Jiu-jitsu club.
2011 – 2013: Main Coach, Team Leader, and Owner at Academia Core n’ Fit
– Coached and assisted individuals (professionals and practitioners) in resistance, stretching, aerobic, and core training.
– Developed and supervised training programs.
– Taught Jiu-jitsu and managed coaches from Jiu-jitsu and other Martial Arts.
2010: Internship at Laboratório de Bioquímica de Proteína (LBP), Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
– Studied biochemical aspects arising from exercise and their analysis.
2005 – 2011: Physical Education and Jiu-Jitsu Coach at Academia Fisio & Forma
– Coached and assisted individuals in resistance, stretching, and aerobic training.
– Developed training programs and taught Jiu-jitsu.