Our Story
Lionheart Jiu Jitsu started as a simple idea—just a small spot for friends to train, no frills, no big business. We even considered a grappling co-op, where members only paid enough to keep the lights on. It wasn’t about profit, it was about the art.
But our vision grew. A small, private space wasn’t enough for what we wanted to build. Head Instructor Professor Brett Werner had a clear dream: create a school where Jiu Jitsu could be taught with quality, structure, and heart. The timing was right, and Lionheart was born.
Anthony Garcia, longtime friend and training partner, owns the academy and keeps it running smoothly. He handles the business side—marketing, sales, gear, legal, and everything in between—while also stepping on the mats as an instructor.
Brett runs the teaching side. He designs and approves all class curriculum, leads the coaching team, sets promotion standards, and shapes the training environment.
Together, Brett and Anthony built Lionheart to be a place where everyone feels welcome, the focus stays on the students, and the art of Jiu Jitsu is passed on with respect, safety, and a sense of community.
We’re proud to share the mats with our Brighton neighbors, grow the fellowship of Jiu Jitsu, and keep building something meaningful—one class at a time.
What It Stands For
Our logo isn’t just for looks—it tells the story of what Lionheart Jiu Jitsu is all about.
- Lion Rampant (upper right): A classic symbol from medieval times, the lion represents courage and strength. Standing on its hind legs, it shows ferocity in the face of adversity—both on and off the mats.
- Column (upper left): In Jiu Jitsu, your base is everything. The column reminds us to stay grounded, hold our position, and stand firm in what matters most.
- Anvil (bottom center): Pressure is part of Jiu Jitsu and life. The anvil symbolizes resilience—the ability to hold strong under weight and use that pressure to your advantage.
- Waves (around the anvil): Life and training are about adapting. The waves remind us to flow, adjust, and respond to whatever comes our way.
- Shield (coat of arms): A nod to the old traditions of discipline, integrity, and self-defense. It represents grit, honor, and the skills to protect yourself.
Every piece of our logo is a piece of our philosophy—courage, strength, resilience, adaptability, and discipline.
Actions, Not Words
You’ve probably seen Acta Non Verba around the gym, on our gear, or on social media. It’s Latin for “actions, not words”—and it’s how we operate at Lionheart Jiu Jitsu.
Owner Anthony Garcia started using the phrase because it matches our attitude: don’t just say it, do it.
- It’s easy to claim you care about safety—harder to earn every certification we have.
- Easy to say you support women—harder to give up a prime evening slot so women’s-only classes can thrive.
- Easy to say you teach self-defense—harder to travel, train, and bring back real, tested skills.
- Easy to say it’s “not about the money”—harder to keep prices low so more people can train.
We see our students living this too. Every time you show up, push through a tough class, or help a teammate—you’re proving it’s not just talk.
At Lionheart, we choose the harder path, the one that requires effort, integrity, and real commitment. That’s Acta Non Verba.