JC Projects
Fitness + Community + Balance
JC PROJECTS TEAM
Below you will find some of the friendly faces you may see around our space.
One of the true martial arts legends, Renzo Gracie is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt from the famous Gracie family. Renzo was born on March 11, 1967, in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil. He is the grandson of Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder Carlos Gracie and son of 9th Dan BJJ black belt Robson Gracie, brother to Ralph and Ryan Gracie. Like most men in the Gracie family, Renzo started training Jiu Jitsu as an infant. He had formal instructor from many of the Gracie patriarchs, but to of his biggest influences were the legendary Rolls Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr (the man who later awarded him his black belt)..
Renzo has won numerous competitions the most prestigious being the Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) in which he is a 2x Champion. Renzo's name is also synonymous with Vale-Tudo, the famous No Holds Barred style of fighting in Brazil that originated today’s Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). Renzo’s first official fight was at the age of 25 in the Gracie Vale Tudo Challenge were he submitted his opponent Luiz Augusto Alvareda by rear naked choke. Renzo has fought all over the world for organizations such as Pride FC in its heyday and the UFC. He pioneered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America in the 1990's when he founded Renzo Gracie Academy in New York City, one of the cornerstones of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in America. He is established as one of the best teachers and mentors in the sport. With his signature combination of charisma and intelligence, he has guided students such as Matt Serra a former UFC Champion, Roger Gracie a 10x Jiu Jitsu world champion, John Danaher the Jiu-Jitsu Coach to UFC Champions Georges St-Pierre & Chris Weidman, Shawn Williams, and Ricardo Almeida to black belt.
Master Renzo Gracie
Professor Rob Constance
Professor Robert Constance, a United States Marine Corps veteran and former New York City police officer began his formal training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1998. As a result of extensive training and study with such prestigious names as Renzo Gracie and John Danaher, Robert was presented with his Black Belt under Renzo Gracie during 2008. On an interminable quest for further knowledge of BJJ, Professor Rob opened Renzo Gracie Hoboken in 2010. While teaching adults and children alike at RGH six days weekly, Professor Rob also continues to cultivate his own technique at the Manhattan flagship academy regularly.
Perhaps most notably, he is the visionary and creator of NYC Ultimate Absolute, a submission only grappling tournament held in NYC in both 2011 and 2012 which drew competitors from across the globe. BJJ online media boasts, “The NYC Ultimate Absolute proved to be a very exciting step towards true professional jiu-jitsu. It seemed well organized and well attended, … and lured the top competitors to try their hand at the open weight tournament.”
Furthermore, after his nine years on the police force, Professor Rob has returned as an educator, directing and teaching demonstrative workshops in defensive tactic training at the New York City Police Academy. He also travels regularly to other Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Mixed Martial Arts Academies nationwide to offer instructional seminars. At Renzo Gracie Hoboken exclusively, Professor Rob routinely directs his innovative self-defense seminar for women which incorporates the fundamentals of BJJ.
Additional Accomplishments Include –
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Awarded titles at both Grappler’s Quest and Naga
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Division title at Florida State’s Heavy Weight Championship
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Participation in numerous Superfights
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Participation in New York City/State Golden Gloves as well as New York City Metros
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Abu-Dhabi trials veteran
Instructor Joseph Chan
Joseph is a former Financial Services and Technology professional who use to work to train. Now he trains for work. See his personal website at www.joseph-chan.strikingly.com. He has given up the trappings of corporate life to pursue more meaningful work as an instructor and entrepreneur. Joseph has been training BJJ for more than 10 years and currently holds the rank of Brown Belt. Joseph has had the pleasure of training with many luminaries of Jiu Jitsu including Marcelo Garcia, Vitor Shaolin, Andre Galvao, Rodrigo Mederios to name a few. His first 7 years of formal training was under Master Renzo Gracie, John Danaher, Magno Gamma, and Rafael Correa-Gordinho. After being transfered to Hong Kong for work, Joseph had the privilege to train 2 years under Professor Rodrigo Caporal. Joseph has recently relocated to the tri-state area to be closer to friends and family.
Why do you train BJJ?
I enjoy both the mental and physical challenge. Besides being a great workout, I find that to be really good at BJJ, you always have to be thinking about your next combination of moves or you may find yourself sleeping on the mat.
What advice do you have for novices?
Learn to relax and accept that everybody gets tapped. I say this so that students stay injury free which is the biggest impediment to improving. Once you get your ego under control, you are more free to learn and improve your game.
What has BJJ done for you?
BJJ has given me confidence. It has challenged me both mentally and physically. BJJ has allowed me to meet a diverse set of friends from all walks of life and around the world. I find that for the most part BJJ practioners are some of the nicest and most genuine people you will ever meet. Meatheads do not last long in BJJ.
Coach Eugene Thong
Eugene Thong began life as a skinny, weak, bespectacled child. Now, thanks to a steady diet of martial arts, scientific inquiry, and heavy compound movements, he's no longer weak. He began his BJJ training at Renzo Gracie Academy in 2004 and currently holds a purple belt under Professor John Danaher. He is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the NSCA.
Why do you train BJJ?
It turns down the volume on all the outside stresses in my life. When I'm in the flow, all my problems disappear.
What advice do you have for novices?
Similar to life, BJJ rewards those who persevere through adversity. Handsomely!
What is your favorite BJJ move?
Juji jime (cross collar choke) from mount or anything really cool that I pull off on you.
What has BJJ done for you?
BJJ has taught me tenacity, focus and patience.