Meet The Instructors
Jonny Vasquez
Owner and lead instructor Jonny Vasquez is a 1st-degree brown belt, earned under Professor Ryon Gracie, Rener Gracie, and instructor Alex Stuart of Gracie University Headquarters located in Torrance CA. He is also a registered brown belt with Rickson Gracie’s Jiu-Jitsu Global Federation. Jonny continues his Jiu Jitsu studies weekly at Gracie HQ along with GJJ black belt and 2019 Natural Mr. Olympia Mike Saffie for strength and conditioning training. Jonny became a certified instructor under Gracie HQ and opened Gracie Apple Valley in 2016. Jonny has over 10 years of experience in Western Boxing, American kickboxing, and MMA. He is a former amateur fighter for C.A.M.O MMA and competed in the sport Jiu-Jitsu realm for 2 years. Then, he discovered Gracie University and dedicated his life to spreading the Gracie message and the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Though his true passion is teaching and empowering anyone willing to learn the techniques and principles of the original Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, Jonny also privately teaches MMA under “Team Inner Strength” and manages amateur fighters & champions for Spar Star MMA out of LA.
Aaron Trobee
Started his training under Jonny Vasquez & Gracie Apple Valley in “The Garage Days”. Aaron Trobee is a Gracie Purple belt, instructor, and current California State & Spar Star Promotions 155lb Mixed Martial Arts Champion (est 11/2023). Aaron became a certified instructor at Gracie University in 2017. He earned his instructor bars from Ryron and Rener Gracie in 2019
Aaron spearheads our Gracie Bullyproof® program helping countless kids develop their charter and become confident with themselves.
Balint Szilagyi
Started his training under Jonny Vasquez and Gracie University in June 2019. Balint Szilagyi is a Gracie Purple Belt and instructor. Balint became a certified instructor under the Gracie Family a year later in June 2020. He attended every single Combatives® class from his first until he was certified as an instructor.
Balint is now a pillar of Gracie Apple Valley as he helps countless students achieve their goals and positively change their lives by training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Shaun Factora
A Combat Veteran in the United States Army, and a former competitive powerlifter. Shaun Factora is an assistant instructor in Gracie Combatives® and Gracie Bullyproof®. Earning his teaching certificates from Gracie University in 2022.
Being a veteran, Shaun understands firsthand and has helped dozens of veterans who have experienced trauma from combat. He utilizes his militant training style and provides the comradery most veterans crave when transitioning into civilian life.
Danny Fernandez
Danny Fernandez is an assistant Combatives® and Gracie Bullyproof® instructor who received his teaching certificates from Gracie HQ in 2021. He is a Gracie Blue Belt.
Michael “Mikey” Yamada
Started training at Gracie Apple Valley in 2020. Mikey is a Gracie Blue Belt and became a certified instructor at Gracie University® in July 2023
Eduardo “Eddie” Guendulain
Started training at the age of 12 as a Gracie Bullyproof® student. Eddie displayed exceptional passion and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu from a young age, while attending every class and helping in the younger Little Champs® & Jr Grapplers® classes. Eddie is a Gracie Blue belt and became our youngest certified instructor at the age of 16 in January 2023.
Renee Perry
A Women Empowered® and Combatives® assistant instructor. Renee Perry is a Gracie Blue Belt & Pink Belt. She received her teaching certifications under the Gracie family in 2020.
Calyn Waterlyn
Started training at Gracie Apple Valley in 2018. Calyn is a Gracie Blue Belt & Pink Belt. She became a certified Women Empowered® instructor at Gracie University® in January 2023.
Glen Olson
Glen Olson is a black belt in Judo and registered with the USJA. He currently teaches Judo at Gracie Apple Valley. Glen is Gracie Blue Belt and intends to become certified to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu®.
Front Desk
Cynthia Trobee
A pillar of Gracie Apple, providing exceptional customer service. Cynthia is in charge of working with the merchant, contracts, and Wellness App. She is a Gracie Blue belt training in Master Cycle®.
Kenya Saucedo
The first point of contact for any new student. Kenya is an administrator with a passion for providing outstanding customer service for all students and guests. Kenya is a Gracie blue belt working on her stripes in Master Cycle®.
Aaron Trobee
Started his training under Jonny Vasquez & Gracie Apple Valley in “The Garage Days”. Aaron Trobee is a Gracie Purple belt, instructor, and current California State & Spar Star Promotions 155lb Mixed Martial Arts Champion (est 11/2023). Aaron became a certified instructor at Gracie University in 2017. He earned his instructor bars from Ryron and Rener Gracie in 2019
Aaron spearheads our Gracie Bullyproof® program helping countless kids develop their charter and become confident with themselves.
Balint Szilagyi
Started his training under Jonny Vasquez and Gracie University in June 2019. Balint Szilagyi is a Gracie Purple Belt and instructor. Balint became a certified instructor under the Gracie Family a year later in June 2020. He attended every single Combatives® class from his first until he was certified as an instructor.
Balint is now a pillar of Gracie Apple Valley as he helps countless students achieve their goals and positively change their lives by training in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Shaun Factora
A Combat Veteran in the United States Army, and a former competitive powerlifter. Shaun Factora is an assistant instructor in Gracie Combatives® and Gracie Bullyproof®. Earning his teaching certificates from Gracie University in 2022.
Being a veteran, Shaun understands firsthand and has helped dozens of veterans who have experienced trauma from combat. He utilizes his militant training style and provides the comradery most veterans crave when transitioning into civilian life.
Danny Fernandez
Danny Fernandez is an assistant Combatives® and Gracie Bullyproof® instructor who received his teaching certificates from Gracie HQ in 2021. He is a Gracie Blue Belt.
Michael “Mikey” Yamada
Started training at Gracie Apple Valley in 2020. Mikey is a Gracie Blue Belt and became a certified instructor at Gracie University® in July 2023
Eduardo “Eddie” Guendulain
Started training at the age of 12 as a Gracie Bullyproof® student. Eddie displayed exceptional passion and dedication to Jiu-Jitsu from a young age, while attending every class and helping in the younger Little Champs® & Jr Grapplers® classes. Eddie is a Gracie Blue belt and became our youngest certified instructor at the age of 16 in January 2023.
Renee Perry
A Women Empowered® and Combatives® assistant instructor. Renee Perry is a Gracie Blue Belt & Pink Belt. She received her teaching certifications under the Gracie family in 2020.
Calyn Waterlyn
Started training at Gracie Apple Valley in 2018. Calyn is a Gracie Blue Belt & Pink Belt. She became a certified Women Empowered® instructor at Gracie University® in January 2023.
Glen Olson
Glen Olson is a black belt in Judo and registered with the USJA. He currently teaches Judo at Gracie Apple Valley. Glen is Gracie Blue Belt and intends to become certified to teach Gracie Jiu-Jitsu®.
Front Desk
Cynthia Trobee
A pillar of Gracie Apple, providing exceptional customer service. Cynthia is in charge of working with the merchant, contracts, and Wellness App. She is a Gracie Blue belt training in Master Cycle®.
Kenya Saucedo
The first point of contact for any new student. Kenya is an administrator with a passion for providing outstanding customer service for all students and guests. Kenya is a Gracie blue belt working on her stripes in Master Cycle®.
CONTACT US TODAY!
Secretary: (442) 327-6900
Owner/Instructor: (760) 964-3474
Follow Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Apple Valley
TEAM INNER STRENGTH
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Apple Valley
Team Inner Strength
13470 Manhasset Rd. #9
Apple Valley CA 92308
Phone: (442) 327-6900
Owner/Instructor: (760) 964-3474
Email:
