We Strive
Our Academy
Strive Jiu Jitsu and Fitness Academy is a martial arts school located in beautiful Lodi, California. We offer classes and private lessons in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, fitness and conditioning and women’s self defense for both children and adults. New classes are added to the roster all the time as we gain more interest in other forms of martial arts and fitness. We also offer personal training, fitness boot camps and private coaching sessions to get you in the best shape and peak performance of your life. We are completely dedicated to making Strive a friendly and fun environment for everyone while helping all of our students grow to their fullest potential.
Everyone is welcome: you don't need any experience to train with us and we pride ourselves on having an amazingly welcoming staff and student body. You will start to feel empowered, stronger and better about yourself as soon as you step on the mat; whatever your goals may be.
Come in today for a one week free trial and to reveal your best self!
Strive Academy is located at 651 North Cherokee Lane Suite E, Lodi California 95240
Our Instructors
Professor Rocha
Professor Imanuel Rocha started his martial arts career with Tae Kwon Do when he was 15 years old which he now holds a second degree black belt in. He begin training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and boxing in 2007 and within a year was competing professionally in mixed martial arts fights. He moved to New Mexico to train at Jackson Winklejohn's under Mike Winklejohn, Greg Jackson, Chris Luttrell and world champion boxer Danny Romero. He gained a wealth of knowledge and experience training daily with Jon Jones, Donald Cerrone, Carlos Condit and Travis Brown. When he moved back to the bay area he found his true passion was in coaching and training others and coached Jiu Jitsu and striking and mma programs from 2012-2016. Manny received his black belt in Brazillian Jiu Jitsu in April of 2016 from Fabio Prado and shortly after was able to achieve a long time dream of opening his own school. Strive Academy has been open in Lodi since that spring and Manny feels like the luckiest man on earth to be able to learn, train, teach and compete at his own academy. He hopes to continue fostering a love for martial arts in adults and kids alike as the academy grows.
Coach Meredith
Meredith is a Strive Academy original - beginning her journey from day one under Professor Rocha in 2017. She came in as a mother of 2 young children to develop confidence in herself and ended up falling in love with all things Jiu Jitsu. Now an active competitor who brings self defense techniques to the competition mats as well as to our children’s and women’s only program. She is passionate about bringing the empowerment she has gained from Jiu Jitsu to others.
Coach Ryan
Coach Ryan started wrestling at the age of 6 and began Jiu Jitsu and Judo at 8 years old. He trained and competed with a high rate of success in competition in both disciplines until high school where he adjusted his focus to strictly wrestling with the goal of earning an athletic scholarship for college. He achieved that goal and accepted a scholarship to Menlo College where he wrestled without compromising his studies in business management.
Ryan is a stand out competitor as well as an amazing instructor in both the kids and adult programs. Amongst his many accolades in wrestling and Jiu Jitsu - he is notably a 3X IBJJF Kid’s Pan-Am Champion at Orange Belt, an ADCC West Coast Trials Kids Champion and a 3x Elk Grove Varsity team member. He is a wonderful example to all the kids in class with a unique ability to relate to them, having grown up in a kids class himself. He is always friendly and helpful with anyone and willing to share his wealth of knowledge with anyone he is instructing.