Let’s get social

---

Professor Cory was introduced to Jiu jitsu over 10 years ago. While focusing on his career as a Police Officer, Jiu jitsu was just a hobby. After 16 years of service, he chose to dedicate himself full-time to training, coaching and operating what is now UNUM.

When Professor Cory isn’t running the academy full time or heading to tournaments to lead his team to victory, he enjoys the competition arena as well. Professor Cory has competed in multiple tournaments and brought home many wins.

Coach Wyatt was promoted to Blue Belt just a few days after turning 16 in February of 2024. Wyatt has trained since the age of 8 along side his Father & mentor, Professor Cory. Wyatt has spent the past 8 years on the mats 5-6 days per week. When Wyatt isn‘t training Jiu jitsu, he wrestles for his high school as the varsity team captain. Wyatt is often looked to lead kids classes and the advanced kids classes as well. Wyatt’s teammates often rely on Wyatt for technical skill advice due to his years of experience on the mats learning from his Father and from his experience in the competition arena where he often places in top 3.  Wyatt currently serves as a student leader for Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) as well as his Hope City Church Youth Group. 

  Coach Renzi has been training since 2011. He started in Cebu City, Philippines under PJ Pages of 90/Eight BJJ, an affiliate of the Arizona-based association Pages Brothers BJJ, eventually earning his purple belt in 2016. He moved to the capital city of Manila to continue his college education and began training under Mark Entrata’s then Team Valores. Team Valores eventually became affiliated with Prof. Cobrinha and the team was appropriately named Cobrinha BJJ Manila. He eventually moved to United States in 2021 and briefly trained under Sean Roberts of Sektor BJJ in Chino, California. He’s learned under several world class BJJ practitioners including Sean Roberts, Jackson Nagai, and Ruben Charles Cobrinha. Being an immigrant, Coach Renzi believes that one should offer their service to the United States before earning the rights, opportunities, and privileges of living in and being an American. As a result, he enlisted in the United States Navy as a Hospital Corpsman. Coach Renzi has experience teaching both kids and adults and has competed internationally. Coach Renzi’s passion for learning and teaching will be a great tool in helping and supporting the growth and excellence of Unum Jiu Jitsu.

  Coach V began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2012. During his service as a U.S. Marine, he started training at Centerline Gym under Professor Jerry Wetzel in Bellflower, CA, but life took him in different directions. In 2021 he began his journey again with Professor Jim Thrift at Lineage BJJ Academy in California, MD. He was promoted to blue belt by Professor Thrift in 2022. Coach V joined Unum under Coach Cory immediately after moving to Ridgecrest in June, 2022. Coach V is a combat veteran and brings his discipline and love for helping others to the mats. He has competed in several tournaments over the years and has earned gold, silver, and bronze medals. V is passionate about coaching kids, and strives to build up their confidence, understanding, and love for Jiu- Jitsu.

Coach Nate was introduced to Jiu jitsu many years ago, life happened and he quit training. Fast forward to 2021, and Nate started training jiu jitsu again to form a deeper connection with his kids. Along with bettering their relationship, Nate found a love for Jiu jitsu that has changed every aspect of his life. Over the course of his jiu jitsu journey he has lost over 80lbs, has traveled all over the country training with the likes of Jocko Willink, Keenan Cornelius, Gordon Ryan, and John Danaher, has competed and won several Gold Medals in both JJWL and IBJJF, and completing 2022 as a Jiu Jitsu World League Champion. He is as passionate about learning Jiu Jitsu as he is about teaching it to anyone willing to learn.

Coach Melissa was introduced to Jiu jitsu in 2018. Coach Melissa was promoted to her Purple

Belt by 2024 IBJJF Master World Champion Professor Jill Baker. Coach Melissa enjoys the competition arena competing in IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu jitsu Federation) and JJWL (Jiu jitsu World League).  

Coach Melissa has a diverse training background. Since the beginning of her Jiu jitsu journey, she has trained under Professor Jill & Matt Baker-Trujitsu Bakersfield 

& Professor Cory Ballestero. When Coach Melissa isn’t helping run the academy with her family her focus is on her career with the DOD, spending quality time with her family, serving on the youth leadership team and mission team with Hope City Church, backpacking the Sierras, hiking with her dogs, coaching and training CrossFit as a certified level 1 coach. 

Coach Josie began her Jiu Jitsu journey in 2017 at the age of 9.   The majority of those years she has spent exclusively under Coach Cory Ballestero.   Throughout this time she has had impressive success on the competition scene.   Some of her achievements include 2021 IBJJF National champion,  multiple gold medals in Jiu Jitsu World League including 2021 JJWL season champion.  She has also earned gold medals in Grappling Industries, FUJI, NAGA, BRAVE, as well as multiple other tournament promotions.   She also has an impressive invitation only record for submission only platforms.   She has competed and won at Fight2Win, Subs On The Shore, and Arte Suave Elite. Josie is a fixture at Unum Jiu Jitsu and you will see her most days of the week smiling and rolling with her teammates! Josie is a proud big sister of 2 younger brothers who also train at Unum Jiu Jitsu.