Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in LaPlace – Led by Champions. Built for Everyone.
Welcome To Our
BJJ Academy
Welcome to Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John, a family-friendly Brazilian Jiu Jitsu academy in LaPlace! This is a fun, competitive atmosphere that encourages students to improve and strive toward their personal goals in all aspects of life! Our training is tailored to ensure each student receives the experience they are seeking. Our academy focuses on helping students—especially children—build their critical thinking skills, humility, healthy habits, a good mindset toward failure, focus, and more. We are building strong Jiu Jitsu rollers and using the values of the art to cultivate respectful, character-driven people. Anyone can get started and see results on and off the mat. Come join us to support both you and your child’s physical and mental health at Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John!
Join us for a free week of Jiu Jitsu!
Come get started with us with a week of free Jiu Jitsu classes! Join us and see what we have to offer!
Who We Are at
Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John
Our School
Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John is a clean, family-oriented Jiu Jitsu gym for everyone. Our training comes directly from the lineage of Brazilian teachings. Professors Tom and Joey trained under Rafael Ellwanger and received their black belts from Ailson Brites – both of whom studied under Carlson Gracie Jr. in Brazil. We pride ourselves on learning from the best of the best.
Following the traditional lessons, we emphasize competitive training alongside character development. They go hand-in-hand! Parents who sign up kids see right away the care and love we have for helping their children through Jiu Jitsu. We are here to provide the LaPlace community the best Jiu Jitsu to help them become strong people. This includes teaching strong values and investing in each other. Our team grows closer together with holiday parties, community events, and seminars. On top of that, our traveling Jiu Jitsu team can go around the US and the world to compete. It is all available for you! Don’t forget—when you join Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John, you don’t just join one Jiu Jitsu gym. You really join many different gyms! If you sign up with us, you can train at all the Team Jucao locations. Sign up for a LaPlace Jiu Jitsu experience unlike any other!
History
Our journey to providing LaPlace Jiu Jitsu came through the unique experiences from professors Tom Boesen and Joey Girard. Prof. Joey began martial arts training at the age 4, eventually taking a break but came back to the art alongside his family. Meanwhile, Professor Tom began Jiu Jitsu at 64 years old, using his experience wrestling in high school and college to help him fit right in.
The two different paths—that are continuously growing—led to our opening on January 1, 2023. Tom and Joey earned their black belts as Gracie United professors studying under 5th Degree Black Belt Rafael Ellwanger and receiving them from Master Jucao Ailson Brites—two highly experienced martial artists who learned under Carlson Gracie Jr. in Brazil. This accomplishment was accompanied by Professor Tom taking home two World Championships and a title at Pans and the European Open. No matter your age or starting position, we want to show students they can achieve anything and always improve. This mentality goes into our academy.
Since we began providing Jiu Jitsu in LaPlace, we have led many students to win medals and developed our community underneath us to continue our values. We are constantly striving for growth, helping one person at a time through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Meet the
Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John Team
The team at Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John provides students with a balanced perspective in class. We have professors and instructors who started Jiu Jitsu at different times of their lives, have different skillsets, and approach the art differently. Prof. Tom brings in a great perspective toward wrestling tactics in Jiu Jitsu, from his time wrestling in high school and college. Meanwhile, Prof. Joey specializes in teaching classic Jiu Jitsu and striking. Each has a specialty for an all-around experience for the student, even diving into some MMA training through BJJ! Nevertheless, they—alongside the rest of our team—share the same goal in tailoring classes to helping each individual student achieve their goals. Some are even CPR CERTIFIED! Make sure to check out their bios to learn more about their journeys through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!
Joey Girard
Professor
Tom Boesen
Professor
Patrick Shine
Instructor
Ethan Kirkwood
Coach
Joseph Girard
Coach
Mason Fox
Coach
Wade Fox
Instructor
Our Academy Schedule!
Go take a look at the right time for Jiu Jitsu classes at Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John. Find the right time for you and your family to start martial arts training in LaPlace!
Explore Our Jiu Jitsu
Programs
Are you looking to get started in Jiu Jitsu classes in LaPlace? We have options for martial arts for everyone. You can join us in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes for adults, kids, and women, including those interested in learning MMA skills in Jiu Jitsu. And don’t forget our weekly Wrestling and Striking focused classes! Check out our programs and see which one is best for you and your family!
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training is based on traditional lessons passed down from generations. We teach students a mix between sport and self-defense Jiu Jitsu, showing them situational awareness and how to score points. The program will work for you without us needing to alter anything. Our Brazilian Jiu Jitsu classes are tailored to helping every student achieve their goals.
Women’s Jiu Jitsu
Our women’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program is tailored to help women thrive on and off the mat. We listen to our students and make sure they are comfortable with training and feel safe. This is a great way to get introduced into martial arts or build up on the skills you’ve learned previously.
Kids Jiu Jitsu
Our kids Jiu Jitsu program helps students progress as they grow. The younger kids are taught through game-based training and are taught to build confidence and coordination while having fun. As they become older, we then focus more on the technical aspects of Jiu Jitsu. We teach them more self-defense skills and point-based training. On top of all of that, we make sure ALL our kids BJJ students are taught anti-bullying techniques to keep them out of unfortunate situations. We make sure they are prepared for what life throws at them.
MMA
The Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John MMA lessons are beginner-based with circuit training through our Jiu Jitsu classes. Students can come in as beginners and work their way up to the professional level. No matter what you want to do in MMA, you can accomplish it with us.
Words from Our Community
Gracie United – Team Jucao St. John is a home to all those looking for Jiu Jitsu and martial arts training. Our organizational affiliation combined with the care we show for our community propels us to provide the highest level of training possible for students. Whether they are here to compete or just improve themselves, they can do so in our family-friendly environment. And don’t just listen to us. Check out what our community is saying about why joining our LaPlace Jiu Jitsu classes can help you achieve your goals!
“A great gym full of great people. You won’t find any big egos here. Definitely a family environment with knowledgeable instructors.”
“Amazing owner and coach very friendly! The environment is amazing. I highly recommend it!! You will love it and so will your kids!!”
“Me and my daughter both train here and we LOVE IT! I started taking classes bc she was. I already love all the people there. Definitely recommend checking it out.”
Join us for a free week of Jiu Jitsu!
Come get started with us with a week of free Jiu Jitsu classes! Join us and see what we have to offer!
Contact Us!
It is an honor to provide Jiu Jitsu training to LaPlace and all of St. John Parish including Reserve, Lutcher/Gramercy in St. James Parish, and even Vacherie. You can find us in the Carrollwood subdivision around the corner from LaPlace Elementary School and between Ole Tyme Saver and Joan’s Daycare!