The MATS Academy

The Mats Jiu Jitsu Academy has been an amazing place for both my son Caleb and me. Caleb is six years old and he absolutely loves every moment he spends there. He is always excited before class and he comes out happy and tired in the best possible way. His confidence has grown so much and he has become tougher and more capable with every class. His favorite coach is Coach James although he also loves Coach Oscar and the games they play make training fun and motivating for him. I decided to start training Jiu Jitsu at The Mats because I want to be able to protect my family and if I am being honest I also did not want Caleb to be able to beat me up when he gets to middle school. The adult classes are definitely challenging but I have seen real improvement in the last six months. The coaches teach specific moves each class then use games to help us apply those moves then guide us through live rolling. They are patient clear and extremely helpful which makes learning so much easier. My fitness has improved and my stress has gone down a lot since joining. The facility is extremely clean and the overall environment feels very family friendly. The staff is always professional welcoming and committed to helping everyone progress no matter their skill level. Classes start on time and follow a structured flow which I really appreciate. I cannot recommend The Mats Jiu Jitsu Academy enough. It has helped my son grow in confidence and it has pushed me to become stronger and healthier. If you are looking for a place that truly cares about its students this is the academy to join.

The Mats Academy has been my go to place to train during their sessions on Sundays. Everyone there from the training partners to the instruction is top-tier and they really make you feel like family. If you’re in the local area please check out the Mats academy. The Mats Academy is also a huge supporter of the We Defy foundation providing therapeutic relief to combat disabled veterans By placing them on the mat at approved training facilities!

James is an Amazing coach. Megan and Oscar are also amazing coaches for the adult and kids BJJ. It’s the highlight of my day. I was nervous to join but the atmosphere is inviting and competitive. Everyone wants to make each other better. Bring the whole family! Best decision I made in 2025!

After moving my entire life to DFW, I spent a lot of time gym-hopping, searching for the right place to continue my jiu-jitsu journey. From the moment I walked into The Mats, it immediately stood out and checked off everything that I was looking for. The environment is incredibly clean and well-run, and the team culture is something special. Everyone pushes each other to grow, improve, be competitive, and level up, but we also laugh, have fun, and genuinely enjoy being there. It’s that rare balance of hard work and great energy that makes you excited to show up every day. Coach James has been a huge part of my growth. He challenges me in all the right ways, carefully identifying the gaps in my game and helping me turn weaknesses into strengths. Beyond the technical side, he consistently supports my health and performance both on and off the mat, which has made a noticeable difference in my progress. I truly couldn’t recommend The Mats more. Whether you’re a kid, teen, adult, competitor, or someone just looking to try something new, this is a place where you’ll grow, be supported, and feel like part of a community.

After a bunch of research and deliberation, I decided to take the plunge into BJJ here at The Mats, and it has been one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made. World class training, a tight knit community, great facilities, the list goes on. Coach Cardo is more than just a coach, he actually cares about his training partners. If you’re debating on starting BJJ, look no further!