Gracie Jiu-Jitsu San Dimas | Instructors

Our Instructors

Professor (1st Degree Black Belt) - Dr. Jorge Balares, ThM, DC, JD
Jorge's martial arts journey began with Judo and Aikido throughout high school under the late Sensei Manuel Adolfo Sr. After high school, he continued Aikido training with Morse High School Aikido club and later with UC-San Diego Aikido Club for 4 years in college. During his college years around 1997, he met Professor Roy Harris and began Brazilian Jiujitsu training with Professor Harris at UCSD. He also continued Judo training under Dr. Lyman Connoly, a fellow doctor of chiropractic at UCSD. In 2008, he learned about the Gracie Academy and began training with the Gracie Family in Torrance earning his blue belt and instructor certifications in 2009. In 2014 after receiving his purple belt, Dr. Jorge began training with Professor Regis Lebre at San Diego's world famous Gracie Humaita Headquarters. Due to a job transfer, he left Gracie Humaita in San Diego and returned back to the Torrance Headquarters subsequently earning his brown belt in 2016. Dr. Jorge was promoted to black belt in 2018 and has achieved a Level 4 (Highest) Instructor Certification under the Gracie University. He left the Gracie University in the fall of 2021 and returned back to the Gracie Humaita Headquarters in his hometown San Diego to continue his journey.

Professor Jorge has over 15 years of experience as a primary care and sports chiropractor. He is a health/wellness counselor, an ordained minister, and a life-long learner. He has a B.S. degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology from UC San Diego, a Master of Theology from Baptist College Seminary, a Doctor of Chiropractic degree from Clevelend Clinic, a Juris Doctor from William Howard Taft, and is currently working on dual doctorate degrees (DMin/PhD) in Ministry and Religion. His practice focus is on natural health, holistic wellness, and treatment of martial arts and sports-related injuries. He is available as a wellness counselor and a life coach in the cities of San Dimas and San Diego.
He has been happily married for 20 years to a blue belt mom and has three home-schooled jiujitsu kids.

Professor (Black Belt) - Mario Flores
Active Competitor

Professor Mario was the first student ever in our Kids' program. He started his journey at the age of 11 at our first location in the city of La Puente. After leaving his passion for football, Professor Mario climbed up the ranks earning his blue belt at 16 years old, purple belt at 18 years old, and brown belt at 20 years old exclusively under our programs. He is our most well-rounded coach, having cross - trained in Muay Thai, kick-boxing, and wrestling.
Mario is a well-known champion competitor at his class/rank in every competition event. He is known for taking home his opponents' legs and feet, and their hearts!

Coach Zuriel Balares - (Purple Belt) Kids Head Coach

Coach Zuriel started training at the age of 4. She leads the Global kids classes. Zuriel continues on improving herself in the Fundamentals and Advanced classes. When she's not at our gym, she trains with her dad at Gracie Humaita San Diego HQ. Her goal is to be a BJJ Black Belt before she turns 21.