Upstream BJJ

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Reviews

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  Holly

  *I’m a 41 year old woman, white belt, about 140 lbs* Love it at Upstream! Helpful instructors and extremely welcoming environment for women. Awesome place to learn and grow! They also have an intro program if you are brand new, not new to BJJ but it’s been awhile, or you want to brush up on your skills. They inspired me to do my very first tournament as a white belt; I never thought I’d do one, but everyone at Upstream is motivating and encouraging…really positive experience.

  Posted 1 year ago
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  Kristian Andrade

  I’m an MMA fighter I joined in 2022 in the hopes of improving my jiu jitsu. The gym ended up surpassing my expectations from what I got out of it. Ive built strong friendships from my teammates. Seph is a legend of the game and gave me an understanding of jiu jitsu that I never envisioned having! I consider it a sanctuary and wouldn’t want to be anywhere else Y’all won’t regret it. If you’re looking for to ease yourself in, there’s a fundamentals class where you’re able to learn at your own pace, no rush Fast forward I’m going on year 3 being here and I love it!

  Posted 1 year ago
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  Michael Jones

  I was brand new to jiu-jitsu and a friend of mine who trains in Norfolk said that the word on the street was that Upstream was the best place to train in Richmond. So I decided to check it out. I had no martial arts background whatsoever, and Seph was and has been an incredible coach. He breaks things down into easy-to-understand concepts to help you progress. He is also very patient with me (a brand new white belt), understanding, encouraging, attentive to detail, and you can tell he cares about the study da in his gym. Seph is awesome, but the people in the gym are awesome as well. Everyone who trains there has been super nice, helpful, and supportive, which means a lot when you’re totally brand new to the sport. It’s an awesome atmosphere that I appreciate very much as a new white belt. 100% recommend!

  Posted 1 year ago
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  Jaci Alberts

  I’ve been an athlete my whole life, but when I finally decided to start training jiu jitsu in my mid-thirties with zero martial arts experience, I wasn’t sure what to expect. From day one, I never felt intimidated coming here. Everyone is incredibly welcoming and supportive, no matter your skill level. Seph and all the instructors are extremely knowledgeable, patient, and break things down in a way that’s easy to understand, making learning both effective and enjoyable. A year in, I can confidently say this gym has been an amazing place to train, grow, and challenge myself. Whether you’re completely new to jiu jitsu or looking to sharpen your skills, I can’t recommend Upstream enough!

  Posted 1 year ago
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  Madison Basile

  I started training BJJ at a school in Short Pump in 2022 because it was close to my house. While the gym looked great aesthetically, the coaches and training partners there couldn’t help me improve the way my teammates at Upstream have. In 2024, I made the switch to Upstream, and it was a game-changer. Although it’s 20 minutes further from my house, it has absolutely been worth it. The atmosphere here is truly unique and everyone is dedicated to helping each other succeed. As a woman, i’ve always felt comfortable and respected here, which is really important in this sport. Under the guidance of Coach Seph and the team, my skills have improved exponentially. Although I spent a lot of time fixing bad habits I learned at my old gym, everything I learned here helped me go on to become a Nogi PANS and Nogi Worlds champion in 2024. The upper belts at Upstream are always eager to share their knowledge and offer guidance, creating an environment where you’re constantly pushed to be your best. If you’re looking for a place where you’ll grow and improve in BJJ, Upstream is absolutely the spot. Highly recommend!

  Posted 12 months ago