Around the academy, Jacinta is known simply as JC. She is the second woman to earn a black belt under Professor Rodrigo Resende and is recognized as a dedicated teammate, wife, and mom who brings positivity and encouragement to every class. Her journey in martial arts began in 2011, when, while training kung fu, she attended a Jiu-Jitsu seminar hosted by Ryron Gracie. Though she had no idea who the Gracie family was at the time, the seminar sparked her interest — and she’s been hooked ever since.

At Vanguard, JC teaches both kids’ and adults’ classes, approaching instruction as an opportunity to solve “grappling puzzles” alongside her students. She values creating an atmosphere where learning is collaborative, supportive, and fun, while still challenging everyone to improve step by step.

For JC, the motivation to keep training comes not only from the art itself but also from the community. She believes the friendships built on the mats are what make the challenges of Jiu-Jitsu so rewarding, and she hopes to pass that same sense of joy, resilience, and connection on to her students.