Welcome to
TraditionJiu Jitsu Academy
Tradition Jiu Jitsu Academy is the first Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school that is based in the heart of Tradition in Port St. Lucie, Florida and provides training programs for kids and adults. Classes are led and instructed by Valeria and Mateo Nunez, whom offer a detailed insight into the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for all skill levels.
Valeria and Mateo have extensively trained and competed over the years and currently train regularly to provide both new and advanced students with fundamental self-defense methods as well as advanced level training. The Nunez family always seek to improve their student's performance in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Jiu Jitsu
for Kids
Jiu Jitsu
for Youth
Jiu Jitsu
for Adults
Meet Our
Instructors
Jiu Jitsu Instructor / Brown BeltIBJJF Verified RefereeCertified Personal Trainer
Born and raised in Costa Rica, Valeria Nunez discovered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2010. As a college rugby player, she initially sought strength training at the gym to enhance her performance on the field. It was there that she was first introduced to Jiu Jitsu. At first, she was hesitant to try it, already deeply committed to rugby. However, her passion for Jiu Jitsu grew so strong that she ultimately decided to leave rugby behind to dedicate herself fully to the sport.
In 2014, Valeria took her first steps into coaching, teaching both kids' and women's Jiu Jitsu classes. It was during this time that she realized her true passion in helping others grow and improve through Jiu Jitsu. Committed to enhancing her teaching abilities, she pursued additional certifications, including a personal trainer certification and other functional training courses to complement her instruction.
In 2017, Valeria was promoted to brown belt under Roger Coelho, a significant milestone in her Jiu Jitsu journey. Two years later, in 2019, she moved to the United States. In 2020, she made the difficult decision to step away from training to focus on raising her children.
By the end of 2023, Valeria returned to the mats as a mother of two, ready to continue growing both as a student and as an instructor. She also became a NASM-certified personal trainer, further expanding her ability to guide students toward their personal and physical development... >> Read More
Jiu Jitsu Instructor / Black Belt
Mateo Nunez’s passion for sports and martial arts began at the young age of six and has remained a driving force throughout his life. His introduction to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu came through a unique opportunity, while working alongside UFC referee Mario Yamasaki. After attending his first Jiu Jitsu class, Mateo was instantly hooked, marking the start of his journey in November 2007 under the Yamasaki family. He progressed through the ranks under the instruction of Fernando Yamasaki, earning his purple belt along the way.
In 2012, Mateo further refined his skills under the mentorship of David “The Rock” Jacobs (Rest in Peace) and Abmar Barbosa. Training diligently under their guidance, he was awarded his brown belt in 2014. He continued training with them until 2019, when he transitioned to Conquest BJJ, where he trained under Vicente Junior. In 2022, Mateo achieved a significant milestone earning his black belt from Vicente Junior, a highly respected instructor who holds his black belt under the legendary Ricardo De La Riva.
After relocating to Florida, Mateo became a part of the Brazilian Top Team, training under world-class black belt competitor Gabriel Procópio Fonseca. Despite his busy schedule as an instructor, he remains an active competitor, regularly testing his skills in high-level Jiu Jitsu tournaments... >> Read More
Wrestling Instructor / Blue Belt
Jordi Perez began his grappling journey at just 10 years old, training at Jupiter Boxing Club and Jupiter Jiu Jitsu. Now a dedicated blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jordi has spent more than a decade sharpening his skills on the mats.
Early success in youth competitions fueled his passion for grappling, eventually leading him to join the wrestling program at Jupiter High School. His hard work and discipline earned him a scholarship to Johnson & Wales University, where he competed in their NCAA Division III wrestling program.
Jordi credits much of his technical foundation and competitive mindset to his college coach, whose demanding style reshaped the way Jordi approaches grappling. He learned that in wrestling, and in life, anything can happen at any time. His motto reflects that spirit: with hard work, dedication, and a little bit of heart, you can “Take ’em down!”
At Tradition Jiu Jitsu Academy, Coach Jordi teaches a specialized class called "Take 'em Down" focused on wrestling takedowns and transitional techniques that seamlessly integrate with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, helping students elevate their Gi and No-Gi grappling to the next level.
