About Our Academy
Finding Inspiration with every roll!
Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness is entering the eighth year of operation. Professor Tala has developed multiple champions over the years and at Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness we strive to create a safe, family oriented and friendly environment where students can learn and have fun. Zen Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone from students wanting to get in shape to the professionals. Come train and be part of the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu at Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness.
Our Story
Zen Jiu-Jitsu & Fitness opened in 2016 in Monroe, NC, just a year after Prof. Tala moved from Miami, FL to North Carolina. Every Instructor has a beginning and Prof. Tala's Jiu-Jitsu journey started in the mid 90's while attending the University of Miami. The 90's is when Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S. was just starting and there were very few academies around. This, in addition to the high price tag for classes, resulted in self-guided training from books and VHS video tapes. A few years later, Prof. Tala joined a Carlson Gracie academy, an hour and half away from his home. Traveling 3-4 times a week to train at the Carlson Gracie academy proved to be worth the travel. The training at the Carlson Gracie Academy was brutal and fit precisely with Prof. Tala. During Prof. Tala's Jiu-Jitsu journey, he has had great training partners and gained tremendous lessons over nearly 30 years of training.
At Zen Jiu-Jitsu all are welcomed, from the hobbyist to the occasional competitor to the professional athlete. We have a family friendly, drama free environment for all to train in.
