Mount Dora BJJ Academy

It all started when my son said to me that he wants to learn to be an American ninja warrior. Like on television... Teehee he's 4... He has years to get to that point. I spent weeks checking out gyms for him to go too, I found some faults with some, and others that he seemed to like, but were incredibly expensive.
My Son is very OCD and boarder line ADD, his attention span is short. He's very smart and a good learner just looses focus easily... We have been going to their classes as often as 4 days a week and some weeks only 2 days, for 7 weeks. the difference in his social skills, strength, focus, and respect for school work has dramatically changed. Thanks to david and Annie he and I have become better people. with the family environment they provide to their class, everyone feels welcome.

Hopefully in the near future I will be able to join was well, its very convenient as well because I can choose my training days to be the same as my son... The class that my son attends is a mutual class for children and adults, providing a better experience for the kids because they are able to see the adults and bigger kids and learn from watching them.

Coach David is involved in every class and gives each student equal attention. If you are concerned with a certain move and need help perfecting it, all you need to do is ask. When you are a part of any gym you need to have the drive to do your best at each class. Respect for one another, (family, parents, siblings, etc...) is a part of their lessons as well.

Side note... David and Annie do not preach their religion, they do however pray after each class. Everyone is welcome to join in prayer, but if you do not want to that is your choice and you are welcome to sit that part out.

So if you are looking for friendly family environment for your BJJ , MMA, kick boxing gym, then I highly recommend checking out mount Dora/Eustis BJJ...

Coaches David and Annie are an amazing, dedicated couple! It is obvious from the moment you walk in the door, they love what they do and love every person that trains with them. They encourage questions and always take the necessary time to ensure their students understand what is being taught and have self-confidence in the moves. It is truly rare to find a couple that are so passionate and work so well together.
You could not be disappointed by this school!

Originally contacted Mount Dora BJJ to enroll my 7 year old son in classes to get him into a different atmosphere because after playing baseball for a few seasons he was getting bored with it and wanted to try something new. We had talked a little bit about karate before because I wanted him to get more discipline and had heard great things about him learning that through Karate. While searching online for academies I came across Mount Dora BJJ and called and spoke with Coach Annie on the phone and got information on the classes for my son and weeks later took him in to try it out. Although he liked the class, he was still sort of skeptical because it was all totally different and new to him. A few weeks went by and my boyfriend who is interested in training to fight MMA called them and got more information on other classes and convinced my son to give it another try and they would take the class together.
Needless to say, after the second visit to this gym, we fell in love not only with BJJ, the other students, and the atmosphere there, but with Coach Annie and Coach David as well. Not only for what they teach in the gym but for who they are as individuals and everything they stand for. Now all of us as a family are training there all to meet our own personal goals and to bring us closer together as a family. At Mount Dora BJJ, family is what they are all about!

You will never see so many happy, well-adjusted kids in one place who have learned to respect themselves, Christian values and each other. We have been to many programs where coaches and kids don't care- lacking standards and basic behavioral expectations- including bullying, lack of integrity, and laziness. The kids here fully understand that winning is nothing if you have no respect for yourself or your opponent. Don't get me wrong, they do win. They win with grace. It is unfortunate that someone else chose to write a poor review because he didn't succeed or respect the methods or felt that modesty is no longer an laudible value. It doesn't take strength to tear someone else down. It takes discipline and courage and moral values and self-respect to win here. So when self-righteous bullying doesn't help you conquer your enemies, know there is someone (the ONE) who can help you. And for everything else, there's Mt Dora, BJJ.

This place screams Quantity over Quality. I began my search for a Brazilian Jiu jitsu school in lake county and unfortunately stumbled into this place with the mindset of just wanting to give Jiu Jitsu a try. I have friends that are high level belts(purple, brown, black) in other parts of the state and they all wanted me to get started as well. Being a natural athlete, they were confident I could catch on quickly. This was NOT the case at this establishment.

After 4 weeks of training I had somehow acquired 2 stripes on my white belt; Mostly using basic escapes and techniques taught to me by my friends. After 2 months of training I tested my "skills" against my friends. Their immediate reaction was " What have you been learning? because IT ISN'T JIU JITSU".

The "black belt" here is more interested in finding ways to pay for all his new toys rather than contribute to Jiu Jitsu. His wife shows very little enthusiasm for jiu jitsu and shows even less regard when it comes to the success of their students. The very first week I was in class I was immediately put off by the many wacky rules and air of religious indoctrination. Post training prayer is a normal experience and you're immediately alienated and glared at if you choose to refrain. His wife will yell at you for almost anything; It is nothing but a power trip. Forgetting to bow on and off the mats, removing your shirt outside the bathroom to change into your GI or rashguard, ( If one has ever been to a public swimming pool or beach, its easy to understand why this rule is ridiculous) and adults asking permission to use the restroom is a SICK JOKE at best, and all of these will earn you a disciplining.

In a day and age where we promote gender equality, this school's medieval/backwards way of thinking has women and men completely separated without the option to train with each other. Someone needs to tell these people WHY EXACTLY BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU WAS CREATED. (In case the "instructor" is reading this; it has something to do with weaker, smaller individuals being able to defend themselves... ) NO BETTER WAY to test this knowledge than allowing men and women to train together. I feel incredibly sorry for the person who wasted 7 months here before realizing it was a waste. I left in 3. The day I came into class to see the coach teaching a fancy Gi choke to some white belts that didn't even know how to escape side control or mount, let alone pass the guard, I know I had to find somewhere else to train.

All of these things add up to an incredibly hostile environment to try to train in. Anyone who understands combat sports knows that the last thing you want in a gym is a presence of anxiety,tension or fear. If you train here already, do yourself and your jiu jitsu a favor and RUN. If you've never trained and are looking for a school, avoid this place like the plague. Once you're caught here, you will be pursued like a Jew in 1942's Berlin if you try to leave. They will call you, they will text you, they will message you on social media. If you go to church with them, you might as well find a new church too. It will be nothing but guilt trips and accusations of Betrayal for weeks/months.

On an additional note, the instructor is not an IBJJF acknowledged black belt.
On top of this, his standing with Fight Sports is apparently poor at best as Cyborg himself denies all affiliation with this gym.

Love this Gym! I have been training there for just about 3 years now. I have been to some other gyms where I used to live and this is hands down the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu school I have been a part of. The attention to detail, discipline, and technique is outstanding. They are always willing to work with everyone, and train them to the highest of standards. I have been very pleased with Master David and how he has not only guided me in my journey for Martial Arts, but also helping me grow as a man. I would recommend this gym to anyone they are amazing.

My husband and children train at Mount Dora BJJ Academy. They love it so much they attend almost every class offered!!
Initially our oldest son was our concern as we wanted to increase his confidence. He's done great training and is no longer intimidated by older or bigger opponents. Master David and Annie do a wonderful job mentoring these children and teaching respect beyond the boundaries of the gym walls.
Annie has even started a women's only conditioning for us ladies who don't want the contact training, but still want to keep in shape. It's my once a week pick me up and I love it!
The students in this gym become family and support one another not only in jujitsu but other aspects of life. Don't be surprised if you see the class open or close in prayer, David and Annie are both open in their faith and their willingness to make a difference in our community. Great gym for my family and we wouldn't want to be anywhere else!