Meet our Team
Professors and Coaches
WORLD CLASS JIU-JITSU TEACHING
Gracie Barra Bradley Stoke have world class instructors certified through the Gracie Barra’s Instructor Certification Programme to deliver the highest standard of instruction to students of all ages and abilities. All our instructors are DBS checked and trained in Safeguarding
Bruno Aguiar
BJJ Black Belt Professor
Bruno started training BJJ in Brazil where he received his first promotions at his hometown, Salvador city. He moved to the UK in 2005 to pursue his academic goals and in May 2012 Bruno became a Gracie Barra member training at multiple Gracie Barra Schools in the Bristol area. He was promoted to Black Belt in December 2021. Bruno is a qualified Gracie Barra Instructor, IBJJF Certified and UKBJJA registered Black Belt and a First Aider.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie Sr. -> Carlos Gracie Jr. -> Victor Estima
Matt Roberts
BJJ Black Belt Professor
Matt always had an interest in martial arts since watching movies as a child. He trained Tae-Kwan-Do for 9 years before taking a break, and in 2010 he commenced training Jiu jitsu training and instructing in 2015.
He also has over 20 years real world experience of self defence situations in the streets as a first response officer.
Matt finds Jujitsu the most relatable of the modern martial arts as it deals with fighting on the ground, where most situations end up.
The welcoming nature of Jiu jitsu clubs has allowed him to train in several different countries.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie Sr. -> Carlos Gracie Jr. -> Victor Estima
DónalCarmody
BJJ Black Belt Professor
Dónal is originally from Ireland and started martial arts when he was 15 years old. Over the years He has trained Thai Boxing, Krav Maga, Kickboxing, Judo and Brazilian jiu jitsu (BJJ).
He decided to focus on BJJ as he found the community across the world to be extremely supportive and he have found most clubs to be welcoming and friendly.
Dónal has trained and competed across Europe, Brazil, Australia and Thailand.
Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda -> Carlos Gracie Sr. -> Carlos Gracie Jr. -> Braulio Estima -> Paddy Carmody
Paul Baxter
BarraFit Coach – BJJ Blue Belt
Paul started training martial arts when he was 7yrs old. His journey began with karate , and over the years he have studied aikido, judo, K-1, krav maga and rapid assault tactics (self defence) which he has been rewarded 6 diplomas. Additionally, Paul have competed at judo , K1 and BJJ.
Paul has several years of experience teaching martial arts and self-defence. He has for many years taught women’s self defense seminars under his own martial arts academy.
He has always admired BJJ , and since joining Gracie Barra Bradley Stoke Paul has rekindled his love for martial arts.
Remi Makulec
BarraFit Coach – BJJ Blue Belt
Remi has got many years of experience in martial arts, especially striking: K1/Dutch Kickboxing. He has a lot of fighting experience, his official kickboxing fight record is 7-2-0. In 2018 he became an ISKA British Amateur K1 Rules Champion. In 2020 he started his journey with BJJ and he have immediately fallen in love with it. Remi loves competing and he’s very driven in his training; train hard or don’t train at all is his motto and he is always giving his bets to improve himself and support other BJJ students. Remi has competed at the highest levels and have earn many BJJ medals, he’s British and European Gold medalist as white belt.