Me

About Us

ABOUT MARCUS SOARES BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU

Marcus Soares is a pioneer of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada and a leading figure in the development of authentic BJJ in Vancouver and the Lower Mainland of British Columbia. With a direct lineage to the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Marcus has played a central role in preserving the art’s technical depth, structure, and traditional values while guiding its growth locally and internationally. 

Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu operates academies in Vancouver, Langley, and Maple Ridge, offering structured training for beginners through advanced practitioners. The academies emphasize clear instruction, consistency across locations, and long-term development for students with diverse goals, including fitness, self-defense, competition, and professional application.

Marcus Soares is a 9th Degree Black Belt and a direct student of Grand Master Carlson Gracie. He was part of the first generation of the Carlson Gracie team formed in the 1970s and served as a Professor at the Carlson Gracie Academy in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. Under Carlson Gracie’s leadership, the team dominated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for more than three decades and played a defining role in establishing BJJ as a discipline accessible beyond the family system and respected worldwide.

Supporting Marcus is a team of highly qualified instructors who have been trained, mentored, and certified under his fundamentals-based curriculum. Each instructor follows a structured teaching methodology designed to maintain technical consistency, safety, and instructional clarity across all locations. This ensures that students receive the same high standard of instruction regardless of which academy or class they attend.

Together, the Marcus Soares Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor team fosters a respectful, disciplined, and supportive training environment where students are encouraged to develop confidence, resilience, and technical skill at their own pace, while remaining grounded in the principles of authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
 

ABOUT CARLSON GRACIE

Grand Master Carlson Gracie (August 13, 1932 – February 1, 2006) was the greatest fighter in the history of Jiu-Jitsu. Carlson was the oldest son of Carlos Gracie (founder of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu) and learned Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu from his father and his uncle, Helio Gracie. Carlson reigned for 30 years (50s, 60s, and 70s) in MMA, with 18 vale-tudo (no-holds-barred) matches and only one controversial loss, which sparked much debate among fans and experts. Carlson wasn’t only a top competitor in Jiu-Jitsu and MMA, but he was also one of the finest Jiu-Jitsu and MMA coaches to ever live. Carlson left the Gracie Academy in downtown Rio de Janeiro to open his own academy around 1968, and it was the most successful TEAM in Jiu-Jitsu history, remaining undefeated for over 30 years (70s, 80s, and 90s).
CARLSON GRACIE’S AFFILIATION LETTER

Our Instructors

Grand Master Marcus Soares

Teaches in Langley, Vancouver, and Maple Ridge

Grand Master Marcus Soares is a 9th-degree Red Belt with 56 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience and over 50 years of teaching experience. He welcomes anyone who is genuinely interested in learning, brings enthusiasm to class, and isn’t afraid to ask questions. Students can expect a solid foundation in fundamental Jiu-Jitsu, with careful attention to the details that matter, learning the art the right way, improving their fitness, and becoming part of a supportive BJJ family.

Born and raised in Brazil, Marcus grew up immersed in beach sports like swimming, volleyball, racquetball, soccer, and running. At 40, he made the tough decision to leave Brazil for Canada, not speaking English, but determined to establish Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu abroad. Nearly three decades later, he still shares his passion and knowledge from the heart, helping shape generations of students across the country.

Vancouver

Professor Eden Cheung

TEACHES IN VANCOUVER

Eden Cheung is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with over 10 years of training and 7 years of teaching experience. Certified in Marcus Soares’ fundamentals curriculum, Eden emphasizes Jiu-Jitsu’s problem-solving aspects, guiding students to understand positions, anticipate reactions, and develop effective responses. He works with students of all ages and experience levels, fostering thoughtful and adaptable growth. Before focusing on Jiu-Jitsu, Eden worked as a travelling magician, which brings creativity and clarity to his teaching

Professor Hiro Amano

Teaches in Vancouver

Hiro Amano is a black belt with over 15 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience and five years of teaching. Certified in the Marcus Soares BJJ fundamentals curriculum, Hiro leads disciplined adult classes that emphasize strong fundamentals and respect for martial arts tradition. He values the camaraderie developed on the mats and fosters a focused, supportive environment. While he currently teaches adults, Hiro hopes to work more with children in the future, where his passion for teaching lies. Outside of Jiu-Jitsu, he enjoys training in Muay Thai and cycling.

Langley

Coach Dana Adams

Teaches in Maple Ridge, Vancouver and Langley


Dana Adams is a Brown Belt with over 16 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. She has assisted alongside Grand Master Marcus Soares for 13 years and has led women’s classes for the past 3 years. Dana is especially passionate about teaching children, finding it deeply rewarding to watch their confidence grow not just on the mats but also in how they carry themselves in everyday life. Students can expect to be challenged, supported, and encouraged to push beyond their self-imposed limits. As a mother of five, Dana brings both strength and heart to her classes, lleading by example and helping students build confidence at every stage of life.

Coach Ezekiel Adams

Teaches in Langley

Maple Ridge

Professor Jonathon Curtis

Teaches in Maple Ridge

Professor Nav Padda

Teaches in Maple Ridge

Nav Padda is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt with over 18 years of training and more than 10 years of teaching experience. Certified in Marcus Soares’ Fundamentals Curriculum, he integrates both traditional and modern techniques in gi and no-gi classes. Nav enjoys coaching competitors and children, focusing on building strong fundamentals, discipline, and confidence. Raised in a Sikh family, he often says his true religion is Jiu-Jitsu, reflecting his deep passion and lifelong commitment to the art.