Teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu since 2010 and Kyokushin Karate since 2005, Daniel credits his successes to the many people along the way who saw something in him that he did not see in himself. This is what he now aims to do for others.

When students feel like giving up, Daniel is the person behind them, pushing them to do achieve things they never thought possible for themselves, showing children they can do anything they put their minds to, adults that they can take control of their lives, and even soldiers suffering from PTSD that Jiu Jitsu builds the camaraderie they crave as they return home and adjust to daily life.

Involved in martial arts since the age of four, Daniel started out in Kyokushin Karate, following in the footsteps of his father, a Kyokushin Black Belt. By 17, Daniel had obtained his own Black Belt and he began teaching. In 2006, he started training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with Reginaldo Almeida.

Shortly after earning his Brown Belt in 2014, Daniel became the Head Instructor of Gracie Barra Nashville. Once he’d earned his Jiu Jitsu Black Belt, Daniel took an opportunity to travel, moving to Vietnam for 7 months to teach English. He returned to the U.S. in August 2017 to continue regular training and teaching at Gracie Barra.

Daniel is a 2^nd Degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and a 3^rd Degree Kyokushin Black Belt. His life purpose is sharing the gift of martial arts.