Hidden Gems: Meet Sara Fonseca of White 2 Black Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Fonseca.

Hi Sara, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu back in 2000, when I was 17. At the time, I was practicing Capoeira, and one of my teammates invited me to try a Jiu-Jitsu class. I loved it instantly — and I never stopped. That teammate became my first Jiu-Jitsu professor (Marcello Rosa). Back then, I was one of only two or three girls in class — and today, I’m the only one who’s still training. It wasn’t easy. There were no female role models around me. We would only see women competing at the few tournaments that existed, and those incredible ladies became my inspiration. I wanted to prove that a girl could not only train and compete but also grow, achieve, and build a life through Jiu-Jitsu.
In 2004, as a blue belt, I began competing and winning all my matches. The highlight came that same year when I won first place at the IBJJF European Championship. That victory gave me a huge boost of confidence and motivation — it proved that I was on the right path and that all the effort was worth it. Later, I continued to compete and placed 3rd at the European Championship as a purple belt and 2nd as a brown belt, each time gaining more experience and drive to keep going.
When I earned my purple belt, I started teaching classes at a firefighter facility. In 2009, I moved to Spain and continued teaching Jiu-Jitsu. Hardly anyone knew what it was then, so I started a small group in a local village — and one of those first students is now a black belt. Later, I returned to Portugal and, in 2013, achieved my long-awaited black belt.
After many years of dedication, I became the second female black belt in Portugal — something that, at the time, felt almost impossible. Earning that belt wasn’t just about technique; it represented every challenge I faced as a woman in a male-dominated sport. I wanted to show that women belonged here too.
Soon after, friends and people from the Jiu-Jitsu community encouraged me to apply for a position with Palms Sports in Abu Dhabi — a company responsible for bringing Jiu-Jitsu to public schools and military programs across the UAE. I was accepted and moved there in October 2014.
That’s where I truly discovered my passion for teaching. I still remember my first class — in the middle of the desert, knowing no one, barely speaking English. But I was determined. I studied, adapted, and gave everything I had to my students. After just two months, I was invited to create and lead the first women’s Jiu-Jitsu team at Al Wahda Club, one of the top soccer clubs in the country.
That’s also where I met my husband and partner, Professor Ítalo Nunes. He was already a highly accomplished black belt, teaching for the military and supervising several programs. We shared the same passion for helping others grow through Jiu-Jitsu — and the same dream of one day building something of our own.
When our daughter was born, we felt it was time to start a new chapter. We moved to the United States to continue our journey and were invited to become head coaches at Premier Combat Center in Omaha, Nebraska. We spent wonderful years there, building a strong and supportive community and continuing to compete internationally. Ítalo earned the IBJJF World Masters title in 2021 and a IBJJF Pan Jiu-Jitsu Tournament gold medal in 2020, while I earned podium finishes at both the Pan and World Masters, including: 2nd at Pan-Ams in 2020, 3rd place World Masters in 2021, 3rd Pan Tournament 2021,. and 3rd at Pan Jiu-Jitsu 2022.
Outside the mats, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media Studies, in Lisbon, and during the COVID pandemic, I decided to pursue my Master’s degree in Marketing from the London School of Design and Marketing. By then, Ítalo and I were already planning to build our own company — and I wanted to gain the business and communication skills to make that vision real. Over the years, I had worked in several companies, but nothing ever connected with me the way teaching did. I knew that combining my academic background with our passion for Jiu-Jitsu was the path to creating something meaningful.
After more than 20 years on the mats and teaching in six different countries, we felt it was finally time to bring our vision to life. In early 2023, we moved to Arizona and opened our own academy — White 2 Black Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in Mesa.
White 2 Black Academy isn’t just a facility — it’s the reflection of everything we’ve lived, learned, and built over two decades. It’s a place where students of all ages, especially women and children, can find their confidence, discipline, and community — just like I did.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all — it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. But I think that’s what makes the journey so meaningful. When I started Jiu-Jitsu in 2000, there were almost no women training. I was one of just a few girls on the mats, and most of the time, I had to roll and learn with men. There were no female professors to look up to, no women’s divisions in local tournaments, and no one to tell me that I could actually make a career out of this. In some events, I even had to compete against men just to be able to fight. Those experiences were tough, but they made me stronger — they taught me to trust my technique and to never let fear or doubt decide for me.
There were also personal and cultural challenges. Moving from Portugal to Spain, then later to Abu Dhabi, and eventually to the U.S., meant constantly starting over — new countries, new languages, new students, and new systems. When I moved to the UAE, I barely spoke English and found myself teaching in the middle of the desert to people I’d just met. It was intimidating, but that’s where I truly learned to adapt and to trust in the power of Jiu-Jitsu to connect people beyond words.
As a woman in a male-dominated sport, I also had to earn respect in every new environment. Sometimes people don’t take me seriously at first — until they saw the results, the discipline, and the heart I brought to the mats.
And then came one of the most important parts of my journey — meeting Ítalo. Knowing him was the missing piece. He believed in me from day one and supported me in every step of this path. He always saw my potential, even when I doubted myself. That partnership — both on and off the mats — gave me the strength and confidence to dream bigger, to compete harder, and eventually to build something of our own together.
When we moved to Arizona to open White 2 Black Academy, we had no students — just two friends in town and a dream. We built everything completely from scratch, with no business experience, just hard work, consistency, and faith in what we were offering and our skills. Every new student who walked through the door was a reminder that we were building something real — a community from the ground up.
Every struggle along the way — from being the only girl on the mats to starting over in new countries to opening our academy with no guarantees — shaped who I am today. They taught me resilience, patience, and the importance of staying true to your purpose, values that I brought from Jiu-Jitsu.
Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. The road wasn’t smooth — but it led us exactly where we were meant to be.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
At White 2 Black Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, we’re more than just a martial arts school — we’re a family-centered academy where people of all ages can grow in confidence, discipline, and community. Our name represents the journey that every student takes — from their first day as a white belt to reaching black belt — not just on the mats, but in life. Our mission is to help the people of East Valley transform their lives through Jiu-Jitsu — offering the right tools to build confidence, wellness, self-defense skills, and a deep sense of belonging. We offer programs from babies to teens, adults, and women, but one of the things that truly sets us apart is our baby class for 3–4-year-olds — we are currently the only academy in the state offering a structured Jiu-Jitsu program exclusive for this age group. At that age, the focus isn’t on competition — it’s about coordination, focus, listening skills, teamwork, and having fun while learning movement and confidence through play. It’s amazing to see how even our youngest students start developing discipline, social skills, and self-awareness from such an early age.
Our academy is known for its welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. Whether someone comes in seeking fitness, self-defense, stress relief, or a new community, they immediately feel that they belong. Every student — from the shy toddler to the adult stepping onto the mats for the first time — receives personal attention and authentic guidance from experienced international black belts in every class.
We’re also especially proud of our women’s programs, where we combine self-defense, fitness, and empowerment in a safe and supportive environment. Many women walk in unsure or nervous, but they leave feeling strong, capable, and connected — and that’s one of the most rewarding parts of what we do.
What makes White 2 Black Academy special is that we share our knowledge with heart, consistency, and the belief that Jiu-Jitsu can help anyone grow.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of the energy and environment we’ve created. The academy is clean, modern, family-friendly, and full of positivity. Our culture values effort over ego, respect over rivalry, and community over competition.
At the end of the day, what we want people to know is that White 2 Black Academy isn’t just about Jiu-Jitsu — it’s about becoming a better, more confident version of yourself. Whether you’re 3 or 63, there’s a place for you here.
1. Our programs:
• Baby (3-4y)& Kids (5–6): learning discipline and focus through play.
• Youth (7-10) & Teens (10-14): building confidence, resilience, and leadership.
• Adults BJJ: structured programs for fitness, clarity, and defense.
• Self-Defense (Women Only classes) & Women Healing Program: trauma-informed training that blends therapy, wellness, and empowerment.
• Family BJJ & Homeschooling Programs: uniting parents and children through shared growth.

2. We’re proud to be known for:
• A premium, welcoming environment — from curated gifts and wellness amenities to our signature “Saturday Welcome Table.”
• Our Women Healing Program, the first of its kind in Arizona, created in partnership with therapists for a trauma-informed, empowering approach to martial arts.
• A clear-path methodology, where every student trains with a purpose — whether earning a blue belt, losing weight, or finding mental balance.
• A family-driven culture, where parents and kids train side by side, modeling the virtues of effort, respect, and discipline.

3. Our Philosophy
We stand by one guiding belief: “The excellence we seek on the mat should mirror the excellence we live off it.”
White 2 Black’s philosophy draws from Aristotle’s idea that virtue is a habit, and from the Stoics’ reminder that control and focus lead to peace.

4. What We’re Most Proud Of:
We’re most proud of our community — the parents who lead by example, the women who find healing through movement, and the teens who discover discipline and self-worth in a world full of distractions.
We’ve seen Jiu-Jitsu rebuild confidence, restore families, and help people overcome anxiety, fear, and doubt. That’s what makes White 2 Black Academy more than an academy — it’s a movement of transformation through martial arts.
We’re known for our unique blend of high performance and human care.
Students come to us for world-class instruction, but stay because of how they feel here — supported, seen, and inspired to grow.
At White 2 Black, we don’t measure success only by belts or medals, but by transformation stories:
the shy teen who finds her voice, the anxious adult who discovers calm, the woman who rediscovers her strength, or the family that reconnects on the mat.

5. What We Want Readers to Know
White2Black is redefining what it means to train Jiu-Jitsu — where sport meets purpose. Whether you come for fitness, confidence, or community, you’ll leave with something deeper: a renewed sense of who you are, what you’re capable of, and the tools to face life’s challenges with confidence.

8. What We’re Most Proud Of
We’re most proud of our community. Of the people who walk through our doors seeking strength and leave with clarity, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
We’ve seen parents bond with their kids on the mat, women find healing through movement, and adults rediscover joy in discipline.
That’s what fuels us — not just building champions on the mats, but champions in life.

Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Absolutely. I often recommend two books that perfectly reflect our philosophy at White 2 Black: The One Thing by Gary Keller and The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. Both remind us that excellence isn’t about doing everything — it’s about doing the right thing, consistently. I love to share these ideas with our students because they mirror what happens on the mat: small, deliberate actions repeated over time create transformation.
In Jiu-Jitsu and in life, it’s not about perfection — it’s about progress. When you show up, focus on one meaningful thing, and keep compounding that effort, the results become exponential — in strength, confidence, and mindset.
We’re also beginning to integrate this mindset into our Women Healing & Empowerment programs, where we combine martial arts, reflection, and self-growth to help each woman rebuild consistency and belief in herself — one step, one roll, one victory at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://white2blackacademy.com/
• Instagram: white2black.bjj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/white2black.bjj/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@white2blackacademy

Image Credits
White 2 Black Academy