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Taught by one of the female pioneers of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Alberta, Professor Diana Trang ("Professor" meaning "Teacher" in Brazilian Portuguese - a title given to those who earn Black Belt rank in BJJ). Diana is an active coach, community volunteer and social entrepreneur who is passionate about building resilient communities through empowering practices such as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

 

Prof. Diana is a 1st Degree BJJ Black Belt under 5th Degree Black Belt, Prof. Anderson Goncalves (highest ranked in Alberta and one of the highest in Canada) and is the first and ONLY female black belt at her academy.  Diana has been in the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu community 20 years.  As one of the first females to train in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Alberta, Diana has found herself most-often to be the only woman at her academy - something she wished to change when launching her first Women's Only class in January of 2017. She breeds the example that women should and CAN do this.  While her class has been active since it's beginning, her most active training partners are still men, sometimes twice the size of her - a testament to not only women, but to the martial art and self defense itself.

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Prof. Diana began her BJJ training in Edmonton, AB, in 2011 at Arashi-do Martial Arts under Professor Mike Yackulik (affiliation: Behring Jiu Jitsu), earning her blue belt under Arashi-do/Behring.  In 2007, she moved to Calgary and began training with Prof. Anderson Goncalves, later earning her Purple, Brown, and Black Belt under Professor Anderson (Master Joe Moreira Affiliation).  During this time, she's won several achievements -  in more recent years: BC - Gold Medalist at the Abu Dhabi International Pro in 2019; United States - World Masters Silver Medalist in 2017; World Masters Bronze Medalist in 2018; Alberta (2x Alberta Provincial Champion 2016-2017); and Brazil - bringing back 5 medals from Brazil in 2010 (FJJRio State and CBJJ Nationals - 3 Gold);  .  In her early years, due to the lack of women training, she found herself competing in men's divisions - something she reminisces fondly of as it reinforced the benefits and potential.  If you ask her, however, her greatest achievements and pride are the achievements of her students, offering guidance and support to her them and the community, making an impact, empowering others, sharing these skills with her children, and being an ambassador for women and mothers - demonstrating that it is absolutely possible to be a champion mother, competitor, and community membe.

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In addition to this, one of her biggest drivers is the prevalent state and statistics on sexual assault/abuse and mental health decline.  To her, these statistics are disturbing and requires change.  Self Defense, to her, is a FUNDAMENTAL life skill that every person should have access to - but it goes beyond that - it is about self empowerment, self worth, and self care.  For this reason, Diana has actively gifted many of her classes to those in need, advocates in/for the trauma community, and regularly conducts workshops/volunteers her time at many community events and schools to show the need and potential that BJJ/Self Defense can provide.  She has also made it one of her life goals to have a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program in schools to remove barriers to those without access - and to also create awareness. Her first active program began at Renert School in NW Calgary in January 2020.

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Prof. Diana is also a Certified Yoga & Meditation teacher and Ginastica Natural (Movement) Instructor and also teaches group and private classes in both (to adults and kids) in addition to BJJ.
 

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WHAT IS BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU?

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Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) is a grappling art that predominately takes place on the ground with an element of stand-up/throws/take-downs. It is a very practical martial art which utilizes natural body leverage and technique to obtain control of an opponent or attacker. When practiced with proper technique, BJJ can allow a smaller person to defeat a larger person.  To learn more about the benefits of Jiu Jitsu, read Diana's blog post: Phenomenal Woman - Jiu Jitsu for Her.