Est. December 2022 · Team LEAD Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

We are more thana martial arts school.

We are a family that happens to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu six days a week in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

What the name means

The first griprarely holds.

In a Jiu Jitsu match, you reach for a grip and it gets stripped. So you take another one. Then another. The whole art runs on the willingness to lose a position and immediately go again — not to reset, not to start over, just to adjust from wherever you now are.

That is the whole idea behind our name. We came up as Evo BJJ; becoming Second Grip was itself a second grip. The academy is the same people, the same mats, the same standards — with a name that says out loud what we were already teaching.

“No reset. Just adjust. Take the second grip.”

Students training in front of the mural at Second Grip Jiu Jitsu in Carlsbad, New Mexico — 801 N. 8th St., Carlsbad — the mats where all of this happens.

How it started

Two peopleand a shared dream.

In December 2022, Johnny Mendoza and David Vasquez set out with a shared dream: to redefine what martial arts could mean for the Carlsbad community. They envisioned an academy where the door was open to everyone — a place where intimidation is replaced by invitation and where every individual is empowered to grow.

We believe that the mat is a mirror for life. Our mission goes far beyond physical strength; it is about the quiet resilience of character and the undeniable power of a united family. We have created a sanctuary where students of all ages can safely push their limits, shed their doubts, and discover their true potential.

We aren’t just teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu; we are building a legacy of confidence, discipline, and belonging. You aren’t just joining a gym — you are joining a movement to become the best version of yourself.

How we run the room

Four thingswe do not bend on.

The door is open: Intimidation is replaced by invitation. We have three-year-olds and people in their sixties on the same mats, and neither group gets treated like a novelty.
Technique over ego: Nobody proves anything here by muscling a smaller partner. Rounds get matched, taps get respected instantly, and coaches stop what needs stopping.
Everyone was new once: Every belt in the room started exactly where you are. The black belts remember it more clearly than anyone, which is why they are the most patient people on the mat.
Show up, adjust, repeat: Progress here is not dramatic. It is the accumulation of turning up on days you did not feel like it and fixing one small thing.

5 instructors · 3 black belts

Who you willlearn from.

Your personal journey is our priority. We take the time to understand your goals and strengths, creating a supportive partnership that helps you bring your best self forward. Our instructors lead with passion and energy, inspiring you to discover your own drive for growth in every class.

Professor · Head Instructor

Jason Montoya

Black Belt — 2nd Degree

A 2nd-degree black belt under the legendary Bruno Bastos.
A double black belt — BJJ and Judo — giving his students a best-of-both-worlds edge.
Has been breaking down techniques for students of all levels since 2008.
The game planner: he designs the classes so you always have a clear path to get better.

Instructor

Stephen Moore

Black Belt — 1st Degree

Co-Owner · Instructor

Johnny Mendoza

Black Belt

Instructor

Zion Mendoza

Brown Belt

Instructor

Tye McBeth

Blue Belt

We are proud to be a diverse academy where everyone belongs. With a strong, vibrant community of women on our mats, we are dedicated to providing an inclusive space where every student feels empowered.

The best way to understandthis place is to stand in it.

Come watch a class, or get on the mat yourself. Either way the first one is free and nobody will chase you afterwards.