Born and raised in San Diego, Raquel Cusi (@StrongholdMom) first started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2005 in response to sexual assaults that occurred to 2 ladies in the same week: one at her alma mater, Cal State San Marcos, and one at San Diego State University. She now has the privilege of owning The Stronghold with her family in Point Loma in San Diego. As a Jiu Jitsu Purple Belt under Roy Harris, her vision is to teach Jiu Jitsu and Self-Defense alongside her kids and share her love of the Martial Art with other families in San Diego. She has 5 children of her own: a son (14 years), and 4 daughters (12 10, 7 and 2), and all of her kids have started training at the age of 2. Her hope is to also encourage and empower ladies of all ages to be introduced to basic Self-Defense techniques and to gain an understanding of other Jiu Jitsu fundamentals.

Head Black Belt Adults Instructor

2019 No-Gi World Champion

Johnny Tama was born and raised in Guayaquil, Ecuador and first started teaching at The Stronghold in 2016, when introduced to the Stronghold family with other Alliance Ecuador Ecuador students. Not only is a No-Gi World Champion, he is highly decorated competitor in several IBJJF, SJJIF, UAEJJF tournaments and superfight circuits such as Fight2Win and Five Grappling.

Adults Fundamentals + Kids Coach

Toren Sutton is a Purple Belt under Professor Michael Cusi and Johnny Tama, and first started Jiu Jitsu in July of 2018.