Featured affiliated academy: Dandelion BJJ, Connecticut
Where is the gym located?
375 Morgan Lane Unit 401 West Haven Connecticut. (About 15 minutes west of YALE University)
How many people train there?
25-30 overall
Is the gym growing – if so by how many new members each month or year?
Growing slow and steady. 2-3 per month.
What are the highest and lowest belt grades training?
Black to white belts, and young children and High Schoolers.
When did the gym open?
April Fools Day 2025. Hoping that’s a good omen.
Dandelion BJJ, Connecticut
Some facts about you:
Name: Run by two best friends and teachers: Gabe Martinez & James Cook
Age: 40 (Gabe) & 33 (James)
Belt: Black
Profession: High School: Special Education Teacher (Gabe) & Phys Ed/ Health Teacher (James)
Years in BJJ: 15+
Other martial arts: MMA, Wing Tsun
Currently living in: Southern Connecticut, USA
Originally from: Southern Connecticut
Dandelion BJJ, Connecticut
Please tell us the story of how your gym came into existence
James and I saw a niche of teaching BJJ that wasn’t being addressed in our area. The difference between a “teacher” and a “coach” essentially created our gym.
The slower pace of teaching and attention to details while following a curriculum that everyone is on the same page, has made our students fast learners. Not per class, but overall. If someone can make it to 4 classes a week, or just 1; no matter who is running the class or what time the class is, class will be the same topic with a different flavor. No one gets left in the dark.
We named it DANDELION, because like the dandelion that can grow in any environment, even between the cracks in the pavement, we believe that we can create a space where individuals can grow together, build confidence, and thrive both on and off the mat.
Tell us about the people that train in the gym – who are they?
We have a wide variety of people, as do most gyms. We have mostly teachers and youth coaches, since that’s the background we come from. Some other professions range from ex-military, tech, service industry, trades, and college students. This is very much a blue collar gym.
Why do they train?
Mental de-compression, physical fitness, making new friends, and learning a new puzzle; especially for someone who is bored of a “fitness gym” and wants to learn a skill as well as a sweat.
Dandelion BJJ, Connecticut
What are some of the challenges of running a BJJ gym in general, and in your area specifically?
Right now, the biggest challenge has been exposure. Letting people know that we exist, how we teach and run our programs, what makes us different, and that we are an option for them in the Southern Connecticut area.
How do you see the future for BJJ in your area?
Connecticut is not a big state. Being so close to NYC and Massachusetts, there is no shortage of training options. Just like a city with many good restaurants, having a good variety of gyms where people can train can only make BJJ in Connecticut better.
What’s the best thing about your gym?
The atmosphere! Usually a banger playlist during rolls, the mix of people always ready to help. No ego, no specific gear, and the constant revisiting of positions. We are very much of the mindset… “Don’t practice until you get it right. Practice until you can’t get it wrong!” That may be boring for some people, and that’s ok. There are plenty of other options out there if you want to learn an armbar on a Monday and a leg lock on a Tuesday.
What would you recommend Globetrotters to see in your area apart from the inside of your gym?
Geographically, we are very close to the “pizza capital of the world” and other “foodie” options. We are also close to numerous universities, which bring in lots of travelers. Can’t forget about music venues, especially if you like punk and hardcore. A short drive can either get you to the coast and the beach. Go the other direction, and you’re in the woods with farms, hiking trails, or scenic drives. Rich in history and culture, our area is small but packed with something most people can find enjoyable.
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