Prof. Jamie Leland – Black Belt

ICP6, CPR

Professora Jamie, a dedicated black belt under Professor Thiago Reinaldo, is both an active competitor and the Lead Coach at Gracie Barra Stafford. Her journey into Brazilian jiu-jitsu began in 2017, following a lifelong interest in martial arts that was never realized until almost 30 years later.

The turning point came in 2016 when she sought a way for her son to learn self-defense amidst concerns about violence in his school. Discovering online videos of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, she was immediately captivated by its effectiveness and enrolled her three children at Gracie Barra Clarksville. Inspired by watching her children train, she soon joined them on the mats, marking the beginning of a profound personal journey.

Just a few months after receiving her blue belt from Professor Deanna Yohe at Gracie Barra Clarksville, Professora Jamie’s family relocated to Stafford, VA. In her search for a Gracie Barra academy where she could continue her training, Professora Jamie quickly realized that there were none in the entire state of Virginia. Determined to continue her training under Gracie Barra, she decided to start one herself. In 2018, Gracie Barra Stafford was founded, the very first in Virginia.

Professora Jamie began her training under Professor Thiago Reinaldo as a 1-stripe blue belt and following his promptings to challenge herself, she began her competition journey in earnest as she neared her purple belt. Since then, she has earned medals at both national and international levels, showcasing her skill and dedication to the art, a testament to Professor Thiago’s dedication to develop and inspire his students.

As professor, Jamie plays a pivotal role in shaping both the kids’ and adult programs and regularly leads the GB1 Fundamentals classes. Her passion is to pass down to others the knowledge and skills that were passed down to her by Professor Thiago, strongly believing that “we are stronger together” – that by helping even just one student grow and improve, others will also grow and improve as a result of it. When one grows stronger, together all will grow stronger.

Professora Jamie’s story is a testament to the transformative power of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, illustrating how it can inspire, protect, and empower individuals and families alike.

Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Reyson Gracie > Osvaldo Alves > Henrique Machado > Thiago Reinaldo > Jamie Leland

Professora Jamie’s major accomplishments include:

• • #1 international ranked female brown belt in her division (Gi & #4 in NoGi)
  • #1 international ranked female purple belt in her  division (Gi & NoGi)
  • 1x IBJJF World Master Champion
  • 2x IBJJF World NoGi Champion
  • 1x IBJJF European Champion
  • 1x IBJJF Brazilian National Champion
  • 5x IBJJF Pan American Champion
  • 1x IBJJF Pan NoGi Champion
  • 2x IBJJF Master International Champion
  • 4x IBJJF American National Gi Champion
  • 3x IBJJF American National NoGi Champion

Other competition accomplishments are:

Brown Belt
🥇2024 Pan American (Open)
🥇2024 Pan American
🥇2024 Indianapolis (Open)
🥇2024 Indianapolis
🥇2023 Brasileiro (Brazilian Nationals)
🥉2023 Pan American (Open)
🥇2023 Pan American
🥇2023 European (Open)
🥈2023 European
🥇2022 World NoGi
🥉2022 World NoGi (Open)
🥈2022 Pan NoGi
🥉2022 Pan NoGi (Open)
🥇2022 Charlotte
🥇2022 Charlotte (Open)
🥇2022 Charlotte NoGi
🥇2022 Charlotte NoGi (Open)
🥈2022 New Haven
🥇2022 New Haven (Open)
🥇2022 Orlando Summer
🥇2022 Orlando Summer (Open)
🥇2022 American National
🥇2022 American National (Open)
🥇2022 American National NoGi
🥈2022 American Natl NoGi (Open)
🥇2022 Washington DC
🥈2022 Washington DC (Open)
🥈2022 International Master
🥇2022 Atlanta Spring
🥇2022 Atlanta Spring (Open)

Purple Belt
🥉2022 Pan American
🥇2022 Pan American (Open)
🥇2022 Indianapolis NoGi
🥈2022 Indianapolis NoGi (Open)
🥇2022 Indianapolis Open
🥇2022 Indianapolis Open (Open)
🥇2021 International Master
🥇2021 International Master (Open)
🥇2021 World Master
🥉2021 World NoGi
🥇2021 World NoGi (Open)
🥇2021 Charlotte Open
🥈2021 Charlotte Open (Open)
🥇2021 Charlotte Open NoGi
🥈2021 Pan American
🥇2021 American National
🥇2021 American National (Open)
🥇2021 American National NoGi
🥇2021 American National NoGi (Open)
🥇2021 Memphis Open NoGi
🥇2021 Memphis Open NoGi (Open)
🥇2021 Memphis Open
🥇2021 Memphis Open (Open)
🥇2021 Pan NoGi
🥉2021 Pan NoGi (Open)
🥉2021 Orlando Open
🥇2021 Orlando Open (Open)
🥇2021 Orlando Open NoGi
🥇2021 Orlando Open NoGi (Open)
🥉2020 World Master
🥇2020 Atlanta Open
🥈2020 Atlanta Open (Open)

Blue Belt
🥇2020 Pan American
🥇2020 Oklahoma City Open
🥇2020 Oklahoma City Open (Open)
🥈2019 Washington DC Spring
🥇2019 Washington DC Spring (Open)