~ Enjoying 'pura vida' in SXM ~

You may have seen him around, doing sports, relaxing on our beaches or in his element helping out at SXM BJJ. He's just a regular guy hanging out on our beautiful island, here's a hotseat from this handsome visitor!

Where are you from?

I was born and raised in Cost Rica and still live there.

What do you do?

I got a bachelor's degree in business administration; but right now, I am a fulltime Jiu Jitsu instructor and competitor. I have also fought professional MMA and plan to continue to do it career wise.

What are some of the highlights of your career?

I'm young and I'm just starting, so I don't like to think I have reached my heights yet; I say this to keep myself motivated. But definitely, receiving my brown belt from Daniel Gracie himself, who is one of the greatest teachers, fighters, persons and mentors I've ever had the luck to meet was a career highlight.

Why are you here?

I am here helping my friend Melissa with the Jiu Jitsu classes at SXM BJJ while she recovers from her ankle surgery.

What have you been doing in SXM besides training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at SXM BJJ?

I've been trying to get to see the whole island and enjoy all the wonderful things it has to offer. I have been kite surfing with Stanislas Rodriguez, a great teacher who got me to stand up on the board on the second lesson. (He is in Orient Bay; if you want to learn from the best, go to him.) Also I have been kickboxing training with the great Marco London in his school in Philipsburg –great training and great people there! I also signed up for and completed Course du Litoral – an 18Km of trail run, which was amazing. I have been doing some trails and bouldering also!

Describe yourself in 3 words!

Live and learn.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?

Teaching, training, competing; teaching, training, competing...

If you were to invite three famous people (living or dead) for dinner, who would they be and why?

Models Cindy Crawford from 1991; Elle Macpherson from 1994; and 2008's Marissa Miller; best dinner ever if you ask me...