About Grounded Jiu Jitsu Academy Scarborough

The Vision

In September 2020, our founder and head coach, Sam, took a leap of faith to open a space where individuals of all ages and backgrounds could come together to learn and challenge themselves in a safe, inclusive environment. From those first days, the mission has remained constant: to make high-quality jiu-jitsu accessible to every member of our community, regardless of their starting point.

Resilience Through Adversity

Shortly after our doors opened, the academy (then operating as Smoothflo) faced the unprecedented challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the restrictions on physical contact, Sam and our dedicated members were determined to keep our spirit alive by adapting quickly with socially distanced classes, taped mat sections, and innovative training methods using dummies. This difficult period proved the strength of our culture, as the unwavering support from our community covered overheads and ensured that the dream of a premier jiu-jitsu haven in Scarborough remained a reality.

Growth and Competition

As training returned to normal in the summer of 2021, the academy entered a phase of rapid development, seeing a surge in membership and a strengthening of our competitive reputation. A defining moment occurred in 2022 when we secured third place at the Empire competition in Manchester, proving we could hold our own against the largest and most established gyms in the country. This era solidified our place as a prominent martial arts hub in the region, defined by the remarkable success and dedication of our students on and off the mats.

Scaling Our Impact

To accommodate our flourishing community, Sam moved the academy to a larger facility  featuring an expansive mat area and improved amenities for all members. This move was a strategic investment in the future, allowing for a more diverse class schedule and providing the space necessary to cultivate the next generation of practitioners. While the physical footprint of the academy grew, our commitment to providing top-tier instruction and maintaining a supportive, family-like atmosphere remained the bedrock of everything we do.

The Evolution to Grounded Jiu Jitsu

In 2026, we officially rebranded from Smoothflo Academy to Grounded Jiu Jitsu Academy to better reflect our core philosophy of fundamental excellence and a down-to-earth community culture. It is important for our members and the Scarborough community to know that while our name has changed, our identity has not; the ownership, expert coaching staff, and our location remain exactly the same. This new chapter as Grounded Jiu Jitsu represents our maturity as an academy and our dedication to providing a stable, world-class environment for everyone to master the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.