About us
Empowering Ground
Born in South-West Sydney, Empowering Ground was founded with a clear purpose: to support new generations of women to build confidence, find their voice and shape their own paths.
We bring together Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, practical self-defence and guided reflection through structured, community-connected learning.
Find your ground.
Grow beyond the mat.
Our Mission
Build capability from the ground up.
To empower young people, beginning with girls and young women, to build confidence, resilience, self-regulation, practical life skills and belonging through structured education, mentorship, community connection and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Our Vision
Every young person can shape their pathway.
A future where young people, regardless of background or circumstance, have the confidence, resilience, sense of belonging and opportunities to shape their own pathway and thrive.
Our values
How we create a shared ground for growth.
Connection
& belonging
Welcoming environments where people feel seen, supported and connected.
Courage
& resilience
Supported experiences that help us meet challenge and move forward.
Growth
& self-regulation
Learning, reflection and steady progress, not perfection or comparison.
Respect
& integrity
Dignity, honesty and care for each person’s boundaries and experiences.
“When your defense improves, your self-confidence grows amazingly.”
Renzo Gracie
Empowering Ground Curriculum Committee Members
The women behind Empowering Ground
Marina Koga
Curriculum Network & Program Lead
BJJ black belt · Ground BJJ
Marina designs learning experiences that turn the lessons of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into confidence, emotional regulation and belonging. A black belt under Gustavo Aragão, she has spent over a decade growing the women's BJJ community through open mats, and more recently teaches women and children. With almost 20 years across technology, education and not-for-profit, she founded Empowering Ground.
Luciana Neder
Curriculum Review Committee Member
4th-degree black belt under Carlson Gracie
Thirty-five years in the sport and five Brazilian championship titles. The first woman to teach Jiu-Jitsu in the UAE, she developed a framework for bringing BJJ into public schools, created Jiu-Jitsu Literacy, and founded the Brazilian Commission for Women's Rights in Jiu-Jitsu.
Isabelle Costa
Curriculum Review Committee Member
GFTeam black belt under Júlio César
Almost 16 years in Jiu-Jitsu, with a world title as a blue belt, two Brazilian titles, a Masters Worlds bronze as a black belt and two national titles. She leads a Jiu-Jitsu academy in Swansea with her husband, bringing coaching and competition experience to the committee.
Debra Hay
Curriculum Review Committee Member
BJJ black belt under Vinicius Costa · Grappling Bros / GFTeam
Training since 2014 across competition, emerging coaching and the behind-the-scenes running of martial arts gyms. A Quality Assurance Engineer, she brings systems thinking, critical analysis and continuous improvement to the committee.
Mayara Munhos
Curriculum Review Committee Member
BJJ black belt under Johnny Faria · Alliance
Based in San Diego, with a background in journalism and digital media. Founder of Jiu-Jitsu in Frames, International Correspondent for UFC and Media Producer for Kingz Kimonos. Her reporting on women's experiences and harassment in BJJ adds a communications and advocacy lens.
Sarah Moke
Curriculum Review Committee Member
BJJ black belt under Leo Peçanha
Training, coaching and competing since 2016. Entering martial arts in an environment that lacked safety for women shaped her commitment to those who follow. A fraud prevention professional, she brings a safeguarding perspective and practical coaching experience.
Our community
Years on the Mat and Community
