ABOUT US
PROTACTX BJJ Nocatee, FL provides a challenging, yet fun learning environment for you to develop solid self-defense skills that can help you on and off the mat.
Our training includes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Adults and Children that are beginners, intermediate, and advanced skill levels.
Join us and learn how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu can transform your life.
OUR STORY
When PROTACTX BJJ was developed it was decided from the beginning that we would focus on real world applications of Jiu-Jitsu from a Self-Defense perspective.
This thought process is what has guided us in the direction of our curriculum. We believe that encompassing all aspects of fighting to include stand up self-defense techniques, take downs, striking (both offensively and defensively) and groundwork is the best way to properly prepare our students to be ready to defend themsleves
Our school, instructors and “Technix” are based and have deep roots within Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu is a Martial Art based in self-defense and the ability for a smaller less athletic person to have the capabilities to survive using techniques and leverage. We can trace our lineage directly back to its founding Fathers, Helio and Carlos Gracie through our instructor, Luiz Palhares who is an 8th Degree Red and White Coral belt under Rickson Gracie.
We are a direct affiliate of Master Palhares and are lucky enough to share his knowledge that he has passed on to us directly to you. We are also one of a few schools here in the local area that has direct access to Master Palhares for questions, advice, and periodic seminars for our students.
As a member of PROTACTX Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, you will also be able to visit Master Palhares’s other affiliates with
minimum to no fees.
SCHOOL NAME: PROTACTX
What does the name of our school mean or where did it come from? When we were looking for a name and trying to figure out how do we capture the essence of what we are and how we are sharing our knowledge, we decided to approach it from a military perspective.
PRO- Protection. The ability to protect ourselves, our family, teammates and loved ones.
TAC- Tactics. To be able to provide protection we need to do it in a tactical manner. By using
proper techniques, applied at the right time and in the right manner we should be able to win and survive.
TX- Technix. This is a play on the word techniques, and also means “treatment” used in medical terminology, which is used on the tactical side of PROTACTX. This encompasses the tools we use in our Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense. This would be our situational awareness, fight or confrontation avoidance, de-escalation techniques, moves, submissions, strikes etc.
Meet Our InstructorS
Mr. Yakel is the owner and lead instructor at PROTACTX Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
He first started his Martial Arts Career in the early 1990’s where he was an avid practitioner and competitor in Tae Kwon Do. He competed heavily throughout the East Coast winning and placing in numerous competitions.
He continued with this until he entered the United Stated Army Special Forces in 1996. This is where he was introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and other military combative systems. Although he participated in numerous types of training he did not become seriously involved in Jiu-Jitsu until 2004.
He began training regularly and continued with his training as he could between real world deployments, Combat Tours, and military training. He retired from the military in 2009 and was finally able to dedicate time regularly to training and teaching Jiu-Jitsu. He received his Black Belt in 2016 and was awarded his Second-Degree Black Belt from Master Luiz Palhares in December 2022.
Mr. Yakel also holds a Black Belt in Midori Yama Budokai Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, and has trained extensively in Muay Thai Kickboxing, Modern Army Combatives, and Aikido.
During his teaching career Mr. Yakel was responsible for introducing and implementing Jiu-Jitsu techniques into combatives training within the United States military, law enforcement and various Federal Law enforcement agencies. He has trained a broad spectrum of military operators during his career to include US Army Special Forces, US Army Rangers, Navy SEALs, Air Force Special Operations Members and Marine Corps Force Recon.
He has been the primary Jiu-Jitsu instructor for various Federal Agencies and has personally trained Local Law Enforcement and Federal Agents assigned to high threat locations around the world.
Mr. Yakel has also been an avid competitor over the years competing and medaling in numerous tournaments within the United States and various countries in South America.
Danny Yakel
Founder | Black Belt | Veteran
Professor Mark Czarnecki is a black belt who started his BJJ journey in 2007 at the Ralph Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Mountain View, California, receiving his black belt from Professor William Dias in 2017.
Mark relocated to Ponte Vedra in 2021, refining his BJJ under the instruction of Luiz Palhares, 8th degree Coral Belt.
Professor Mark Czarnecki
Founder | Black Belt | Veteran
Meet Kevin Darcey "DRC", a native Floridian and a passionate Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor. With a purple belt and 9.5 years of training, he also spent 2 years coaching children in Jiu-Jitsu. He's committed to helping individuals build self-confidence through Jiu-Jitsu.
His life motto, "Always Try" and his best advice, "Never Act Old" reflect his dedication to personal growth and youthfulness. Join DRC on a journey of empowerment through the art of Jiu-Jitsu.
Kevin Darcey "DRC"
Instructor | Purple Belt
Coach Matt Braasch is a purple belt who started BJJ in 2017 at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under 8th degree Coral Belt, Luiz Palhares.
Matt is 22-year veteran of the United States Army and holds US Army combatives level-one instructor.
Coach Matt Braasch
Instructor | Purple Belt | Veteran
Mr. Mildorf is the Lead Firearms Instructor at Protactx. He is a Marine Corps veteran with extensive real-world combat experience, having served from 2004 to 2014 and deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror.
He is a former Federal Law Enforcement Officer. He holds multiple certifications in firearms training, including the FLETC Firearms Instructor Training Program, Florida Law Enforcement General Instructor certification, and Enhanced Firearms Training Instructor Certification through FL Public Safety Institute, among others.
He is a certified US Concealed Carry Association Instructor, allowing him to teach and certify civilians for their required FL Concealed Carry Training. He is certified to teach various courses through the USCCA, including Concealed Carry and Home Defense Fundamentals, Emergency First Aid Fundamentals, and Women's Handgun and Self-Defense Fundamentals, and Countering the Mass Shooting
Matt began his journey into Jiu-Jitsu in 2023 and currently trains under Professor Danny Yakel. He said, “In life, finding your tribe is important and the day I walked onto the mat at Protactx, I knew I had found mine.”
Coach Matt Mildorf
Instructor | Veteran
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© 2023 - PROTACTX Jiu-Jitsu
200 Sterling Plaza Dr. Ste 204, Ponte Vedra Beach,
Florida 32081 - (904) 944-7449
Nocatee | Sampson | Palm Valley | Ponte Vedra Beach
