About Us — PROTACTX BJJ | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL
Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

About PROTACTX
BJJ

PROTACTX BJJ training floor
Veteran owned business
Our Story

Built on Discipline,
Forged in Service

PROTACTX BJJ was founded by Danny Yakel, a U.S. military veteran with over 21 years of martial arts experience. After serving his country, Danny channeled his discipline, tactical mindset, and passion for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu into building a training facility in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.

What started as a vision to bring authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the community has grown into one of Northeast Florida's most respected martial arts academies — home to competitors, families, veterans, and first-time students alike.

PROTACTX is more than a gym. It's a community built on respect, hard work, and the belief that Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone — regardless of age, size, or athletic background.

The Name

What Does PROTACTX Mean?

Every letter has a purpose. Every word reflects our philosophy.

PRO
Protection
We train to protect ourselves and those we love. Self-defense is the foundation of everything we teach — practical, real-world techniques that work under pressure.
TAC
Tactics
Jiu-Jitsu is a thinking person's art. We emphasize tactical intelligence — understanding leverage, timing, and strategy over brute strength.
TX
Technix
Technical excellence is non-negotiable. We focus on clean, precise technique so that students of all sizes and ages can apply Jiu-Jitsu effectively.
PROTACTX BJJ
Lineage crest
Lineage

Gracie Lineage

PROTACTX BJJ is proud to carry the authentic Gracie Jiu-Jitsu lineage. Our instruction traces directly through the Gracie family tree, ensuring that every technique taught at our academy is rooted in the original, proven system developed by the Gracie family in Brazil.

This lineage is not just a title — it's a commitment to teaching the art as it was intended: effective, accessible, and built for real-world application.

Mitsuyo Maeda
→
Rickson Gracie
→
Luiz Palhares
→
PROTACTX BJJ
Meet the Team

Our Instructors

Our instructors bring decades of real-world experience from military service, competition, and dedicated mat time.

Danny Yakel, founder and head instructor
Black Belt
Danny Yakel
Founder & Head Instructor | Retired US Army Special Forces Veteran
Danny is a U.S. military veteran with over 21 years of martial arts experience. After serving his country, he founded PROTACTX BJJ with a mission to bring authentic, high-quality Jiu-Jitsu to the Ponte Vedra community. His military background infuses every class with discipline, structure, and purpose.
Black Belt U.S. Veteran 21+ Years Gracie Lineage
MC
Professor
Black Belt
Mark Czarnecki
Professor & Instructor
Professor Mark Czarnecki is a dedicated Black Belt instructor who brings technical precision and deep knowledge of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to every class. His patient, detail-oriented teaching style makes him especially effective with students at all levels — from absolute beginners to advanced competitors.
Black Belt Competitor All Levels
🎖️
Veteran Owned
Military roots, civilian mission
Gracie Lineage
Direct Rickson Gracie affiliation
👥
All Skill Levels
Beginner to advanced welcome
⭐
Award Winning
Ponte Vedra Best of the Best 2025
JOIN US

Ready to Start Your Journey?

Your first class is free. No experience needed. No pressure. Just come train.

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