About Team Passos
Team Passos Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is about creating positive transformation in people's lives through world-class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) instruction. We are located in the Northern Virginia area. We specialize in training both kids and adults in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) in a safe and fun atmosphere.
Jiu-Jitsu coaching is our passion. We are fueled by the mission of providing our students with the tools to reach their personal goals on and off the mat. Our world-class instruction incorporates physical conditioning and a strategic understanding of the positions taught. Since 2008, we have consistently provided personalized attention, support, and tailored instruction to each student. Team Passos students benefit from individualized goal setting and coaching, our structured teaching methodology, and training with supportive teammates under the supervision of seasoned instructors.
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We invite you to swing by our academy in Sterling, Virginia to experience this welcoming BJJ community for yourself and begin your own transformational journey today!
Why Train Jiu-Jitsu?
We believe that many of the tools learned on the mat apply to life's challenges off the mat.
Jiu-jitsu is more than a martial art—it’s a path for personal growth. While it equips you with effective self-defense and improves fitness, it also nurtures qualities like resilience, confidence, and focus. These aren’t just skills for the mat—they’re tools for everyday life.
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At Team Passos, training is about transformation. We aim to become not just stronger athletes, but also better people. Our community is rooted in mutual respect and support, creating a space where everyone can grow at their own pace.
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Whether your goals are self-defense, wellness, or even competition, we’re here to support your journey. With Professor Tony Passos—a globally respected coach—personally leading instruction, you’ll be training under one of the top minds in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, alongside a world-class team.
Why We Exist?
We exist to bring world-class Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) instruction and coaching to our students and to provide the tools for them to reach their personal goals. We believe that many of the tools learned on the mat apply to life's challenges off the mat.
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Beyond self-defense, fitness, and a spot, BJJ is an effective and transformational tool to improve values that include confidence, discipline, self-awareness, perseverance, and respect. The benefits of BJJ transcend age, gender, class, and physical ability. Our number one goal is to partner with you to achieve your personal training goals, including self-defense, fitness, confidence, weight loss, and world competitions.
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Benefit from world-renowned coach Tony Passos personally teaching the classes and top guest seminars throughout the year. Professor Tony is among the top Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coaches in the world and has helped us become one of the strongest teams in Jiu-Jitsu today.
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Team Passos is located in the Northern Virginia area. We specialize in training both youth and adults in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Our world-class instruction includes physical conditioning and strategic understanding of techniques taught for effective self-defense.
To positively transform people’s lives through the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — one student at a time — so they can achieve more.
The Origins
Our story begins with Founder and Lead Instructor Tony Passos. Professor Passos started training BJJ at 18 and moved from his hometown of Recife, Brazil, to the US in 2004, where he began teaching BJJ.
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He would train and teach at other academies in the evening while barely being able to speak English and make ends meet while working at Chuck E. Cheese.
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After 4 years, he decided to take the leap as an entrepreneur and open his own academy in 2008 with his wife as his business partner.
Originally, Professor Passos didn’t plan on running a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy or being a business owner… But his love and passion for the sport and seeing the faces of his students light up when they learn a new technique, progress to their next belt, or achieve a fitness milestone — and with the support of his wife and business partner, Amy Passos, lead him to open up his own BJJ academy unlike any other. Since then, he’s made a name for himself in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community both locally and internationally.
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Professor Passos is a fourth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who’s passionate and exceptionally gifted at coaching and teaching.
He personally teaches the academy’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes six days per week. When Professor Passos isn’t teaching locally, he conducts seminars and coaches at prominent competitions nationally and internationally throughout the year. Seeing how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is such an effective tool for positive transformation in people’s lives, Tony and Amy Passos founded DreamRoot Leadership Institute — which strengthens local BJJ leaders and social initiatives in underserved communities worldwide.
In Their Own Words
We’ve helped over 3,500 students just like you in Northern Virginia experience breakthrough transformation by gaining mental, physical, and emotional fortitude through our proven, easy-to-follow, and safe Jiu-Jitsu training methodology.
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Check out what our students say in Google Reviews and the videos below.
Meet Sean
Invited by a friend, stayed for community
"It's kept me grounded and really pushed me to do better."
Meet Katie
New to the area, searching new BJJ home
"Everyone is so welcoming. The coaches are very knowledgable and patient."
Meet Andres
12 years old, started at age 6
"Everyone in the community wants to help you - they walk with you."