Our story
Racer Jiu Jitsu was founded on a simple belief: great Jiu-Jitsu is about more than submissions. It's about character and building better people.
Led by Head Coach Brian Mussenden, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor James Boran of the legendary "Dirty Dozen" lineage, Racer was created to bring world-class instruction and an exceptional academy culture to our community. Together with his wife Sara Mussenden, and co-founders Matt and Crystal Cerrato, our mission is to create a place where people of every age, background, and experience level can train, grow, and belong.
Everything we do is rooted in the values that make Jiu-Jitsu so transformative: humility, discipline, respect, resilience, and continuous learning. Our coaching team is committed to helping every student reach their goals—whether that's learning self-defense, preparing for competition, improving fitness, or simply becoming more confident in everyday life.
We believe the best academies aren't built on ego. They're built on community. At Racer Jiu Jitsu, you'll find challenging training, supportive teammates, and coaches who genuinely care about your progress both on and off the mats.
OUR TEAM
BRIAN MUSSENDEN, Head Coach, Co-Owner
Brian Mussenden is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Professor James Boran, a member of the legendary “Dirty Dozen,” the first twelve Americans to receive their black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Training since 2007, Brian has dedicated nearly two decades to the art, developing a style that blends pressure, control, and strategic movement — a reflection of both the fundamentals and creativity taught by Professor Boran.
Throughout his journey, Brian has competed in multiple IBJJF tournaments, testing his skills against high-level opponents and deepening his understanding of Jiu-Jitsu through real competition. Beyond competition, Brian has traveled and trained at Jiu-Jitsu academies across the United States, learning from a diverse range of instructors and teams. These travels have expanded his perspective and strengthened his belief that Jiu-Jitsu is a lifelong path of learning, growth, and connection.
Today, as a black belt, Brian continues to train, teach, and represent the legacy of Professor James Boran with pride and gratitude. Passionate about sharing the values of perseverance, humility, and respect, Brian strives to inspire students of all levels to reach their potential both on and off the mats.
CRYSTAL CERRATO, Co-Owner, Women’s & Little Kids Coach
Crystal started training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2020, and brings a passion for helping others learn in a supportive, welcoming environment. While currently a blue belt, her experience extends beyond the mats through years of teaching movement, body mechanics, and coaching students of all experience levels.
As a certified yoga instructor & teacher trainer with over a decade of teaching experience, Crystal has trained hundreds of students in movement, mobility, breathwork, and body awareness. Her unique background allows her to break down techniques in a way that's easy to understand while emphasizing proper mechanics, injury prevention, flexibility, and confidence.
Whether she's working with beginners attending their first class or experienced practitioners looking to improve movement quality, Crystal is dedicated to creating an encouraging atmosphere where everyone feels challenged, supported, and inspired to keep growing.
MATT CERRATO, Co-Owner, Assistant Coach
Matt has spent his life pursuing disciplines that demand resilience, precision, and mental toughness. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu blue belt with years of training, he brings an athlete's mindset to the mats and enjoys helping students develop confidence, discipline, and technical fundamentals.
Before discovering Jiu-Jitsu, he competed as a downhill mountain biker, where split-second decision-making and relentless dedication were essential to success. Today, he continues to challenge himself as an avid spear fisherman, skilled bowhunter, and lifelong fitness enthusiast, embracing pursuits that reward patience, grit, and continuous improvement.
His coaching style emphasizes hard work, respect, and steady progress. Whether working with first-time students or experienced grapplers, he believes that consistency, humility, and a willingness to learn are the foundation of success both on and off the mats.
SARA MUSSENDEN, Business Operations Manager
With 18 years in banking and management, Sara Mussenden brings a strong background in leadership, organization, customer relationships, and business operations to Racer Jiu Jitsu.
After stepping away from her career to become a stay-at-home mom, Sara now brings that same attention to detail and business-minded approach to the academy. She oversees the day-to-day operations, member experience, administrative systems, and business side of Racer Jiu Jitsu, helping create the structure that allows the coaching team to focus on developing great Jiu Jitsu practitioners.
A Tehachapi native, Sara spent sixteen years away from her hometown before returning with her family to embrace the small-town community she grew up in. As the wife of head coach, Brian Mussenden, and a mother, family is at the heart of everything Sara does.
At Racer Jiu Jitsu, Sara works behind the scenes to keep the academy running smoothly while helping build a place where individuals and families can learn, grow, and become part of something bigger than themselves.
