Meet The Instructors

Manuel Flores was born and raised in Guadalajara, Mexico. His family relocated to the US when he was 14 years old. After moving to the US Manuel started to train and compete in both wrestling and Kickboxing. Prof. Flores managed to keep a busy schedule with competition while raising a family and continuing with his public service. He competed and won his bouts in both MMA (RITC) and Boxing (police olympics). In BJJ Prof. Flores loved competing in the AZ circuit, achieving multiple gold medals. At the international level Prof. Flores has competing at the Masters worlds, US Nationals and Pan Ams, winning  silver and bronze multiple times. Prof. Flores continues to compete but his main focus is the growth of his students. You can find Prof. Flores on the mats rolling and teaching 6 days per week, helping and guiding his students to achieve their goals.

Brenda Soto was born and raised in Nogales, Mexico. Her family relocated to the US when she was 15 years old. Prof. Soto has won both her division and the absolute at the IBJJF Pan Ams both as a brown belt and as a black belt. When Prof. Soto started training she noticed the BJJ community needed to be more welcoming to women wanting to train and offer more options for them. When she and her husband opened their academy in 2010 Prof. Soto started the first women only program in the state of Arizona. As her program grew this inspired other academies to to the same and offer a safe environment for women to start training. Soto on the mats 6 days per week, helping and guiding her students to achieve their goals.

Jeremy’s journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu began in 2006 while serving in the United States Marine Corps, where he discovered how martial arts could build not only combat effectiveness, but also mental toughness, humility, and respect.  What started as combat training has now grown into a lifelong passion for Jiu-Jitsu.  
That passion has grown alongside Jeremy’s family life with his wife and two daughters which fuels his dedication to improving as a practitioner and coach.  Here at Daimyo, you will see Jeremy training regularly in the adult classes as he sharpens his own skills while also dedicating his time to coaching youth classes.  Helping students build confidence, discipline, and perseverance – while continuing to evolve as a practitioner himself has become one of the most rewarding parts of his journey.  

41 years of training

MMA-Cha Striking System- Level Black Certified

Muay Thai- Kru 

Taekwondo 4th Degree Black Belt

Kali (Filipino Martial Arts) - Black Belt

Coach Daniel has an impressive record of competition. Having trained since a young age gives him the experience of knowing how to bring out the best of his students regardless of their age and experience 
Come learn with Coach Daniel and discover your love for martial arts.

In January 2017, after reading Extreme Ownership and hearing Jocko Willink talk about what it means to lead yourself before you lead others — and about jiu-jitsu — I decided to step onto the mats. My experience in the Air Force built the foundation of discipline and accountability, but jiu-jitsu refined it through humility and struggle, shaping the way I lead today as a Firefighter Lieutenant and Coach.

I train and compete year-round because I believe you can’t lead from the sidelines. Competing keeps me honest, disciplined, and connected to the same challenges our athletes face.

As a Firefighter Lieutenant and Coach, I believe leadership starts with example — showing up prepared, staying calm under pressure, and lifting others around you. My vision for coaching is simple: to help build strong minds and humble warriors. For kids, that means confidence, respect, and self-control. For adults, it’s learning to fight through pressure and come out better than you started.

My faith anchors everything I do. Psalm 144:1 — “Blessed be the Lord, my Rock, who trains my hands for war and my fingers for battle.”

Coaching isn’t about creating fighters — it’s about developing character. Whether it’s in a fire, a fight, or a tough season of life, the same principle holds: stay disciplined, stay grounded, and serve others.

Lead. Win.

I started training jiu-jitsu in February 2019 and instantly fell in love with the grind, the growth, and the challenge. Competing since white belt has pushed me beyond my limits—mentally, physically, and spiritually—and taught me the importance of becoming comfortable in uncomfortable situations. Growth doesn’t happen in ease, and jiu-jitsu has shaped me into someone who leans into the hard moments and finds strength through them.

As a woman in this sport, I hope to set an example for my kids and for other girls and women stepping onto the mats—to show that strength and grace can coexist, and that courage grows each time we show up.

I’m passionate about training hard, competing often, and becoming the best version of myself while helping others do the same. I hold tightly to Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.” My faith reminds me that true strength comes from within—and with God, there’s no limit to what we can overcome, on and off the mats.