Conversations with Matt Villalobos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matt Villalobos

Hi Matt, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in West Hills, so the San Fernando Valley is very dear to me. I went to school at Pomelo Elementary, Hale and El Camino Real High school. After high school, I decided to branch out and go to undergraduate at Oregon State University. I fell in love with Exercise and Sports Science and received my bachelor’s degree in that subject with the intention to go to graduate school for Physical Therapy. After graduating from Oregon State University, I return back to Southern California to Mount Saint Mary’s College (now university) and received my degree in Physical Therapy.

Once I gradated, I started my career at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center by enrolling into their Orthopedic Residency and after that the Sports and Manual Fellowship. I have since become a mentor in the orthopedic residency program. After the pandemic, I decided to work part time in Physical Therapy and begin a career running a gym and teaching Muay Thai and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Growing up I was always very active in sports, playing soccer, football and multiple martial arts disciplines. During college, I joined the Oregon State University Judo club and was able to compete in multiple competitions. Once I return to Southern California, I started my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey at 5 Star Martial Arts (now Renzo Gracie Los Angeles).

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road was definitely not smooth. Leaving California to go to undergrad was one of the most difficult decisions in my life. I was in a completely new environment with the closest family being a two hour flight away. The pandemic was especially challenging for me. As part of Kaiser, we had to join in on the hospital care for the patients with COVID in the intensive care unit. During that time a group of us were the prone team, working with many of the intubated patients who were COVID positive. That was one of the most difficult times of my life. Every day presented a different challenge. Unfortunately a large number of the patients we were working with passed away. We witnessed multiple families losing loved ones without being able to directly say goodbye. It was a traumatic time and very difficult to bear.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I work part time as a physical therapist at Kaiser Los Angeles Medical Center where I specialize in sports and orthopedic rehab.

My main line of work is managing Renzo Gracie Evolution in Chatsworth and running the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai programs. Along with that I act as an exercise consultant to the gym. I received my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Shawn Williams and now am able to work with and teach the arts to everyone at the gym. Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an incredibly difficult, daunting yet rewarding martial art. I have been practicing for nearly 14 years now and love how the martial art continues to grow and evolve. My background in healthcare has been extremely useful in working with others who are learning the arts, as I have years of training in how to educate and provide care in ways that people can easily understand and apply. I also feel that the healthcare background has helped me create a very person-centered approach to my practice and an ability to identify how each individual learns. There’s no one approach that works for every individual and recognizing this helps me apply an individualized approach to each of our practitioners.

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
I love the little things. I obviously have to state my wife first here! I’m a huge foodie and love trying various new cuisines. I also enjoy watching acts of kindness, seeing the humanity in people like with the recent fires in Los Angeles.

Pricing:

• Unlimited membership and access to all programs including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Hapkido and Crossfit/Fitness + for $179 per month – no long term contracts. All month to month.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://renzogracieevolution.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renzogracieevolution/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/evomaa/