Our story
Years in the making
Curated Jiu-Jitsu was born in 2024. But the story behind it started much earlier.
2017 · The beginning
Where it started
Our story began in 2017, when Jamie and Gabrielle first opened a Jiu-Jitsu academy in Meltham.
Originally part of Gracie Barra, those early years gave us the opportunity to build a community, develop as coaches and learn what mattered most to us about running an academy.
2024 · Curated
Becoming Curated
After seven years of coaching, learning and developing the academy, it was time to create something that properly represented what we'd become.
Curated Jiu-Jitsu was born — independent, considered and built around our own approach to coaching, development and community.
Why Curated
Nothing here is by accident
Curated represents a more considered approach to Jiu-Jitsu. From how we structure our programmes to the size of our groups and the environment we create, there's a reason behind what we do.
THOUGHTFUL COACHING
Clear structure and purpose behind what's taught.
SMALLER GROUPS
More attention, stronger relationships and better learning.
GOOD PEOPLE
An environment where people can enjoy training and progressing together.
2026 · Brighouse
A second home
In 2026, Curated opened its second academy in Brighouse — bringing the same approach to coaching, development and community to a new group of children and adults.
The people
Behind Curated
Jamie Paxman
Co-Founder · Head Coach · 3rd Degree Black Belt
Jamie found Jiu-Jitsu through his brother and initially stepped onto the mats looking to lose weight and build confidence in himself. Nearly 20 years later, he's a 3rd degree black belt, having spent the last nine years as a black belt and much of his Jiu-Jitsu life coaching others.
For Jamie, though, Jiu-Jitsu has always been about more than what's learned on the mats. The part he values most is seeing children and adults grow as people — and knowing that Curated might have played even a small part in making a positive difference to someone's life.
Away from the mats, you'll usually find him around coffee or cars — ideally both.
Gabby Paxman
Co-Founder · Coach · Brown Belt
Gabby's Jiu-Jitsu story started almost by accident. She originally came along simply to help Jamie with the children's classes, with no intention of training herself. Around six months later she finally stepped into an adults class — and immediately fell in love with it.
Eight years on, she's a brown belt and passionate about encouraging more women and girls onto the mats, showing them the confidence and empowerment that can come through Jiu-Jitsu.
Off the mats, a good coffee and pastry are rarely far away.
Nate Burgess
Coach · Purple Belt
Nate has quite literally grown up on the mats. Starting in our children's programme, he quickly stood out — not only because of his ability, but because of the maturity and character he showed from a young age.
Now a purple belt with around six years of experience, those qualities have taken him from student, to assisting with children's classes, and eventually to coaching full-time with Curated. He's become a brilliant young role model for our kids and shares the same belief that the impact of Jiu-Jitsu can reach far beyond the mats.
Away from coaching, he's happiest with a pint and a packet of pork scratchings.
Today
Still evolving
Two academies. Hundreds of members. And the same focus on doing things thoughtfully.
Curated will continue to evolve, our coaching, our programmes and our academies — without losing sight of what made us want to create it in the first place.
Come and experience it
The best way to understand Curated is to step on the mats.
