Blue to Black
About Benjamin Olivares, Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt and Mindset Coach
Martial artist since 13. Black belt since 2020. Two-time NAGA Expert Division champion. Now coaching young men and professionals one on one in Las Vegas.
The Journey: Blue to Black
Benjamin Olivares started martial arts at 13 with karate, then trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and Jeet Kune Do at Straight Blast Gym in Oregon. In Las Vegas he trained at Warrior Gym, then earned his blue belt in 2008 under Professor Ricardo Cavalcanti, a black belt under Carlson Gracie.
He earned his purple belt in 2013 under Harout Terzyan of the Hayastan Grappling System, and his brown belt in 2017 at Ronin Jiu-Jitsu Academy under Harout and Henry Coll. He received his instructor certificate in 2019 and won the NAGA Expert Division back to back. Sensei Gokor Ambaryan awarded his black belt in April 2020, and he earned his first degree in 2023.
Off the Mat
Benjamin has spent more than 20 years in high-level sales and luxury retail, and he is a father of daughters. That is where the mindset coaching comes from. He knows what pressure feels like at work and at home, and he teaches young men and professionals how to stay composed, stay disciplined, and keep moving forward. He coaches the same way he lives: show up, do the work, stay humble.
