This isn’t just about training.
Every time you step on the mat, you’re contributing to something bigger. Through our Earned Impact system, your membership helps fund programmes and support for people who are struggling and might not otherwise have access to it.
You’re here to train, improve, and show up for yourself, but at the same time, you’re part of something that reaches far beyond the academy.
You show up and put the work in
Your membership helps fund the Foundation
That funding helps provide real support where it is needed
Rene Terblanche is the founder and head coach of Mind on the Mat, with over 15 years of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu experience and more than a decade of coaching.
A European Championships medalist, he has also helped students achieve podium success at major competitions.
Beyond the mat, Rene is a mental health advocate whose own experience of neurodiversity shapes his coaching.
Mind on the Mat was created to help people move out of isolation, build confidence, and feel the physical and mental benefits of Jiu Jitsu.
Heath has been training BJJ for over 16 years and has dedicated his life to martial arts, starting traditional martial arts at six years old, he has competed in MMA and earned black belts in Judo, Kickboxing, Japanese Ju Jitsu, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Away from the mats, Heath has worked in the Health and Wellbeing industry for more than 25 years and is a qualified Performance and Wellbeing Coach.
He is passionate about coaching, helping others unlock their potential and strives to create an inclusive and supportive environment where people can grow in confidence, build meaningful connections, and learn practical self-defence skills that translate into everyday life.
I’m Tommy, and for the last three years, I’ve dedicated nearly every spare moment to training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
I compete regularly, bringing home multiple gold medals that reflect my hard work on the mats. Beyond the competition, BJJ has given me incredible confidence and a sense of belonging.
I love being part of this team where we always have each other's backs, and I’m excited to help our younger students find that same strength and community.
Kenny, better known on the mats as "KennyBear," is a purple belt who first dipped his toes into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu just before COVID hit before diving in headfirst as soon as training resumed. What started as a gift from his sister a BJJ gi quickly turned into a passion that has kept him coming back ever since.
Kenny believes that while Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is a challenging martial art, it should always be enjoyable. His approach is simple: train hard, laugh often, and never take yourself too seriously. After all, there's nothing better than choking your friends or getting choked by them and sharing a laugh afterwards.
Whether you're stepping onto the mats for the first time or looking to improve your game, Kenny aims to create a welcoming, relaxed environment where everyone can learn, grow, and enjoy the journey together. For him, the best part of BJJ isn't just the techniques it's the friendships, the community, and having fun every time you train.
I started training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at 33, looking for a new challenge and an outlet outside of work and family life. What I found was far more than a martial art.
As an Army veteran, BJJ filled many of the gaps that came with leaving the forces. It gave me a sense of belonging, a supportive community, the discipline to keep improving, and an environment where I can continue to challenge myself both physically and mentally.
Today, Jiu Jitsu is a family affair. Both of my children train alongside me, and seeing the confidence, resilience and friendships they are building has been one of the most rewarding parts of my own journey.
As a coach, I want everyone who walks through the door to experience what I did. Whether your goal is fitness, self-defence, competition or simply finding a great community, my aim is to help you enjoy the journey and become a little better every time you step onto the mats.
I’ve been training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the past 18 months, and in that time it has become a huge part of my life. I’m a blue belt and train at Mind on the Mat.
I started training to improve my fitness, but I stayed for the camaraderie, discipline, and self-defence. Since then, I’ve competed regularly and have been fortunate to win multiple gold medals, with every competition helping me grow both on and off the mats.
As a kids’ coach, I’m passionate about helping the next generation build confidence, resilience, and respect in a positive and supportive environment.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has given me so much in such a short time, and I’m grateful to be part of the amazing community at Mind on the Mat.
