About Us
Isaac Mass is the Owner and Director of The Ark Academy and a lifelong martial artist. His journey began in 2012 with Tae Kwon Do and Aikido, eventually leading to Krav Maga and, in 2017, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu—his true passion. Since discovering BJJ through Balance Studios in Philadelphia, he’s been fully immersed in the art, training daily and embracing its philosophy.
Isaac is the founder of Jews of Jiu Jitsu, a global community uniting Jewish practitioners in a welcoming, competitive, and respectful space. He also founded and leads KosherClash, a premier Jiu Jitsu tournament series in New Jersey designed for Jewish athletes, with Sunday events that honor Shabbat observance.
Off the mats, Isaac is known as The Holistic Dog Coach, having helped thousands of clients connect with their dogs through personalized, intuitive training. He brings the same thoughtful, adaptive approach to his Jiu Jitsu coaching, working closely with kids and adults alike.
Isaac lives in Teaneck, NJ with his wife Sarah and their two sons. He currently trains under renowned instructors Tom DeBlass and Sean Yadimarco, continuing to grow as both a practitioner and a teacher.
Sean Yadimarco – Head Grappling Coach
Sean Yadimarco is an elite Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete and the head grappling coach, known for his technical expertise, competitive grit, and passion for developing the next generation of champions. A black belt under the renowned Tom DeBlass, Sean brings a wealth of high-level experience to the mats.
He is currently ranked #7 in the IBJJF heavyweight division and was a Top 10 ranked 185lb submission grappler on FloGrappling in 2022. His impressive competition resume includes being an IBJJF Pan and National Champion, a World Bronze Medalist, and an ADCC Trials Semi-Finalist. Sean is also a multi-time ADCC Open Champion and a veteran of Who’s Number One (WNO), where he has competed among the sport's elite.
Dedicated, disciplined, and always evolving—Sean is not just a coach, but a competitor and a mentor committed to excellence on and off the mat.
“Jiu Jitsu is not just a sport—it's a language of resilience, where every grip, sweep, and choke teaches you how to stay calm in the chaos and find strength in the struggle.”
— Isaac Mass