About Us
Cassio Werneck
Affiliate Professor • World Champion
Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu is proud to be affiliated with Cassio Werneck, one of the most accomplished and influential Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructors in the Sacramento area. A black belt under Ricardo Reis, Cassio established himself as one of the world's elite competitors, highlighted by victories at both the IBJJF World Championship and Pan American Championship in 2003.
Originally from Brasília, Brazil, Cassio began Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the early 1990s and received his black belt in 1998. After relocating to the Sacramento area, he built a lasting legacy as both a competitor and instructor, developing generations of students and black belts while helping establish Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu throughout the region.
Our affiliation with Cassio represents more than a team connection. Both Toby Staley and Xandra Mejica received their black belts from Cassio, and Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu is proud to continue the technical tradition, lineage, and community he has spent decades building in Northern California.
Toby Staley
Professor • 4th Degree Black Belt Instructor
A fourth-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with more than 25 years of experience in the art. He began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in June 2000 and earned his black belt in July 2010 under world champion Cassio Werneck, one of the pioneering figures of Sacramento Jiu-Jitsu. His martial arts journey began even earlier through childhood training in Karate, fostering a lifelong passion for learning, teaching, and personal growth.
Known for his detailed yet approachable teaching style, Toby emphasizes technical understanding, fundamental principles, and continuous improvement. He believes Jiu-Jitsu is best understood as an interconnected system rather than a collection of individual techniques, helping students develop skills that continue to grow long after a particular move is forgotten.
While he enjoys working with practitioners of all experience levels, Toby is particularly passionate about helping students discover how intelligent training, persistence, and a deeper understanding of the art can unlock their potential. He strives to create a welcoming environment where students can build confidence, develop lasting friendships, and enjoy the lifelong journey of training together.
Harold Shafer
Professor • 3rd Degree Black Belt Instructor
Harold Shafer is a third-degree Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with 25 years of training experience. He earned his black belt under John Hassett and is part of the Helio Gracie lineage through Relson Gracie, the Migliarese brothers of Team Balance, and John Hassett. His approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is rooted in the martial art's self-defense foundations, with a strong emphasis on mastering the fundamentals and applying them effectively in real-world situations.
Harold's philosophy is that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu should be taught in a relaxed, welcoming environment where students feel comfortable learning, asking questions, and challenging themselves. He encourages everyone to check their ego at the door, embrace the learning process, and get comfortable being uncomfortable. By emphasizing strong fundamentals, practical application, and continuous improvement, he strives to help students build confidence, discipline, and skills that extend well beyond the mats.
Harold is also the co-host of the YouTube podcast Open Mat Chronicles, where he and his co-host share insights on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training methodology, and the culture surrounding the art.
Rod Campbell
Professor • Black Belt Instructor
Rod Campbell is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with more than 15 years of training experience. He earned his black belt in December 2020 under Gustavo Enriquez of the Cassio Werneck lineage. While he enjoys all aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Rod's primary focus is No-Gi grappling, where he emphasizes technical skill, positional control, and continuous improvement.
Known for his positive attitude and welcoming personality, Rod has a unique ability to make students of all experience levels feel comfortable on the mats. He is especially skilled at helping new students overcome intimidation, build confidence, and develop a lasting appreciation for the art.
In addition to teaching, Rod is the co-host of the Open Mat Chronicles podcast, where he discusses Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, training, and the culture surrounding the art. A lifelong student of Jiu-Jitsu, he is passionate about learning, personal growth, and helping others reach their potential both on and off the mats.
Xandra Mejica
Professor • Black Belt Instructor
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who began her martial arts journey in karate before continuing her training in Small Circle Jujitsu and judo under David Butler and Al Ikemoto with Team Sacramento. After developing a passion for groundwork through judo and earning the rank of brown belt, she began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under world champion Cassio Werneck in 2005 and quickly fell in love with the art.
An accomplished competitor, Xandra competed extensively at the highest levels of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning two Pan American Championship silver medals and a World Championship silver medal before taking time away from the mats to raise her three children. She later returned to training with a renewed appreciation for the art and was honored to receive her black belt from Cassio Werneck becoming the second woman he promoted to that rank.
Before becoming a full-time academy owner and instructor, Xandra served as a Deputy Sheriff with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department. Today, she brings the same values of discipline, leadership, accountability, and service to her teaching.
While she enjoys working with students of all ages, Xandra is especially passionate about helping children develop confidence, resilience, respect, and strong character through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She believes the lessons learned on the mat can positively impact every area of life and is committed to helping each student reach their full potential.
Brian Abe
Instructor Assistant • Purple Belt
Brian Abe is a dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and purple belt who brings a strong commitment to service, leadership, and community to the mats. As a husband, father, farmer, and city councilman, he understands the importance of hard work, responsibility, and leading by example.
Through his involvement in both local government and agriculture, Brian has developed a reputation for integrity, dependability, and a genuine desire to serve others. He brings those same values to his role within the Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu community in Rocklin.
As an instructor assistant, Brian brings a positive and encouraging presence to the academy. He values the confidence, discipline, and resilience that can be developed through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and enjoys contributing to an environment where everyone feels supported, challenged, and encouraged to grow both on and off the mats.
Sarah Abe
Instructor Assistant • Purple Belt
Sarah Abe began her Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey after watching her husband and three sons fall in love with the sport. What started as support for her family’s involvement quickly became a passion of her own, and she has been training consistently ever since, earning the rank of purple belt.
As a stay-at-home mother and an integral part of her family’s farming business, Sarah understands the value of hard work, perseverance, and teamwork. Her experience raising three active boys has given her a deep appreciation for the confidence, discipline, and resilience that can develop through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Sarah values the friendships and sense of community that come from training together and enjoys continuing to develop her own Jiu-Jitsu alongside her family. She brings a positive, encouraging presence to Phoenix Jiu-Jitsu and embodies the consistency, perseverance, and supportive spirit we hope to foster throughout our academy.
"It may seem difficult at first, but everything is difficult at first."
-Miyamoto Musashi