10th Planet Founder Eddie Bravo Visits 10th Planet Oakland

10th Planet Jiu Jitsu founder Eddie Bravo visited 10th Planet Oakland to teach, spend time with the academy and support his longtime student and coach within the 10th Planet system, 10th Planet Oakland founder and head coach Michael Hillebrand.

Hillebrand received his black belt under Denny Prokopos, Eddie Bravo’s first 10th Planet black belt, establishing a direct connection to the earliest generation of the system. At the time of this visit, Hillebrand was a second-degree 10th Planet black belt, having received his first and second-degree promotions from Bravo.

Over the years, Hillebrand’s role within 10th Planet has extended beyond running the Oakland academy. He has worked directly with Bravo helping coach and support athletes from across the broader 10th Planet team, while continuing to contribute to the development and evolution of the system.

That relationship is an important part of the coaching philosophy at 10th Planet Oakland. The academy remains closely connected to the larger 10th Planet system, with ideas, techniques and competition experience continually being tested, exchanged and brought back into the room in Oakland.

Bravo’s visits give Oakland students another opportunity to experience that connection firsthand, learning directly from the founder of the system and seeing the collaborative approach that has helped 10th Planet continue to evolve.

Of course, not every memorable moment from a visit happens during training.

In between teaching and spending time with the team, Eddie found himself sitting on the mats with one of the smallest visitors to the academy — a kitten.

The photo became one of our favorite moments from the visit and a reminder that some of the best memories in Jiu Jitsu happen between rounds.

A huge thank you to Eddie for making the trip to Oakland, sharing his Jiu Jitsu and continuing to support the academy.