PATRICIA HACKER is the Founder and Executive Director of Leverage Labs BJJ, a youth development organization built on the belief that Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and mindfulness offer a unique combination of physical, mental, and emotional development that can help young people build resilience, confidence, emotional regulation, self-awareness, and meaningful connection during some of the most formative years of their lives.

Drawing on years of experience designing mindfulness-based wellness programs, Patricia has spent years studying and implementing evidence-informed practices that support focus, stress management, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal growth. She is passionate about equipping young people with practical tools to navigate life's challenges, build healthy relationships, make intentional choices, and develop habits that support resilience, well-being, and lifelong growth both on and off the mats. Her work is grounded in the belief that physical, mental, and emotional development are deeply interconnected, and that young people deserve access to skills that strengthen all three. She also believes that a strong sense of belonging and positive community can serve as powerful protective factors in a young person's life, helping them build connection, purpose, and resilience during critical developmental years.

Patricia has trained in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Professor Michio Grubbs at Excel Academy in Oceanside and is currently a second-degree blue belt. Through her own training, she experienced firsthand how Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu develops discipline, perseverance, humility, confidence, and community. She also recognized its unique ability to bring together individuals from diverse backgrounds, creating a shared environment where mutual respect is developed through shared challenge, growth is celebrated, and meaningful relationships are built. For Patricia, this sense of belonging is one of the most powerful aspects of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a cornerstone of the Leverage Labs mission.

Inspired by the powerful intersection of martial arts and mindfulness, Patricia founded Leverage Labs BJJ to help address the growing need for programs that strengthen both the inner and outer lives of young people. At the heart of Patricia's philosophy is the belief that genuine confidence is built when young people learn to trust themselves through challenge, self-awareness, reflection, and consistent effort.

Through both mindfulness and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, young people develop the resilience to navigate adversity, the emotional intelligence to respond thoughtfully under pressure, and the confidence that comes from overcoming challenges and proving to themselves that they can do hard things. By combining the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, mindfulness, and leadership development, Leverage Labs BJJ provides a practical, accessible, and impactful framework for helping youth develop skills that extend far beyond sport.

Her vision is to create communities where young people develop the confidence to lead themselves, the resilience to work thoughtfully through challenges, the ability to regulate their emotions, and the empathy to support those around them. Through Leverage Labs BJJ, students gain practical tools for life while being introduced to a lifelong practice of learning, growth, and belonging through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Leverage Labs' network of partner academies.