Mrkulic Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy

973-454-0352

19 Elm st., Montclair, NJ 07042

Born in the Bronx, NY, Mike moved to New Jersey as a kid in the 70's. Mike started at Clifton High School. His father wanted him to follow in his foot steps by encouraging him to play soccer for Clifton High. Mike quickly realized that team sports were more political than an individual talent, meaning that you could be a better player than others on the team, but still be warming the bench. You could have your best personal game that day and still lose as a team. Mike vividly remembers scoring a picture perfect Pele goal and still losing as a team, then on top of that getting benched. This rubbed Mike the wrong way. Mike realized that "If I win, it's because I win, if I lose I have nobody else to blame but myself, not the team, not the coach, not even the crossing guard". One day, while a sophomore, Mike went to visit a buddy at wrestling practice late in the season. Mike quickly realized this was "it" for him, 1 on 1, mano a mano, and he jumped right into it, then and there. Even though Mike started his wrestling career late, win, lose, or draw he loved the game and the sense that he was finally "The Master of his own destiny". While trying to play catch up by going to summer wrestling camp, Mike won a few tournaments and placed in the Passaic County regionals as a senior. After high school, Mike decided to give college a try. After one semester Mike was introduced to a National Sales company that was expanding around the country. Mike became "Rookie Of The Week" his first week. Always striving for excellence, he quickly finished his sales requirements and was promoted to office manager.

The company immediately relocated Mike to run an existing office that was failing in Baltimore, Maryland. Mike was now responsible for hiring and training others to help build the region. Mike recalls several instances when his 9am interviews woke him up in the office, after falling asleep due to working more than 18 hours the previous day and into the morning. Mike quickly rose to being in the top 10 offices in sales in the country out of approx 250, with 2nd place being his highest achievement, at the tender age of 19. While Mike started with just 1 office in the area, he was directly responsible for opening over 10 other offices to create the Maryland/DC region.

Right before getting promoted to a regional director for the company, his cousin called him from Wall Street. Becoming a Stockbroker on Wall Street was Mike's dream as a kid. He moved to New York City, quickly finished the trainee program, and became licensed with the New York Stock exchange and the NASD. It was here where Mike's passion came into play. He quickly attracted clients and started trading and investing millions of dollars for his private and Institutional clientele. They included a "who's who" of corporate America. He was managing the finances of the owner of the Boston Red Sox, to top CEOs from fortune 500 companies. He was and still is truly fascinated by the markets. Mike says that "The stock market is like a mysterious woman". Later on Mike entered the Investment Banking side of the market. In that capacity he invested millions of dollars in new and existing companies for his clients, while helping them become public on the exchanges. Eventually Mike traded in the fast paced NYC highlife, settled in New Jersey, and ran his own branch office. At every firm where he worked, Mike consistently became one of the top brokers in the firm. Having had 9 successful years on Wall Street, Mike has made millions of dollars for his clients.

No matter what it is, Mike believes you can do anything you want to do, if you want to do it bad enough. In 1999 a family friend introduced Mike to Louis Vintaloro, a Royler Gracie black belt. Mike tried a free intro class where he saw 2 people rolling around in karate uniforms, and he was immediately attracted to the principles of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He quickly learned that a smaller person like himself, could defeat a much larger person by application of technique, balance, and leverage. It was here that Mike finally found his true passion. Instructor Louis helped teach Mike a very technical game from the start. Mike is very fortunate and thankful to have such a great Instructor as Louis Vintaloro. Before BJJ there was a void in Mike's life, an emptiness, and simply working out at the gym became boring. Mike did box for 2 years on Wall Street. But in the end getting punched in the head was not his cup of tea, not to mention those kidney shots. The soft art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was the missing link in Mike's life. Mike needed to know the art as of yesterday so he quickly jumped into the competition scene.

In a little over 2 years training, as a purple belt, Mike was thrown into the International spotlight by being chosen to represent the United States at the Prestigious Abu Dhabi World Submission Wrestling championships. From there Mike received his BJJ brown belt in alittle over a year from Professor David Adiv. With knee surgery in Febuary of 2005, this was not enough to stop him from realizing his deep burning desire of winning a World medal. In July this dream was finally acheived by entering the World Brazilian Jiu Jitsu championships and winning the Bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro. Mike received his black belt from Living Legend Royler Gracie and Professor Lou Vintaloro the next day on his birthday. In 6 years Mike is one of a very few individuals in the world to receive his black belt from the Gracie family in record time. Again, you can do anything you want to do if you want to do it bad enough.

Mike is honored to be part of the Gracie Humaita competition team, and to be part of the legendary Gracie family from Brazil and for being a member of the Royler Gracie David Adiv association here in America.

Mike has realized that there is more to life than money and materialism. One must also be in touch with one's spiritual side. One must take the time out of their busy schedule to find happiness, inner peace, and to learn about their body, both physically and spiritually, by meditating. This can all be achieved by training in brazilian jiu jitsu. Mike has given up his Wall Street career, and now devotes his life full time to train and help anyone that wants to learn this beautiful art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He will show you what has worked for him and what has helped him become successful on the mat. With over 100 grappling matches to his credit,Mike will specifically teach you what has worked for him in the early stages of being a white belt, then blue purple on up. Even the competition level requires a very high technical level with the utmost precision and the full implementation of leverage with catlike balance the whole time. Weighing 135 lbs, Mike needed the precise tools to succeed with the Gracie system frrom all ground positions especially being smaller and weaker than everybody else on the mat. Particularly on your back. First defend, then control and to finally submit your opponent. Simply by using technique balance and leverage.

Mike now wants to give back to the community by helping anyone that wants to learn and help themselves to be the best they can be. He can help you whether it be on the competition scene, or helping you if you're overweight and want to get in the best shape of your life, or to be able to defend yourself on the street. And on top of all this, you will see a huge increase in self confidence.

More importantly is how much fun you will have learning this "human chess". Mike truly feels that we all should live life to the fullest. He is thankful everyday to have found Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, which was the missing link in his life. It'll take you back to when you were a kid at the carnival, having the time of your life. The academy atmosphere is laid back and relaxed with no egos involved. You will feel a positive vibe and energy in the academy, with safety being the most important aspect of training. All students will help you on your journey to BJJ mastery.

As a testament to Mike's skills in the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and in his ability to teach the art, people from all walks of life including the FBI, DEA, police officers, teachers, doctors, attorneys, Hollywood actors, members of the hip hop community, bankers, top competitors, children, and others, have all looked to Mike to elevate their "game" to a higher level. Mike encourages anyone and everyone to experience BJJ and to see for themselves what he is talking about. He is available for your interest in private lessons or group classes.

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