Jeanette Portocarrero has accomplished a first for the Antelope Valley. She  joined the few elite women in the country as she was promoted to the rank of black belt on January 16,2007 by the renowned Jiu Jitsu Master Jean Jacques Machado. To date there is less than 20 women in the USA to wear a Black Belt and one of them is here in Palmdale, California. Jeanette’s many years of dedication to this sport is a testament to anyone trying to fulfill a dream. As she simply put it," If you want something bad enough you have to go out and get it" and that’s just what she did.
 Jeanette has been training in Jiujitsu about 11 years, her training started here in Palmdale  when she  met my life partner Dan Howard  who now runs the successful Antelope Valley Jiu-Jitsu Academy. needles to say he made it quite clear that no one would get between him and Jiu -Jitsu so with no further a do she joined in :)
She later decided to pursue Jiu-Jitsu to the fullest extent in order to pass on her experiences and knowledge. At the time there were no existing academies in the area, she saw the need for community activities and  the opportunity to one day introduce the sport to the members of the Antelope Valley. Many were  not quite so passionate,often frowned upon her dream and questioned  the economic challenges of the Valley, Jeanette was   repeatedly was  told it would be wasting her time.

Fast forward a decade later and there she was a black belt,  those who left  in search of their Jiu-Jitsu dreams and  who never had an interest in teaching, later joined in after seeing the success. Jeanette quotes."I started here and will remain here for the long hall, the Antelope Valley has been good to me in so many ways my work has only began"

In a combat-sport primarily dominated by men I was one of  two females in Jean Jacques  Academy, I'm proud to say the other  was World Champion Felicia Oh, the student base was well over one hundred male students but I proved my point with my  promotion to black belt. I endured many challenges, physical, emotional and mental amongst others I hope to one day write about, however my intention to pursue Jiu-Jitsu was not to challenge or parallel the strength of a mans but was out of my determination to be skilled in my own right as a Jiu-Jitsu Martial Artist;  Anyone who knows  Jiu-Jitsu, knows  its not about strength, its about technique; I was amazed at a small mans ability to not only defend but to submit their a bigger  opponent and here I am years later doing just that.
In Jiu-Jiutsu at least were I come from there is no belt test, it’s simply you get the job done in real life or you don't!....and so I did, "thank you Jean Jacques".

In closing Jeanette says, Jiu-Jitsu has empowered me  not only in the physical sense but  mentally, It  has been most humbling and afforded me with the  life’s  richness money can’t buy.

AV press release 2007

Anyone interested in checking out the training center feel free to contact her through this site.