Playground Jiu Jitsu Academy

Shane and Karina are awesome. They have a wonderful way of teaching that makes it easy to understand for different learner. Ju jitsu is a very hands on sport and I’ve never felt uncomfortable or threatened in any way. The gym is super clean and such a cool environment. Highly recommended.

PJJA is a great place for adults and kids to learn multiple types of self defense, my favorite being jiu Jitsu. I currently have our 2 boys in the kids jiu Jitsu class and they love it more than any other athletic class we’ve ever had them in. All of the coaches are great instructors showing patients with the students while teaching perfect form to get the most out of the class as well as making it fun and enjoyable for the kids. I’d highly recommend PJJA Academy to anyone wanting to lean self defence in a friendly family environment… Thanks coaches!

I recently started training with Shane and the PJJA family and it has been nothing short of fantastic. Whether you’re a beginner and have no martial arts experience, or an experienced jiu jitsu competitor, there is a place for you at PJJA.
My goal was simple: find an exciting, fun workout where I could learn a new skill. If you’re tired of the mindless treadmill running next to my 70 year old Grandmother (love her!), come give it a try at Playground Jiu Jitsu. Shane and Karina have created a welcoming, no pressure environment that caters to a broad base of people (teachers, finance guys, military members, etc.).
In addition to the nightly Jiu Jitsu classes, Shane also runs a successful kids program, a dutch kickboxing class, and an MMA training session. He is a lifelong martial artist with experience in a number of martial arts: Judo (black belt), Taekwondo (black belt), and world class training in Jiu Jitsu (brown belt) from the legend Robson Moura. Given Shane’s top tier credentials, it is even more impressive he is able to keep a humble, welcoming attitude toward people of any skill level.
Every year I reflect back on things I should do more often: read more books, donate to charity, run a marathon… the list goes on. This year I accomplished one of my goals — joining a reputable, fun Jiu Jitsu gym. I cannot recommend it enough! I’ve never felt better!

Three years ago I met Kru Shane and have never looked back. There is a passion with which he teaches that is rare to find these days. It matters not who you are, what you know or don’t know, or how «weak» you think you might be… he will create an inner confidence in you that you never knew you had. You will leave stronger than you ever thought possible. And you will sweat in places you didn’t know existed.
Jiu Jitsu is in his arteries and Muay Thai is in his veins. And as naturally talented as he is in these martial arts, he considers himself a lifelong student. Always learning, craving, and in turn, sharing. The dedication he has towards his students is insurmountable. He treats every soul that walks into his space as an individual with infinite potential. And the most intense form of devotion is directed towards his kids. He’s not interested in making «belts» out of them, he’s interested in making rock solid human beings. He wants to ensure that his kids will handle life the way they handle Jiu Jitsu… with patience, endurance, respect, and smarts. And he wants his adults to take what they learn on the mats and use that to better their interpretation of all things in life and to cope with rough patches in a healthier manner.
He will always remind each person that they’re their own «rate limiting step». He will never relent until you push past your own barriers to «complete the drill». You will leave each day with an irreplaceable high. His mats are an experience that no one should miss out on… EVER.
Once you enter… you’re family.

When I first started training at this gym Shane was encouraging and enthusiastic about BJJ. As time progressed he would belittle, make rude comments and make fun of any single females in the class in front of everyone. Day by day you never knew what mood you would find him in and getting him in a good day was rare. He would rather talk to higher belts or parents in the class than teach his students. I’m giving this a 1 star because I can’t give 0. I now train at another facility not associated with Shane and it’s a world of difference. Shane teaches respect, loyalty and family but it’s all talk… He doesn’t actually live by what he preaches.

PJJA is a great place to train in martial arts. There is no MCDojo feeling here. Students are not just a payment, but we are treated with respect. As a life long martial artist, I searched for an academy fitting my goals and found it here. Coach/​Kru Mount is very honest and straight forward. He never uses rank or experience to make someone feel insecure or out of place. The other instructors and upper belts are great as well. They are eager to help you learn and go above any beyond to make you feel comfortable. The other students are just as welcoming and it feels like a family and not a group of individuals and that is a top down philosophy starting with Coach/​Kru Mount.

I’ve come to Play ground bjj a few times. The training is on point and very professional. It has a great kids program and would recommend it to any friends or families in the area. The vibe is fun and there’s always something new to learn I give this academy a 5 out of 5 stars!!!

One year ago, when first meeting Shane Mount, our family thought he would be the perfect fit for our family as a coach. Our son trained, then, my husband and, shortly thereafter, I did, too. Shane Mount has a way of blurring the line between friend and coach and our family was invited to do just that, because he stated he did not have any friends in the same age bracket. As time went on, things became uncomfortable. Shane Mount complained about working at the gym he has since moved away from.
Since our time there, one year, he’s moved twice. For both moves, our family helped him after hours with anything that he needed help with, one day till 3 am. Shortly, thereafter, he had a falling out with the gym director and was told to leave. Now, this was his second move, or so I thought. I was surprised to learn that he has moved four times altogether in a short amount of time. The location he chose to move to is incredibly inconvenient and extremely hot, during the summers. It becomes so hot that parents are constantly walking out into the parking lot to get away from the heat inside the gym. When asked whether there would soon be an a/​c, he simply replied that people in Brazil train under worse conditions. This, to me, was an indication that Shane Mount didn’t really care what his students or parents thought about the business, itself.
My husband and I decided to pull out of the program, but leave our son enrolled. That’s when we were presented with a barter by Shane Mount. If I worked the front office, then, my husband could take classes. I felt uncomfortable, but my husband wanted to take him up on it so we did. A few weeks after, the barter was taken away, because he told me that he was under investigation for the after-​school program he is running, but isn’t licensed to do. What did the barter have to do with this? Well, he said he was also told that was not allowed. Naturally, I was surprised and told him it was not a problem and my husband would pick classes up again when we were ready to incur those payments. However, he still continued the after-​school deal, which seemed dishonest.
When he moved to his new location in July 2014, things were extremely unstable. We, along with another family, were told that the gym was probably going to close, since he wasn’t doing well financially. Since, then, we have been asked to pay month to month and at one time pay in cash, immediately. When others began looking into other academies, we were tempted, but wanted to remain loyal and see him through to the end.
All of this did not matter, because I decided to speak up for my six-​year-​old son. At one class he was met with a sarcastic command, which he followed and was reprimanded for. I did not agree with this and calmly told Shane Mount that I did not agree with his actions. He gave my son an order, and he followed it, but because my six year old did not understand sarcasm, he was reprimanded. I was met with hostility at my disapproval, had a finger pointed directly at my face and told, «Outside, now!» In the lobby, I was not handled professionally, but screamed at and told I disrespected him in front of his students. He told me that my son should listen and I tried to make him see that he did obey the coach’s sarcastic command. Shane Mount at this point admitted that it was sarcasm and I told him kids this young don’t understand sarcasm. He, then, told me if I didn’t like it, I should take my son and go. I thought about it for a second and realized that I didn’t like the way I or my son were treated, so I followed his advise and left.
Since, I have attempted to contact Mr. Mount, but my call was ignored. I did message him to apologize for interrupting his class and admitting that maybe I should have waited till after class to discuss the situation, but also declaring that he should have been more professional. Shane Mount has told the children that while they are in his class they are not to listen to anyone, except for him. This includes the parents. He states that we have our children for more time and he has them one hour. However, he fails to appreciate that parents are parents for 24 hours a day, including the hour he is a coach.
There are other coaches at this academy and they are wonderful. We’ve also met some fantastic people along the ways and for that I’ll give the facility 1 star. It all seems clear now that Shane Mount has had to leave several facilities because he does not know how to work well with others. The bottom line, I feel that Shane Mount is a prideful individual who demands respect and loyalty from others, but refuses to reciprocate.

I have done Martial arts all my life. A few years ago I started Jiu Jitsu with Coach Shane. After a year I changed jobs and moved. I have been to other very quality schools since then.
I have to say I learned more from Coach Shane then any other instructor and I feel is teaching strategy is one of the best.
I wish I could have trained there longer, because every day I felt Coach Shane helped me improve.

I train in the mecca of brazilian jiu jitsu and mixed martial arts; Orange County, CA and have been to many gyms in the area as well as in my travels. I found this school while vacationing up north and immediately fell in love with the program. Not only did I get an amazing workout, but I was given great instruction from a well-​rounded and respected instructor. His knowledge was extensive and I learned a bunch of techniques to tighten up my game. Every time I travel up north I make sure to stop by and train. If you’re in the area or passing through this is definitely THE spot to train in the area. Check it out. You won’t be disappointed!

Monster Gym is a great place to train and learn BJJ, with phenomenal coaching, a positive training environment, and friendly people. Coach Shane is extremely proficient and knowledgable in Jiu Jitsu as well as MT and other martial arts. What makes Coach stand out from other instructers is his ability to convey advanced concepts in a way that is easily understandable to beginners. Monster Gym has easily some of the best coaching around and has been a very positive experience. Highly recommend!

Coach Shane is a very talented, knowledgeable instructor with the credentials to properly instruct in multiple martial arts disciplines. My training with him encompasses elements of BJJ, MT/​boxing, and wrestling, due to some specific self-​defense and law enforcement requirements. He is able to thoroughly explain and provide the overall conceptual framework of why we execute techniques in the manner that we do. I have seen and experienced his able coaching from beginners through more advanced instruction, and his knowledge and keen eye for detail continues to amaze me. The dojo environment is exceptionally clean, large and bright, and makes for an inviting place to train in. Whether your goals is for self-​defense, competition, or just because training BJJ is such a great way to live, you need to come check out Monster Gym!

Coach Shane knows the ins and outs of Jiu Jitsu and his skills show it. He also incorporates Judo and Wrestling which makes our game that much better. I can definitely recommend this place as the place to be and learn Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The gym itself is also well done and is a great environment over all. Come check out Monster Gym and you will be glad you did!

I met Kru Shane before I had an interest in Muay Thai. His passion, experience, and approach made me want to give it a shot. After the 1^st class I was eager for a 2^nd. It’s been 2 months now and I’m hooked. No matter what you are looking to get from it, he delivers. If you want to be a fighter, he can get you there. If you just want to get back in shape, he can get you there as well. I’m proud to be part of the Monster Gym family, and I invite you to join us.

Playground Jiu Jitsu Academy is a wonderful place to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Wrestling or Judo for adults and children.
I started training here about 6 months ago knowing absolutely nothing about Jiu Jitsu. In this short period of time I have already grown and learned so much. My intentions were to have a fun new way to get in shape. While making exceptional progress in this area, I absolutely fell in love with every aspect of the sport and it has become a major part of my life.
I ended up with some amazing teammates to help me train everyday and improve. These teammates, however, are so much more than that to me; they are my family. So whether you are looking to get in shape, make new friends, get your kids involved, or just have some fun in a new sport, this is the place to do it. Joining PJJA was one of the best decisions I ever made. Come and see if it could be one of yours too!