After moving to Alexandria, VA, founder Jeremy Lafreniere was encouraged by his coaches to form a club for practicing Jiu-Jitsu. After much deliberation Capital was founded at Cora Kelly Magnet School in 2001 where Jeremy was a 4th grade teacher.

Each evening the school’s art room was turned a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training center. Jeremy would set up by pushing chairs and tables aside — crayons spilling onto the floor — and connecting old mats trucked in from the gymnasium. Once mats were down, Jeremy taught a few of his friends the self-defense, grappling, throwing, and striking techniques he had learned from the Gracie family.

Jeremy broke from the practices of traditional martial arts schools, which charge for belt tests and other perks, and instead focused on creating an atmosphere where people would, “…experience peace of mind, become good friends, and feel safe….” The elementary school art room was that safe place.

Before long Jeremy’s club became an official chapter of the original Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Association, and Royce Gracie began making regular visits. During that time the school moved to a garage, another elementary school, and the wrestling room at T.C. Williams High School.

By 2003 Capital’s reputation and ranks had grown to such an extent that its own location was imperative. Jeremy then moved the school to the second floor of the Jungle’s Gym health club in Old Town Alexandria.

The successful momentum increased, and in 2008 Capital opened its first advanced training academy in Loudoun County, VA. The Old Town Alexandria location was moved to another advanced training academy in 2010 on Route 1 in Alexandria, VA. Each of these 10,000 square feet academies feature expansive mats, an elevated boxing ring, a fully outfitted CrossFit box, free parking, showers, and much more.

Since then Capital has added four additional Washington D.C. metropolitan area locations in Takoma Park, MD, Lorton Station, VA, Fairfax, VA, and Burke, VA.