Analyzing 5,719,3725.7M ReviewsFor 15,71215.7K Experts
Google reviewers rate The MATS Jiu-Jitsu Academy five stars based on seventy-five reviews, noting that the owner responds to ninety-six percent of feedback. Customers frequently praise the clean facility, welcoming atmosphere, and patient instruction for both adults and children. Recurring themes include effective self-defense training, strong community support, and flexible programming that accommodates various skill levels and needs. No common criticisms or low-star patterns are evident in the provided excerpts.
Data from Google, last updated October 28, 2026.
Reviews from Google, shown as published (original wording, unedited).
We read 72 written reviews and marked every phrase about these topics. The same colors are highlighted in the reviews.
“The coaching is patient, precise, and focused on real progress.”
“We are incredibly grateful we found The Mats and would absolutely recommend them to other families, especially those with neurodivergent kids.”
“Great family environment with top notch BJJ instruction by coach James Cardo.”
“The coaches genuinely care about their students, and we’ve seen her grow in confidence, discipline, and perseverance.”
“You'll quickly discover a fantastic community and expert instruction that will make you love the journey as much as I do.”
“Coach Megan explains moves in easy to understand ways.”
“I drive almost 50 minutes just to attend the open mats — that’s how worth it it is.”
praise complaint · found by our text analysis, Google review wording unchanged.
From day one, you learn how to defend yourself with real life scenarios 🔥 great training and preparation for whatever level you are in your education!
I love The Mats and can’t wait to go to class. Coach James teaches everything just right, and I love how I get to learn jujitsu while also having fun❤️🥋. Coach Megan explains moves in easy to understand ways. Written by my 10 yo daughter after starting to train again after a long lay off.
We started our teenage daughter in classes to learn how to protect herself and get some physical activity. It’s turned into so much more. She’s found community and confidence in a way I’ve not seen before. I’m so grateful she’s found something she loves at a place where she is encouraged and pushed to grow. The coaches genuinely care about their students, and we’ve seen her grow in confidence, discipline, and perseverance. We are so thankful for this gym and the positive impact it’s had on her. We couldn’t recommend it more!
Caitlin, this has been really fun to watch. She came in to learn how to protect herself and get some exercise, and somewhere along the way, she decided she genuinely likes jiu-jitsu. That’s about as good as it gets. She’s worked hard and gotten more comfortable on the mats, and you can see the confidence growing with it. We’ll keep encouraging her, pushing her when she needs it, and giving her plenty of room to figure things out for herself. I’m really glad y'all found us. Thank you for the trust.
We have had such a great experience with The Mats. Finding activities that truly meet my son where he is can be difficult, and I cannot say enough about the patience, understanding, and flexibility they have shown him. Jiu-jitsu can be especially valuable for autistic kids because it gives them opportunities to work on body awareness, coordination, confidence, following directions, emotional regulation, and interacting with others in a structured environment. For my son, those benefits only happen when he feels safe and supported, and Mr James understands that. They have never expected him to participate exactly like everyone else or pushed him simply for the sake of compliance. They encourage him, give him space when he needs it, and celebrate progress at his pace. It is not just about learning jiu-jitsu for us. It is another opportunity for him to practice skills, build confidence, experience something new, and be included without having to change who he is to belong. As a parent of an autistic child, finding a place willing to meet your child where they are means everything. We are incredibly grateful we found The Mats and would absolutely recommend them to other families, especially those with neurodivergent kids.
Tiffany, this means a great deal to me. One of the things I believe most strongly, both as a coach and as a clinician, is that meaningful development begins with understanding the individual in front of you. Children do not all learn, process, communicate, or regulate in the same way, and I do not think they should be expected to do so. Your son has never needed to fit into a predetermined mold of what participation is supposed to look like. Our responsibility is to provide enough structure for him to feel secure, enough flexibility for him to engage in a way that is appropriate for him, and enough challenge for him to continue discovering what he is capable of. Progress does not always look the same from one child to the next, and that is perfectly fine. It has been a privilege to get to know him and to watch those small moments of confidence, engagement, and independence accumulate. More than anything, I appreciate the trust you have placed in me and the academy. Every child deserves the opportunity to belong without first being asked to become someone else, and I am very grateful that your family found us.
If you are looking for a solid place to learn / train jiu-jitsu, this is a solid place to do so. Coach James not only has the knowledge and experience one should expect, but his general approach to training is also one that cuts through the BS providing ample opportunity for growth regardless of age and/or skill level! As a father of two young girls, I really appreciate his ability to work with kids to bring out the best in them in a manner that is age appropriate and yet refreshingly direct. As an adult, he's awesome in helping you dig a little deeper and strive to do better. Such a coach also leads to an awesome group of people attending the classes; which adds to the deserved 5 out of 5... highly recommend!
Cory, I’m glad the direct approach has resonated with you. I’ve never believed kids need to be talked around, and I don’t think adults need their training dressed up either. The goal is to meet people where they are, be clear about what they’re capable of, and then give them enough challenge to grow into it. It’s been especially rewarding getting to work with your girls and watching them build confidence in their own way. And with you, I’ve enjoyed being able to push a little harder and dig a little deeper when the moment calls for it. You’ve been a great part of the academy, and I appreciate the trust you’ve put in us with both your training and your family.
Awesome coaches and staff! Coach James is great at encouraging resilience while developing skills. My kids love BJJ! They’ve been proud of their accomplishments and learning to defend themselves gives me peace as a parent.
Christian, watching your kids grow has been a true privilege. They're putting in the work, earning their accomplishments, and growing more confident every step of the way. As a coach, I want every child to become more capable on the mats, but as a parent, I understand exactly what you mean about the peace of mind that comes from knowing your kids can carry themselves with confidence. Thank you for trusting Megan, Oscar, and me to be part of that journey.
Very good class. It teaches a lot of techniques and disciplines My Son love it Coach James is amazing. I would recommend this class for everybody adults and kids.
Rita, your son has been such a joy to have at the academy. I’m glad he’s enjoying his classes and taking pride in what he’s learning. We work hard to make the training useful and disciplined, yet still fun enough that kids want to come back. Thank you for trusting us with him and for recommending the academy to other families.
Great family environment with top notch BJJ instruction by coach James Cardo. A great place to learn and thrive whether you are a beginner or advanced grappler. They even offer extra programs like summer camps , chess club and book club .
Sam, it’s always great to have you around the academy. I appreciate you noticing that we’re trying to build something that goes beyond great jiu-jitsu. The summer camps, chess club, book club, workshops, and everything else we do all come from the same idea: helping people become a little better every time they walk through the doors. Thanks for being part of it and for trusting us with your training.
I've been training at The MATS for a while now, and I couldn't be happier with my experience. Coach James is an exceptional instructor who takes the time to explain techniques clearly, demonstrate them in a way that's easy to understand, and personalize his coaching based on each student's skill level and individual needs. The atmosphere is welcoming, everyone is supportive, and it's obvious that Coach James genuinely cares about helping his students improve. If you're looking for a great place to train BJJ, I highly recommend The MATS.
Jason, I’ve really enjoyed having you at the academy and watching your jiu jitsu continue to sharpen over time. You show up, pay attention, ask good questions, and put in the work. That makes coaching easy. I’m especially glad you mentioned the individual side of teaching. I don’t think good coaching is about giving everyone the same answer; it’s about helping each person understand the problem in a way that makes sense for them. I appreciate the trust, the recommendation, and the way you’ve contributed to the academy since you’ve been here.
Great atmosphere and being trained by Coach James himself. He breaks down techniques with incredible detail, whether you're a complete beginner or a seasoned practitioner. The classes are well-structured, so nobody gets overwhelmed or injured. The coaching is patient, precise, and focused on real progress. The gym is clean, spacious, and has great MATS with plenty of room to roll even on sunday with open session. The teammates are awesome; encouraging, fun to train with, and always ready to help you before, during, and after class. If you're in Keller, NRH, Alliance area, Fort Worth and serious about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (or just want top-tier self-defense and fitness).. Highly recommend—5 stars aren't enough!
Biraj, this was great to read. I’ve enjoyed watching you dive into the details of jiu jitsu and really think through what we’re working on. That curiosity is one of the fastest ways to improve. I'm glad you mentioned the people here as much as the coaching. The academy is only as good as the athletes who show up every day, help each other, and keep their egos in check. I'm proud of what we've built together. Thank you for recommending us to people around Keller, North Richland Hills, Alliance, and Fort Worth. Wherever training takes you next, I hope you find a great room full of good people. You'll always have a place at the academy if life brings you back this way.
Analyzing 5,719,3725.7M ReviewsFor 15,71215.7K Experts