INSTRUCTORS
ASHLEY FERRARA
Owner | Co-Founder | Head Instructor
Ashley Ferrara is the owner and head instructor at Sanders Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, a dedicated black belt and competitor with over a decade of experience in Jiu-Jitsu and a strong commitment to the growth of every student who steps on the mats.
Ashley was the Academy’s first female black belt, promoted under the late Professor John Sanders, who played a pivotal role in her development. She honors his influence while confidently leading the Academy into its next chapter. Although many new students may never meet Professor John, the foundation he helped build remains part of the Academy’s history, and Ashley continues to carry forward the standard of excellence he believed in through her own voice, experience, and leadership.
Today, Ashley continues her advanced training under the guidance of Professor Rodrigo Mendeiros, a black belt under Carlson Gracie Sr. She travels back to the West Coast throughout the year to refine her technique and bring back knowledge from Pacific Beach Fight Center, Professor Mendeiros’ highly respected and widely recognized academy known for producing skilled competitors and high level instruction. This ongoing mentorship ensures the Academy stays connected to evolving technique and the standards of top tier Jiu-Jitsu.
Ashley is known for her supportive, detail driven coaching style and her commitment to maintaining a high standard of instruction, creating an environment where students feel welcomed, capable, and motivated to grow.
Under her leadership, Sanders Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy continues to be a place where people of all levels can learn, connect, and strive to become their best on and off the mats.
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EVAN FAVORITE
Brown Belt | Wrestling Specialist | Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Coach Evan brings a wealth of experience and energy to the mats at our Academy. He began wrestling at age 11 and went on to become a two-time New Hampshire State Champion and New England Champion, later competing on the national stage in Columbus, Ohio. His journey continued under the guidance of University of New Hampshire Head Wrestling Coach and two-time national Judo champion, David Butler.
After college, Evan expanded his martial arts background by training in Muay Thai and shootfighting under Kru Guy Chase. In 2013, he began his Jiu-Jitsu journey under Professor John Sanders and now proudly holds the rank of brown belt.
Professionally, Evan has dedicated over 20 years to law enforcement, with 15 years of service on a SWAT team—bringing discipline, focus, and composure to everything he does.
On the mats, Coach Evan is known for his sharp wrestling, his sarcastic sense of humor, and a motivating, upbeat coaching style that meets each student where they are. He focuses on helping individuals build their own Jiu-Jitsu—step by step, at their own pace.
In Memoriam
JOHN SANDERS
Co-Founder | Head Instructor (In Memoriam 2025)
Professor John Sanders was a 4th-degree black belt under Rodrigo Medeiros, who earned his black belt from Carlson Gracie Sr. With over 20 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience and more than a decade of teaching, John earned a reputation as one of the most respected and technical instructors in the region.
His Jiu-Jitsu journey began in 1998 at the Pacific Beach Fight Center in San Diego, and he later became a competitive member of the BJJ Revolution Team on the West Coast before relocating to the Northeast. Known for his precise, detail-oriented style, John had a deep technical game with a particular emphasis on leg locks—a specialty that became a signature part of his teaching.
John co-founded Sanders Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy alongside Ashley Ferrara, where together they built a school grounded in discipline, community, and a true love for the art. Over six years of training directly under John, Ashley not only learned from him as a student—she absorbed his style, his systems, and the details that defined his game. His knowledge, especially his technical depth and leg lock system, continues to be taught through her.
Now head instructor of the Academy, Ashley carries John’s instruction forward with pride and purpose. Every class is shaped by the principles he instilled in her. While John may no longer be with us physically, his presence lives on through the techniques, the lessons, and the standard he set—passed down directly to the next generation through her.
His legacy continues in every roll, every student, and every lesson shared on these mats.