MISSION
To create a studio where people can grow and evolve together as a community.
Brendon Baca
CEO, Dark Haven Studio & Head Youth Instructor
Brendon has dreamed of a space for people to grow and evolve together as a community since he began rock climbing over 10 years ago. He has led experiential education programming for over 3 years with at-risk youth in New Mexico with the Santa Fe Mountain Center. The past 3 years Brendon has worked for the Santa Fe Public Schools, coordinating a student wellness program for both middle and high school students. He began the study of jiu jitsu in October 2016, and was quickly absorbed by the infinite possibilities it provided.
"Know the Way broadly and you will see it in everything." -Miyamoto Musashi
Cody Smith
Head Instructor
Those who have had the opportunity to train with and learn from Cody know that he is an incredible grappler, passionate teacher, and wholeheartedly devoted to the art of jiu jitsu. Cody will be leading our Advanced No Gi classes and sharing the role of teaching and developing the curriculum for the Fundamental Jiu Jitsu classes with Brendon. Here’s to endless hours of country music ahead . . .
Jose Barraza
Assistant Head Instructor
I started training at 29 years old after learning I was going to have a son I needed to set an example for. At the time, I was overweight and unhealthy. Not knowing what to do I saw my brother win his first Jiu Jitsu tournament and I was convinced. I really just love training and rolling. I also wholeheartedly believe in the power of Jiu Jitsu as a tool to change lives. As an instructor I feel it's my obligation to provide people with confidence and a sense of belonging. Jiu Jitsu changed me and I will tirelessly help anyone who walks through the doors to find the confidence and power within themselves.
Cullen McDonald
Head Wrestling Instructor
Cullen’s has been wrestling since he was five years old and has over 10+ years of no-gi jiu jitsu. His ability to wrestle from the feet and scramble is going to help to blend the worlds between wrestling and jiu jitsu. This is a new avenue for our studio, and we couldn’t be more excited to dive deep into the world of wrestling with Cullen.
Simon Otero
Strength & Conditioning Coach
Simon Otero is a Strength & Conditioning (S&C) Coach and former powerlifter. Simon is a deadlift specialist with multiple 700+ pound pulls under his belt.
He gained notoriety within the strength world through coaching and programming for some of the most well-known names in YouTube fitness including Christian Guzman, Owner/Founder Alphalete; Bart Kwan of Barbell Brigade; and Maxx Chewning, Owner/Founder of Ever Forward & Sour Strips. Simon has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to program and coach all levels from elite lifters to those who are at the beginning of their S&C journey.
While Simon has a powerlifting background, he is well-versed in all avenues of S&C. Since 2020, he has been training multiple people from Dark Haven Studio and focusing on the adaptation of S&C into one’s jiu jitsu and martial arts journey for injury prevention, longevity, and enhanced performance on the mats.