Dan Strauss, an accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor, holds titles like ADCC and NAGA European Champion. A Polaris, EBI, and ADCC veteran, he is also the host of the Raspberry Ape Podcast, where he explores grappling and training insights. Known for his unique grip strength training, Dan teaches worldwide.

Instagram: @raspberry_ape

Ross Nicholls, Head Instructor at London Grapple BJJ, is a decorated competitor with titles including ADCC European Trials Champion and IBJJF British No-Gi National Champion. Known for notable victories over top grapplers, Ross brings extensive competition experience and technical expertise to his students at London Grapple.

Instagram: @rossnichollsbjj

Natalie Day, from Oxford, England, is the UK’s first woman to independently own and run a jiu-jitsu academy, GROW JIU JITSU. A black belt under Mauricio Gomes and current European Champion, she also founded GROW EVENTS and offers the UK’s first jiu-jitsu apprenticeship program for aspiring professionals.

Website: growjiujitsu.com

Instagram: @growjiujitsu, @growevents

Joe Notebaert, founder of the Mallorca BJJ and Yoga Festival and head instructor at Mallorca BJJ, leads the festival’s complete beginner BJJ classes, offering newcomers a structured introduction to the sport. A black belt under Cesar Lima, Joe blends his BJJ expertise with his event planning skills to create a unique festival experience.

Website: www.mallorcabjj.com

Jon Thomas, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and instructor, trained under Romero Cavalcanti and Lucas Lepri. Known for his technical expertise and Toreando Pass, he has won numerous IBJJF titles, including World and Pan Championships. Jon currently coaches at Valhalla Jiu-Jitsu in Sweden.

Instagram: @jonthomasbjj

Cameron Shayne, founder of Budokon University, pioneered the integration of martial arts, yoga, and mobility into a unified movement system. His innovative classes blend jiu jitsu, yoga, and calisthenics, promoting strength, flexibility, and mental clarity. 

Instagram: @cameronshayne, @budokonuniversity

IRIS DAY

Iris’s Jiu Jitsu journey began at the tender age of 6. She began assisting in classes aged 8. Iris now teaches & trains full time at Grow Jiu Jitsu in the UK. Iris is ibjjf London international absolute champion. She is also the current Enyo & Grapple worlds super fight champion. Her passion is sharing her knowledge & helping people to be the best they can be in the sport.

ANDREJ TASEV

Andrej arrived in the UK from Macedonia aged 10 & began his Jiu Jitsu journey straight away. He currently teaches & trains full time out of Grow Jiu Jitsu UK.

Andrej is ibjjf London international weight & absolute champion. He is also 2 x Grapple fest champ. He is committed to having a positive impact on people’s lives through Jiu Jitsu.

Tarik Hopstock, who recently won the adult middle weight NOGI Gold Medal at the Wolrds, is a Norwegian grappler and a black belt in jiu-jitsu under Eduardo Rios (Teta), who represents the Scandinavian team Frontline in the sport’s global circuit. Hopstock made a name for himself as one of the leading competitors of Europe during his colored belt career, a reputation earned after his numerous medals on the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) league, particularly the podium placements at the World, World No-Gi, and European Championships. Tarik Hopstock is also widely recognized as the creator of the Tarikoplata, a submission he introduced to the BJJ world as a blue belt.

Tarik Hopstock Jiu-Jitsu

Full Name: Tarik Hopstock

Nickname: N/A

Lineage: Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlson Gracie > Ricardo Libório > Eduardo Rios > Tarik Hopstock

Main Achievements: 1st Place NOGI Worlds (2025)

2nd Place Copa Podio 77KG Grand Prix (2019)

3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2022)

Main Achievements (Colored Belts):

1st Place IBJJF European Open (2014 / 2015 blue, 2017 purple, 2018 brown)

1st Place IBJJF European Open (2015** blue, 2017** purple, 2018 brown

2nd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2015 / 2016* purple)

2nd Place IBJJF European Open (2020* brown)

3rd Place IBJJF European Open (2015* blue, 2016** purple, 2018* / 2019** / 2020* brown)

3rd Place IBJJF World Championship (2016 / 2017** purple, 2018 / 2019 brown)

3rd Place IBJJF World Championship NOGI (2016 purple)

Favorite Position / Technique: Straight ankle lock

Weight Division: Peso Médio (82,30 kg / 181.5 lbs)

Team/Association: Frontline

Tarik Hopstock Biography

Tarik Hopstock was born on May 10, 1996, in Oslo, Norway.

Tarik’s first attempt at martial arts came through judo, an activity he practiced during his tweens at a local club. Although the experience was highly positive, his gym only offered one (1) judo class per week, a scarce schedule that did not satiate Hopstock’s training needs. While looking for another workgroup that offered a busier timetable, Tarik was invited by a friend to come and visit the Frontline Academy, an offer accepted by the young Norwegian.

At the Frontline Academy, Tarik discovered jiu-jitsu and met the team’s leader, Eduardo Rios (Teta) – one of the most charismatic and knowledgeable coaches on the European Continent – whose relationship with Hopstock is often mentioned by Tarik as a deciding factor in his sporting success.

As a juvenile athlete, Tarik started showing signs of his potential in the local circuit. Noticing Hopstock’s qualities, coach Rios pushed his student to attend the adult classes, a decision that helped Tarik’s growth tremendously. It was also the added hardship of practicing with his adult teammates that helped Hopstock develop one of his most celebrated creations – the Tarikoplata – a modified shoulder lock (check more details about this position here).

In an interview given to BJJ Heroes back in September 2020, Tarik Hopstock said of the Tarikoplata‘s inception:

“It started with how I struggled to pull people’s arms out from the top kimura position. This was around 2014. So, one day after class I was trying to solve the problem with some of my teammates. A lot of the times I would try to almost deadlift the arm out or just go back to the D’Arce choke. My thought was that there had to be some technical way to advance with attacking the arm. After some trial and error I ended up passing the leg over my partner’s hip line, but we were all skeptical about the move at the time. We thought it was too risky turning your back to the opponent. Later I started to recognize the position for the bottom and had successfully applied it to my game. We didn’t even call it Tarikoplata until I had gotten it numerous times in competitions.”

The talent displayed during his juvenile grappling career only improved as Tarik moved on to the adult division. After numerous medals in the sport’s top events, and wins over many high-level competitors, Hopstock was promoted to black belt by his long-time instructor, Eduardo Rios, in a ceremony that took place on December 05, 2021.

Melayne Shayne, leader of the Budokon Yoga Program, blends yoga, martial arts, and self-reflection to inspire personal growth. As founder of the Warrior Women Tribe, she empowers women worldwide through movement, retreats, and workshops, fostering connection and transformation in a supportive, co-creative space.

Instagram: @themelayneshayne, @budokonuniversity

Jelena Lieberberg, a Berlin-based yoga instructor and naturopath, is known for her dynamic KICK ASS YOGA style. A former TV presenter, she has led workshops across Europe and authored books on yoga and mobility. Jelena combines holistic therapies with yoga to support yogis, athletes, and movers.

Instagram: @jelenalieberberg

Helena Rosenthal, a dedicated Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher since 2008, earned level 2 authorization from Sharath Jois. She has led programs in São Paulo, London, and now Mallorca. Helena blends her yoga teaching with a passion for music, particularly through Kirtans. Her approach fosters deep self-connection and mindfulness.

Website: www.helenarosenthal.com

Instagram: @helena_rosenthal

Angela Selivanova, a yoga instructor from Latvia, has taught since 2010, currently based at Bodhana Yoga Studio in Mallorca. Trained under Paul Dallaghan, R. Sharath Jois, and Vinay Kumar, Angela integrates yoga’s science and spirituality for holistic well-being. She leads advanced Vinyasa, philosophy, Pranayama, and meditation classes.

Websites: www.samahitaretreat.com, sharathjois.com, sthalam8.com, pranavashya.com

Chris has been teaching Yoga since 2018 after completing a 200-hour training, specializing in Yoga for Athletes and Men. A BJJ purple belt, he integrates Yoga into Combat Sports to enhance performance, resilience, and health. As a physiotherapist and coach, he has trained amateurs and pros, tailoring programs to their needs. In 2021, he founded Evolve Now Yoga to help others elevate their athletic and mental potential.

Instagram: @evolvenow.yoga

Joshua Marin-Hepfl, a certified yoga instructor and Southern California native, began exploring movement through competitive skateboarding. A Yoga practitioner since 2002, he has taught Promayoga™ Vinyasa and AcroFlow® since 2008 in the U.S. and internationally. Now based in Mallorca, he leads classes, workshops, and runs Studio Invert, inspiring students to realize their full potential.

Website:JoshuaYoga.com

Instagram:@joshua.yoga.pole | @studio.invert.official

Carmen Jaguar is a spiritual guide specializing in emotional liberation and reconnection with the body’s natural flow. With a background in coaching and ancestral medicines, she helps others expand consciousness through deep listening and presence. Alongside her partner Bruno, she offers Bufo Alvarius and Kambo sessions at a private villa during the festival, with Q&A sessions held on-site.

Instagram: @carmenjaguar

Daniel Vivas, an arm wrestling coach and bronze medalist at the Arnold Classic in Madrid, will lead two seminars at the festival, plus “beat the champ” challenges for attendees. Based in Mallorca, Daniel is also a National Police helicopter pilot. Two arm wrestling tables will be available throughout the festival.

Instagram: @daniel_armpower

Luke Wills, raised in Mallorca, is a certified instructor in the Wim Hof Method, Oxygen Advantage, and Art of Breath. His global journey includes diving, Thai boxing, and winter ascents, teaching that mind-body mastery unlocks our full potential. Luke’s sessions focus on breathwork, movement, and reconnecting with nature.

Instagram: @lukemallorca

Fiona, an international cacao medicine guide and energy healer, leads cacao ceremonies for self-discovery and inner healing. Her sessions combine cacao with meditation, breathwork, and intuitive movement, creating a space for reconnecting with empathy and emotions. Originally from Australia, Fiona now resides in Barcelona.

Instagram: @thrivingessence

Bruno Maroto is a heart-centered facilitator and Kambô practitioner with over a decade of experience guiding transformative healing journeys. Drawing from Amazonian wisdom and global traditions, he offers spiritual coaching, retreats, and Kambô ceremonies that reconnect individuals to their inner truth and the source of life—love.

Instagram: @divineibruno

Anne-Christin is an Embodiment Coach specializing in body movement, intuitive dance, mindfulness, and Reiki to guide personal transformation. Her workshops help clients reconnect with their bodies, unlock intuition, and shift limiting beliefs. Based in Mallorca, she offers online and in-person coaching to promote daily joy and balanced living.

Website: www.thebeautyofnow.net

Instagram: @the.beauty.of.now

Vladimir Semenčić, co-founder of the Croatian Summer Salsa Festival, brings his passion for salsa and bachata to the festival this Spring. Since 2005, he and his wife Daniela have created dance events that attract thousands globally, blending dance education with cultural connection. Vladimir’s mission centers on building community through movement.

Instagram:@croatiansummersalsafestival

Julian Chapman is a freedive instructor and full-time geologist with a passion for breath-hold diving. With over 20 years of experience, he specializes in safe and enjoyable freediving, from line-diving to spearfishing and cave exploration. Before your first in-water dive, attending an intro briefing is required. Three dive sessions run daily, each with four divers on our apnea raft. Be sure to complete the necessary briefing and booking form before joining.

Instagram: @sea.people.mallorca