SBG NORCAL
About
Function Not Fantasy · Since 2003
SBG NorCal has been part of the East Bay martial arts community and a member of Straight Blast Gym International since 2003. We offer training in the most efficient delivery systems of Stand Up, Clinch and Ground. SBG NorCal is organized as a non-profit under Martial Arts Training and Scholarship, a 501.c.3. All our coaches graduate from our year long coach’s course and all are volunteers. We have scholarship programs for Youth & Families offered through Berkeley Unified School District and for Young Adults through the Berkeley Adult School Along with our martial arts and fitness programs we offer free community workshops for everyone. These workshops cover fitness, self defense and wellness. Please check our Community Calendar for updates on upcoming workshops and events. We take great pride in being the place where people of different backgrounds and experiences can get together and help each other become the best versions of themselves on the mat and in their communities.
Meet the Team
Integrations Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Kirk Fong
Kirk has been a dedicated martial artist and coach since 1985. Before joining the SBG NorCal tribe in 2005 he held black belts in Hapkido and Taekwondo. SBG has taught him the value of functional martial arts. He was awarded his BJJ black belt by Coach Lily in 2022.
Integrations Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Fred Yu
Fred practiced martial arts his whole life. Specializing in SanShou Kickboxing and Jiu-Jitsu (Black Belt). He has taught & competed in Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA. Martial arts is a way of life to him and he uses it to positively impact his life and others.
Foundations Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Jose Salinas
Jose began training MMA at SBG NorCal when he was 16 years old and later also worked the front desk. He now teaches Jiu-Jitsu classes and enjoys the community that is brought together from learning martial arts in a safe environment.
Foundations Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Denny Cheriyan
Since 2017, Denny has been a dedicated Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and is now a purple belt coach at SBG NorCal. Initially joining to get fit, Denny found a passion for the sport and the incredible community at SBG NorCal, leading to a journey from student to coach.
Foundations Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Oki O'connor
Matthew "Oki" O’Connor began traditional martial arts training at age 6 and joined SBG NorCal in 2010. With a PhD in Biochemistry, Dr. O'Connor credits his SBG coaching experience with teaching him leadership skills essential to his career in biotech.
Youth Jiu-Jitsu・Coach
Simelia Rogers
Simelia has been part of the SBG community for over a decade, starting at the front desk before moving into coaching. She is passionate about empowering students to develop confidence and resilience, helping them to overcome life’s challenges both on and off the mats.
Integrations Kickboxing・Coach
Kyle Fong-Cristin
Raised in a martial arts family, Kyle grew up training in Hapkido and Wrestling. At the age of 13 he joined SBG NorCal to pursue his interest in MMA and Kickboxing. As an adult, Kyle enjoys training with a focus in grappling/Jiu-Jitsu & MMA and teaching classes at SBG.
Foundations Kickboxing・Coach
Cameron Avery
Cameron has been with SBG since 2021 and he has been coaching Kickboxing since early 2023. Learning to coach has not only helped him on the mats, but off the mats as well. He credits SBG for his leadership qualities, humility and work ethic.
SBG NorCal is a member of Straight Blast Gym International and was formed by Lily & Alan Pagle in 2002. Our philosophy is based on our firm conviction that learning and growth – both physical and mental – can take place at any age or from any starting point. All that is required is good coaching and a supportive environment where you can learn skills and enjoy training. That’s what we provide and that makes consistency on your part easy! We’re ready to help you reach your training goals.
Head Coach
Lily Pagle
Lily Pagle is SBG NorCal's co-founder and Head Coach. A life-long athlete, Lily has over 25 years of experience in martial arts. She holds a 3rd degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a second degree black belt in Judo.
Head Coach
Alan Pagle
Alan Page has been training and teaching martial arts since 1973. While his background includes black belts in traditional martial arts his collegiate boxing and earning his 2nd degree black belt in Judo are the biggest influences on his own training and coaching style.