Team Elite Bjj Fighter Kristen Debruycker Elite Sports

Kristen Debruycker

Biography

Just like many kids growing up in the 90s I had an affinity for the Power Rangers. I always hoped of growing up to be Tommy. Remember Tommy? The green ranger who was bad and then became the good white ranger. He was awesome. I took my first Tae Kwon Do class at age nine. I never felt nearly as cool as I did then.

Fast-forward 20 years and I have a philosophy degree, did a stint in the wine industry, and have watched too many old Kung Fu films, and I am still doing martial arts. I have competed in Muay Thai, MMA, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I have also trained in JKD, Kali, and Silat. These days I spend my time running the kid’s BJJ and Thai program at Master Pedro Sauer’s headquarters. I am now a brown belt under Master Sauer, a Kru under Ajarn Chai, an Apprentice Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto, a Full Instructor under Guro Bryan Mossey, and a 2nd degree black belt under Master Kreimer.

I still want to be a super hero. But now I help kids and adults become their own super heros. Martial arts are my life and teaching is my passion. I don’t always know everything but I try to approach everything with humility, respect and lots of self-deprecating humor.

Full Name

Kristen Debruycker

Class

Medium Heavy

Weight

158 lbs

Rank

Brown Belt

Height

5’ 8”

Association

Pedro Sauer Team

Connect

Facebook, Instagram

Q&A Session Between Kristen Debruycker and Elite Sports

Question: How often do you train?

Answer: I am on the mat 6 days a week. Between teaching, training and conditioning I try to stay on top of all the different martial arts that I train including BJJ, Muay Thai, Kali and JKD.

Question: What inspires you about BJJ? MMA?

Answer: One word: Truth. The beauty of BJJ is that if it works it’s right, its problem solving with your body. What inspires me about MMA is that I love the blending of the different arts. What works for me may not work for you. I always say now that I study the martial sciences but how I express it is my martial art.

Question: What are your goals for this year? Next 3 years? Next 5 years?

Answer: My goal for this year is to grow the kid’s BJJ and Thai program at Pedro Sauer’s headquarters. The next 3 years I would love to be looking to test for my black belt under Master Sauer. In the next 5 years I hope to spread my love of martial arts through seminars, teaching, my website, YouTube Channel and possibly a podcast as well. My main goal for the future is to travel around and do seminars so that I ay share my love of martial art with others.

Question: Who inspires you, past or present? Why do they inspire you?

Answer: The people that inspire me the most are my instructors, training partners, and students that I have had over the last 20 years. With out them I probably wouldn’t be where I am today. They have all had a huge influence on my life and I wouldn’t be able to do what I love to do everyday without them.

Question: Any major accomplishments you’ve been able to achieve in that time?

Answer: Between all of the different arts that I have trained and competed in, my biggest accomplishment is actually seeing my kid’s that I teach go compete and reach their dreams.

Question: Do you have a go-to finishing move?

Answer: THROAT PUNCH! …Just Kidding. My favorite submission in BJJ is probably the triangle.

Question: How long have you been training?

Answer: I have been training martial arts since I was 9 years old, but I have been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the last 11 years.

Question: What is the meaning of success in your mind?

Answer: Achievement of my life goals and the kids which i train get on top of competition world.

Question: What do you think it takes to be a champion in your sports?

Answer: It takes someone who embraces the grind, who works when no one else is looking. A person who takes what they have and makes the most of the situation and doesn’t let set backs get in their way.

Question: What sort of gear do you usually keep in your gym bag before hitting the gym? Do you have different items for specific days?

Answer: Well of course I have my Elite Sports Gym Bag. I usually have everything with me every day because of all the different martial arts I train. My Elite Sport’s Gi, rash guard, spats, shorts, bag gloves, sparring gear, mouthpiece, sports bra, training blades, sticks, focus mitts, Thai pads, etc.… You get the idea.

Team Elite Fighter Gallery

Discover the warriors behind the name. A visual tribute to the passion, power, and pride of Team Elite.