Our Story

In late 2016, PJ Barch was afforded the opportunity to help grow his own Jiu Jitsu program by long time friend and coach Richie “Boogeyman” Martinez. At the age of 26, with little experience in coaching but a thirst for excellence and growth, PJ began the formation of 10th Planet Spring valley. If you asked PJ he'd tell you, “I didn't know what I was doing at the time, but I promised to do my best and figure it out along the way”.

Over the next 4 years, a formidable team of hundreds of students was created. The team was strengthened even more when Eddie Bravo black belt Dawna Gonzales joined Spring Valley in 2020. However, despite the successes of the gym, in early 2021 unforeseen circumstances led to PJ having to leave and the full dismemberment of 10th Planet Spring Valley.

At this moment if you asked PJ what was next, and trust me many of his long-time students did, he would have replied “I don't know what I'm doing, but I promise you I'm going to figure it out.”

Within 2 months, the money was raised, the logistics were hammered out, and a lease agreement on a new space in Chula Vista was signed. In the meantime, a long time student of PJ, Daniel Melendez offered up his property to allow the students to still train as a team.

The students banded together and got all their collective mats together to create an outdoor dojo capable of accommodating some 25+ students at a time. Unfortunately, the construction at the new gym location turned out to be much more time consuming than originally anticipated. So for the next 6-7 months, despite being a world class competitor and instructor, PJ taught the students for free in a backyard.

As time progressed and the construction didn't, the backyard gym phase had to come to a close. PJ subsequently began to sublet space at a boxing gym in Bonita, this was closer to his future gym location and it had a roof, lights, and temperature control for his students - a notable upgrade from being outside. And so began the next chapter, and the migration of PJ and his band of jiu jitsu ronin.

Mats were procured for the boxing space and PJ began teaching his students there. After some time, it was no longer feasible to sublet this space. PJ contacted his old friend JJ at Alliance in La Mesa, and JJ told him he would love to host his team. The very next day the team was alerted that they had to move again. In under six months the team was uprooted from Bonita and transplanted to La Mesa as they followed PJ.

Fast forward to the present day, and PJ and his team are finally settled in their new home. After a long and arduous journey, 10th Planet South Bay was born. The gym is a testament to the perseverance and resilience of PJ and his students, who weathered every obstacle and challenge thrown their way. The new gym is a state-of-the-art facility that boasts top-of-the-line equipment and amenities. But more importantly, it's a place where the 10th Planet family can come together and continue to grow and learn under PJ's expert guidance. Looking back, PJ can hardly believe how far they've come, but he knows that the journey has only just begun. The future is bright for 10th Planet South Bay, and PJ and his students are excited to see where it takes them next.