THE SOCA BJJ SAN DIEGO
Alexandre Soca
11x World Champion
Our Mission
To promote health, well-being, self-confidence, and mental toughness through the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
This mission faithfully represents the Soca Academy’s commitment to making the gentle art accessible to thousands of people around the world. Master Alexandre Soca and his team of coaches spare no effort in building academies where anyone, from the complete beginner to the aspiring professional athlete, can pursue their goals on the mats.
Alexandre Soca has long believed in Jiu-Jitsu as a powerful tool for personal development: a practice where, beyond technique, people find a welcoming environment in which everyone can improve a little every day. More than forming athletes, we form better citizens.
Our Story
Serving Rancho Bernardo since 2018
Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu San Diego opened its doors in 2018 and has since grown into one of the leading Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu schools serving Rancho Bernardo and the North County San Diego communities.
A family-owned academy, we offer structured Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai programs for children, adults, families, homeschool students, and adaptive athletes, as well as private instruction, serving a diverse and continually growing student community.
Every program follows the internationally recognized Soca Jiu-Jitsu methodology, preserving the values and traditions established by Master Alexandre “Soca” Freitas while delivering a safe, structured, and welcoming learning environment for students of all ages and experience levels.
Meet the Owners
A family academy, led by family
The academy is owned and operated by husband and wife Bruno Rodrigues Albuquerque and Lika Herrlein, whose complementary leadership has been instrumental in the academy’s continued growth: Bruno leads the mats, and Lika drives the business.
Bruno Rodrigues Albuquerque
Co-Owner, Head Instructor & Technical Director
Bruno serves as the academy’s Head Instructor and Technical Director. A 4th Degree Black Belt under Master Alexandre “Soca” Freitas, he has dedicated more than two decades to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and has built a reputation for technical excellence and student development.
Bruno is responsible for all instructional operations, including curriculum implementation, instructor development, coaching standards, student progression, and quality control. He mentors the academy’s coaching staff and continuously refines the curriculum to deliver world-class martial arts education, always ensuring that every class remains true to the Soca Jiu-Jitsu methodology and the values it represents.
Lika Herrlein
Chief Executive Officer & Managing Member
Lika is responsible for the strategic leadership and overall management of Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu San Diego. Drawing on her entrepreneurial experience and professional background in psychology, she oversees every aspect of the academy’s business operations.
Lika also leads the academy’s branding, marketing, and community outreach. Attentive to the needs of local families, she has introduced and expanded programs such as:
- Tiny Grapplers (Parent & Me) classes
- Homeschool programs
- Adaptive martial arts instruction
- Women’s self-defense workshops
- Seasonal camps and private training programs
These family-focused programs distinguish the academy within the local market, and Lika continues to develop new initiatives designed to improve the student experience and support the academy’s long-term growth.
How We Operate
Business discipline, martial arts heart
Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu San Diego operates through a well-defined management structure that pairs professional business leadership with technical excellence. Lika oversees the strategic, administrative, financial, and operational functions of the company, while Bruno leads all instructional and technical operations on the mats.
This partnership ensures that the academy runs with the discipline of a professional business and the heart of a martial arts family, so that every student who walks through our doors receives an exceptional experience, on and off the mats.
Come Train With Us
Your first class is the beginning of a journey
Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, competition, or personal growth, there is a place for you at Soca Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu San Diego. Visit us in Rancho Bernardo and experience the gentle art for yourself.