Meet Vilanova BJJ Instructor Professor Liz Exell
Professor Liz Exell is a first-degree black belt and one of the lead Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructors at Vilanova BJJ in Camarillo. With over a decade of experience, she blends high-level technique with a calm, supportive coaching style for beginners and advanced students alike.
A Life Shaped by Service and Resilience
Early in life, Professor Liz was adopted into a Navy family. Because of that, she moved often while growing up. At the same time, she stayed close to the ocean, which became a constant in her life.
Professional Background: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
In addition to martial arts, she has spent more than 20 years serving the community as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Over the years, she has worked in residential treatment, intensive foster care, psychiatric hospitals, sexual assault crisis advocacy, disaster response teams, and county behavioral health.
More specifically, she is skilled at supporting foster and adoptive families, trauma survivors, immigrant families, and at-risk youth. As a result, she brings a steady, people-first approach into every class she teaches.
Professional Background: Licensed Clinical Social Worker
Meanwhile, under the mentorship of Professor Beto Vilanova, she earned her black belt in 2018. From there, she continued to grow as a competitor and coach.
Competition Highlights
Most notably, Professor Liz has won three No-Gi world championship titles. In addition, she has performed at the highest level in gi competition—winning the Pan American and Masters World Championship titles in 2023.
Full-Time Jiu-Jitsu Leader at Vilanova BJJ
Then, in January 2022, she left her county position to focus on Jiu-Jitsu full-time. Since then, she has thrived as an instructor, competitor, coach, and referee.
Today, she lives in Ventura and continues to lead within the Vilanova BJJ community. Ultimately, her goal is to help students build confidence, resilience, and skill through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu—on and off the mats.
PROFESSOR / MUAY THAI COACH
Robson Rezende
FOUNDER/DIRECTOR
Beto Vilanova
PROFESSOR
Talita Nogueira Rezende
PROFESSOR
