Our team.
Jess Gordon - Founder / Lead Educator / Head Instructor
Jess is a BC-certified teacher with a counseling background and over 15 years of experience working with children and youth. She has a Masters degree in Health, Outdoor, and Physical Education from UBC and teaches for the Vancouver School Board. She is passionate about teaching and empowering young people to live safe, confident, and meaningful lives.
“Learning BJJ and self-defense transformed my life. I had always struggled with confidence, but through training, I began to grow into someone more resilient, self-assured, and grounded. I created Arise to share these life-changing benefits — to empower young people physically, mentally, and emotionally through programs that are comprehensive, experiential, and fun.”
Jess has been practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu since 2016 and is certified as a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Women Empowered instructor and as an accredited Empowerment Self-Defense instructor. She is committed to regular fitness and seeks to be a role model for young people as they navigate through childhood and adolescence.
Arise is a culmination of Jess’ experience, education, and heart for people, teaching and Jiu-Jitsu.
Ashley Sindayen - Co-Facilitator / Admin Support
Meet Ashley, a certified trauma-informed mindfulness coach and yoga teacher based in Vancouver, Canada. In addition to her role as a wellness practitioner, Ashley is also a digital creator and runs a home share business with her husband from the comfort of their own home. As an ambassador for BC Women's Foundation and mental health, Ashley is deeply committed to empowering women and children, and is a firm believer in the transformative power of connection and community.
As a mother of three, Ashley has personally witnessed the positive impact that practicing self-defense and promoting social-emotional awareness can have on children's lives. It's this experience that led her to work with Arise Programs and share their mission with other families in her community. Ashley firmly believes that introducing children to the practices of mindfulness and self-awareness is essential for their personal growth and development, and will help shape their future selves.