EAE: Never Say Die!


UPDATE 8/10 1:30 PM WE DID IT Y'ALL! We've hit our 10k goal. I've upped the goal to 15k because every thing helps. I am so thankful for each and every one of you. The amount of support and love that has come forth in this past week is amazing. We wouldn't be here without you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. This generosity is going to make sure that our family can stick together. NEVER SAY DIE. DCFL 

UPDATE: 8/5 12:50 We're almost to our 5K goal and the out pouring of support has been incredible. Thank you! It's an honor to be in this position. I love you guys. We're raising the goal because we've always gone above and beyond for each other. Donations, big and small all make a difference. We will be successful as a family because of people like all of you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.


Four Years Ago, when EAE was formed, there were high expectations. However, nobody could have predicted just how amazing it would become. 

We've grown from nothing to more than just something. We've become a family. We've shed literal blood, sweat, and tears together. We've formed unbreakable bonds and friendships that will last a life time.

Sadly, It has been announced that EAE will be closing its doors. This doesn't mean we're done, Never Say Die! We're a family and we're sticking together. 

Derrick Garza is going to spearhead a new venture for us. We don't want to split up, we've come too far together to let this be the end. It's going to take a lot of teamwork, but that's what we're best at. We're looking to secure funds to aid in the opening of a new gym.  We will be moving locations. Currently, the biggest concern is rent and the fees that go along with starting a new business.  

EAE is closing its doors mid-August and those Jiu Jitsu, Kickboxing, and MMA withdraws are real. The goal is to have doors open ASAP. It's important for a family to be together.
                                     Same Soul, New Bones. 

Sinister BJJ is donating a Flow Kimono to the highest donor!
There will be more incentives for donating coming soon. Please stay tuned. 

This gym means a lot to so many people. It's not just a place to workout, it's a second home. Please read below to see what our team means to us and why it's so important we stay together. 


"In the last year and a half of training with Derrick and Toby they have taught me a tremendous amount about martial arts, but more than that they brought me into a family.  When I first moved to Austin I knew but a handful of people and only one person I'd actually call a friend, but that all changed the first time I went to class with Derrick.  Instantly I became part of a family that truly cared for me, not just the results of my competitions but myself as a person.  From the moment I met Derrick and Toby, they have pushed me to meet and surpass any physical and competitive goals I've had.  More so, the experiences I have made in their classes, as well as the countless hours they have spent with me during their free time, have shaped me and improved me as a person in ways I could have never imagined.  I am forever grateful to them for their knowledge, time, experience, compassion, and how they have continuously pushed me to be a better version of myself than the last time they saw me." -Andrew Slater


"Over the last few years, EAE has become family to me. The gym is my second home. Regardless of what's going on in day to day life, I always know I have a place to come to at the end of the day where I feel at peace. Let's keep the east side family going." - Lauren Valdez


"Eastside Austin Elite produces a rare blend of great competitors and great friends. I've trained in gyms all over the world, but EAE is the only place I've been to where nearly everyone in the gym hangs out outside of practice. We're not even a homogeneous group, we're all just a bunch of misfit weirdos that enjoy the activity, and, more importantly, each other's company. I don't want to say good-bye to people I literally trust with my life on a daily basis.
I don't care about losing mats to train on, I care about losing my home away from home and my extended family." - EAE Team Member