New jiu jitsu studio opens

by Dan Holland

For Travis Anderson, owner and head instructor at Watermark Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, located at 6650 W. Snowville Rd., Suite E, his first experience with the martial art 15 years ago developed a lifelong enthusiasm for the discipline.
“I was eating breakfast at a deli in Westlake and looked across the street, and there was a jiu jitsu school,” said Anderson, who also has a black belt in karate. “So, I went to a class and got completely dominated by a purple belt, but it was the experience I was looking for. To me, it almost seemed like a magic trick, and I wanted to know how he did that.”

Anderson later joined Hurricane Jiu Jitsu in Cleveland’s West Park neighborhood, where he trained and taught for many years. During those years, he also made trips to Brazil to train with some of the world’s top practitioners of the martial art.

In early 2024, Anderson decided he either wanted to invest in his current club or begin his own studio.

“I talked to my coach in early 2024 and said that I wanted to buy into the business, but there wasn’t a lot more opportunity to grow with there,” explained Anderson. “I was one of five coaches there, and I decided that it was time for me to step out on my own.”

A soft opening was held Jan. 18 at the brand-new 3,600-square-foot business, which contains 1,750 square feet of training mats with a spring-loaded floor beneath. The facility also includes changing rooms, showers and restrooms.

The name “Watermark” ties back into his former club, Anderson explained. “The school I came from, where I got my black belt in jiu jitsu, was called Hurricane,” he said. “So, it’s a little play on words in that it left a big mark on me. Also, a watermark is a symbol of authenticity they put on money. With jiu jitsu, it is a very specific style of movement, and you can’t mistake it for another discipline. It’s a very specific way of fighting, and you can’t fake it.”

The top three benefits of training in jiu jitsu include learning self-defense skills, fitness/weight loss and self-confidence/self-esteem, said Anderson, who competes in tournaments around the country.

“It’s the best and most reliable form of self-defense, and it’s a journey you can go on for decades,” said Anderson, who lives in Lakewood with his wife, Natalia, and their two young daughters.

The discipline is known for building a supportive and tight-knit community, Anderson added. “Jiu Jitsu people are generally very nice; there’s not a big ‘tough guy’ vibe to it,” he said. “And because there are so many different levels, you can have professional MMA fighters in this room along with business professionals, students and soccer moms all at the same time. It’s a very diverse cross-section of the population, and it’s for all ages.”

A free, one-week trial membership is available to new visitors. Monthly memberships are available with no contract required.

“We cater to the student’s level 100%,” said Anderson. “You can get very good training with all skill levels here. A common theme of jiu jitsu is that everyone trains together at all different levels.”For information, visit watermarkjiujitsu.com.

Photo caption: Watermark Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Owner Travis Anderson said the benefits of the sport include self-defense skills, fitness/ weight loss and self-confidence/self-esteem. Photo by Dan Holland.