Judah Ciervo, Founder

Jiu-Jitsu & Muay Thai Coach

Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu under Balance Studios, Muay-Thai Kru under Ajarns Andy Russell and Sakasem Kanthawong

Judah is the head instructor and technical foundation of The Garden MMA. A lifelong martial artist, he began training in 1997 and developed through decades of disciplined practice, competition, and coaching across Muay Thai, mixed martial arts, and grappling. His path reflects long-term commitment to skill, adaptability, and the reality of learning through doing.

Judah competed for nine years at the amateur level and more than four years as a professional fighter. In 2002, he became a Muay Thai instructor and expanded his training into Sambo and MMA while coaching and competing with the Philadelphia Fight Factory. During this time, he served as a training partner to future MMA standouts including Eddie Alvarez and Zach Makovsky, sharpening his craft in one of the region’s most competitive environments.

Judah made his professional MMA debut in 2008 and his professional Muay Thai debut in 2009, competing both nationally and internationally. His career includes a bout in Cambodia against the 2010 Pradal Serey national champion, reflecting his willingness to test himself across rulesets, cultures, and disciplines. While he no longer competes in Muay Thai or MMA, his approach to training remains rooted in real experience, technical honesty, and respect for the demands of the art.

Today, Judah continues to compete in No-Gi grappling and remains deeply active in his own development. He won the first Finishers Open at 145 lbs in 2018, placed third at the IBJJF No-Gi World Championships as a brown belt in 2021, and was awarded his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in January 2022 by Phil Migliarese and Ricardo Migliarese.

As an instructor, Judah is known for his quiet intensity, technical clarity, and deep respect for the process of learning. He leads the mat with humility and precision, focusing on fundamentals, consistency, and the long view of athletic development. While Keren builds and sustains the systems surrounding the academy, Judah ensures that the training itself remains honest, rigorous, and rooted in real martial experience.

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Keren Fedida, Founder

Jiu-Jitsu Nerd, Operations/Admin

Purple Belt in Jiu-Jitsu, Yoga Instructor, Photographer, Web Admin & Lead Operations

Keren Fedida is the architect behind The Garden MMA. A mother, artist, and photographer, she approaches everything she builds with intention, discipline, and care for long-term growth. She began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in late 2016, drawn to a practice that demanded presence, resilience, and consistency, qualities that continue to shape both her training and her work.

At The Garden MMA, Keren is responsible for creating and sustaining the academy beyond the mat. She oversees operations, systems, design, marketing, technology, finances, and community development, handling every role required to build and run the gym, all while teaching classes and competing in No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu. From securing the space and building the infrastructure to developing workflows, member systems, and public-facing platforms, she has led the creation of the academy from the ground up.

In 2017, Keren became a certified yoga instructor through Dhyana Yoga, deepening her understanding of movement, recovery, and longevity. This perspective informs how the academy is structured and supported, ensuring that training is sustainable and accessible for people at every stage of life.

Keren is also the founder of SkillTrack MMA, a next-generation platform born directly from her experience as an academy owner. The system is designed to help martial arts schools track skill development, manage memberships, and strengthen their communities through clear, athlete-centered tools. Her background in IT, combined with years of experience as a global travel advisor for corporations, government organizations, and Ivy League institutions, brings a rare blend of technical precision, organization, and global perspective to her work.

While Judah leads instruction on the mat, Keren ensures that everything surrounding the training exists, functions, and evolves. Her work is grounded in responsibility, respect for the process, and gratitude for the opportunity to build something meaningful that supports others in their own growth.