Tracey Goodell

Born on February 18, 1988, and raised on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii, Tracey Goodell grew up with the beach as her playground and sport as her constant companion. From an early age, she pursued a wide range of physical activities, developing the athleticism and competitive instincts that would later define her on the grappling mats. Soccer emerged as her primary discipline, and Goodell competed at a high level from elementary school through college. That long-term commitment to a demanding team sport built the work ethic, body awareness, and competitive temperament that would become hallmarks of her martial arts career.

In 2006, at the age of 16, Tracey Goodell stepped onto the jiu-jitsu mats for the first time under coaches Kai Garcia and a practitioner known as 'Marcelo' on O'ahu. What began as casual exploration deepened during a pivotal period when Goodell relocated to the island of Guam. That time away from Hawaii prompted a serious reassessment of her priorities, and she returned with a clear resolve to pursue jiu-jitsu at the highest level.

That resolve led to one of the most consequential decisions of her athletic life: relocating to America's East Coast to train under Lloyd Irvin at Team Lloyd Irvin. The move placed her inside one of the most competitive and structured training environments in the sport, laying the foundation for a decorated colored belt career.

Goodell's time with Team Lloyd Irvin transformed her into one of the most formidable colored belt competitors on the IBJJF circuit. An early signal of her potential came with gold at the IBJJF Asian Open in 2008 at blue belt, announcing her arrival as a serious contender from an unlikely corner of the competitive landscape.

It was 2010, however, that cemented her reputation entirely. Goodell delivered one of the most complete single-season performances in women's colored belt competition, claiming gold at the IBJJF World Championship at purple belt, the IBJJF Pan Championship at blue belt, and the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals at blue belt. She swept double gold at two of those three marquee events, leaving little doubt about her dominance across the division. The jiu-jitsu community took notice, branding her the "Colored Belt to Beat" — a distinction that reflected both her technical excellence and remarkable consistency on the international stage.

Following her extraordinary 2010 campaign, Goodell stepped away from competition in 2011 to return to Honolulu, where she gave birth to her first child. Rather than withdrawing from the sport, she channeled her energy into re-establishing her roots on O'ahu and contributing to the local jiu-jitsu community. Alongside notable grappling instructor Mike Fowler, she co-founded the North Shore Jiu-Jitsu Club, creating a training home for practitioners across the island and reinforcing her identity as both competitor and builder of jiu-jitsu culture in Hawaii.

In January 2013, Mike Fowler awarded Goodell her black belt — a promotion that carried historic weight. She became the first female jiu-jitsu black belt from the state of Hawaii, a milestone that extended far beyond personal achievement to mark a turning point in the visibility of women's grappling across the Pacific region.

Goodell's transition to black belt competition proved that her drive had endured through years of family life and community building. In 2013, she earned third place at the IBJJF World Championship in her black belt debut on the sport's most prestigious stage — a strong opening statement at the new rank.

Her development as a black belt competitor continued steadily. In 2018, she claimed third place at the IBJJF Masters World Championship before reaching new heights in 2019, advancing to the final of that same event and finishing as runner-up. Also in 2019, Goodell captured the Fight 2 Win 125 lbs championship, adding a professional grappling title to her résumé and affirming her relevance on the modern competitive circuit. Throughout her black belt career, she has competed in the Peso Leve division, corresponding to a weight limit of 64 kg (141.5 lbs).

Alongside her competitive pursuits, Tracey Goodell built a respected reputation as a grappling instructor on O'ahu, becoming one of the most recognized coaches in the Hawaiian jiu-jitsu community. She channeled that passion for teaching into a new organizational endeavor, partnering with Jordan Gomez — a black belt under the lineage of Aldo Caveirinha — to co-found Free World Jiu-Jitsu in the Honolulu region.

The team became her primary affiliation and a platform for expanding quality jiu-jitsu instruction across the island. Through Free World Jiu-Jitsu, Goodell maintains an active dual role as both competitor and educator, embodying a commitment to the sport that extends well beyond her own athletic performance.

Tracey Goodell's place in the history of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Hawaii rests on a foundation of firsts, titles, and sustained service to the sport. As the first female jiu-jitsu black belt from the state of Hawaii, she holds a distinction no one else can claim — one that represents a landmark shift in the visibility of women's grappling across the Pacific region.

Her IBJJF titles at colored belt drew attention to Hawaiian athletes on the international stage during a period of rapid growth for the sport. Through the North Shore Jiu-Jitsu Club and Free World Jiu-Jitsu, she contributed directly to the infrastructure of jiu-jitsu on O'ahu, ensuring that future generations of practitioners have access to quality instruction and competitive culture. For female grapplers in Hawaii and across the broader Pacific Islands community, Goodell stands as an enduring example of what dedication, technical development, and a genuine love for the art can achieve.