Coaching Team

Martial Arts Program Director

Fernando Moya

Fernando Moya is a seminal figure in Latin American martial arts with over 22 years of elite-level experience. As the first native Costa Rican to be awarded a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he holds one of the world’s most prestigious technical lineages, having been promoted to both Brown and Black Belt by John Danaher. Fernando also supports the UFC Performance Institute in Mexico City as their Grappling Coordinator, and brings the technical training protocols used by the world’s top professional mixed martial artists to athletes at every level at Vector.

  • Athletic Engineering: At Vector, Fernando applies the elite framework used in professional combat sports to the Vector Method (VM), a proprietary system for optimizing human performance built on four key pillars: Strength, Mobility, Skill, and Recovery.

    Teacher of Teachers: Having established a network of 20 Jiu Jitsu academy affiliates across Costa Rica, Mexico, and Panama, Fernando is dedicated to professionalizing the sport and developing high-level instructors. Vector serves as the official Headquarters for this international network.

    Program Leadership: Fernando oversees the design and refinement of Vector’s comprehensive martial arts curriculum, ensuring age-appropriate instruction and a high-performance environment for everyone from absolute beginners to professional competitors.

    UFC Performance Institute Certifications:

    • Specialist MMA

    • Intermediate & Fundamentals in Sports Science

    • Intermediate & Fundamentals in Performance Nutrition

    • Intermediate & Fundamentals in Strength and Conditioning

    • Fundamentals in MMA

    Global Strategy & Engagement: Fernando manages Vector’s strategic international partnerships and oversees the execution of coach intensives, tournaments, and collaborative training camps that position Vector at the forefront of the global performance training community.

    Technical Mastery: Fernando’s instruction focuses on providing personalized, data-driven feedback, fostering an inclusive and challenging atmosphere that bridges the gap between general physical capacity and sport-specific mastery.

Youth BJJ Lead Coach

Daniela Villalobos

Dra. Daniela Villalobos is a Medical Doctor, BJJ purple belt, and Muay Thai athlete who leads Vector’s Youth Martial Arts program. With a decade of clinical expertise and over seven years of active mat experience, Daniela bridges medical science with martial arts to design age-appropriate curricula focused on functional movement, injury prevention, and long-term athletic development. She holds an MD from UCIMED, a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, and a specialized certification in BJJ Kids Methodology. Drawing on an extensive background that includes developing women’s self-defense courses and foundational movement workshops, Daniela specializes in building discipline, safety, and confidence in students of all ages.

BJJ Coach & Operations Coordinator

paki

Paki brings over 20 years of combat sports and human performance expertise to Vector, combining an elite striking and grappling foundation with a highly analytical approach to athlete development. He is a dual Black Belt—holding a BJJ Black Belt under Fernando Moya and an Enshin Karate Black Belt under Yoko Ninomiya—with a multidisciplinary background spanning Judo, wrestling, boxing, and Luta Livre. Utilizing a two-decade professional background in complex analysis, Paki expertly diagnoses performance gaps and designs structured, progressive training programs focused on measurable technical precision. Certified in Ginastica Natural by Alvaro Romano and trained in StrongFirst strength methodologies, he is further expanding his expertise through advanced Sport Science and Sports Medicine coursework at the UFC Performance Institute. By integrating physical conditioning with sports psychology and philosophy, Paki cultivates technical mastery, mental resilience, and long-term well-being for athletes of all ages.

Pilates & Mobility Lead

Isabella Karczynska

Isabella brings over 25 years of international coaching experience to Vector, bridging the gap between mindfulness and high-performance mobility. She holds a degree in Physical Education from Kazimierz Wielki University, specializing in Corrective Gymnastics—a scientific foundation that drives her focus on movement quality, structural correction, and injury prevention. Certified by the Ministry of Sport as a Recreation and Fitness Instructor and a Peak Pilates International Certified Coach, Isabella has refined her craft at elite studios worldwide, including the prestigious Joseph Pilates Studio. Her diverse technical toolkit spans international certifications in Yoga, TRX, BOSU, the Body Art program, and specialized prenatal movement. At Vector, Isabella utilizes this multidisciplinary expertise to ensure every individual builds the core strength and precise mobility required for long-term physical longevity and injury resistance.

strength & conditioning coach

Daniel Jimenez Rodriguez

Daniel is a Strength and Conditioning Coach who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Movement Sciences from the Universidad de Costa Rica. With over a decade of athletic preparation experience, Daniel served as an Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach for the Costa Rican National Olympic Committee, directly preparing world-class competitors for the Pan American Games, World Championships, and the Rio 2016 Olympics. Daniel’s background includes founding X Integral Training, as well as extensive experience designing specialized conditioning, functional movement, and injury rehabilitation programs for youth, adult, and master athletes. Certified in international anthropometry (ISAK), IAAF track and field coaching, and CrosstrainingPro, Daniel brings a deeply science-backed approach to Vector, focusing on optimizing human mechanics, accelerating recovery, and unlocking sustainable athletic performance for members of all levels.

Health, Wellness, & Recovery Team

Youth BJJ Lead Coach & Wellness advisor

Daniela Villalobos

Dra. Daniela Villalobos is a Medical Doctor and Sports Medicine specialist with a decade of experience spanning clinical medicine, sports performance, and physical rehabilitation. Her distinguished background includes tenure as the Medical Director of the Neue Leben Rehabilitation Center and Administrator at Clínica Saint Francis. Holding her MD from UCIMED, Daniela excels at bridging the gap between clinical medicine and functional physical activity. At Vector, she provides data-driven oversight for our health and longevity initiatives, specializing in metabolic efficiency, exercise physiology, and advanced body composition analysis. As an active BJJ and Muay Thai athlete, Daniela uniquely combines her firsthand understanding of rigorous athletic demands with evidence-based medicine to optimize long-term human wellness.

Sports Medicine

Felipe Deliyore

Dr. Felipe Deliyore is a sports medicine physician and regenerative medicine specialist who bridges the gap between clinical science, advanced diagnostics, and elite performance. He holds an MD from the Universidad de Costa Rica, an MSc in Sport & Exercise Medicine from the University of Bath (UK), and an MSc in AI Applications in Healthcare from UCAM (Spain). Felipe specializes in point-of-care musculoskeletal ultrasound (POCUS) diagnostics and ultrasound-guided interventions. Backed by Level 3 PHICIS certification, and ringside triage experience, he brings deep field expertise to tissue repair and chronic pain management. Additionally, as a StrongFirst Elite Instructor, co-founder of Alliance Jiu Jitsu Escazú, and an active BJJ competitor, Felipe uniquely pairs a firsthand mastery of grappling demands with cutting-edge medical oversight to optimize athletic longevity.

Clinical Nutritionist

Adrián Flores

Adrián Flores is a Clinical Nutritionist, Dietitian, and 1st-Degree BJJ Black Belt specializing in metabolic optimization, tissue repair, and anti-inflammatory nutrition for high-performance athletes. He holds a Licenciatura en Nutrición, is a Master’s in Sports Nutrition candidate at the University of São Paulo (USP, Brazil), and carries an international ISAK 1 certification in advanced body composition analysis. Adrián pairs his scientific expertise with elite combat pedigree, being a multi-time BJJ National Champion, Pan-American competitor, World Championship quarter-finalist, and a WNBF podium natural bodybuilding finisher. Having managed a high-volume clinical practice of over 200 clients monthly and completed specialized resistance training coursework at UNA, he designs highly scalable, science-based dietary strategies engineered to optimize body composition, accelerate recovery, and extend the long-term health span of the Vector community.

Bodywork Therapist

Harriet Lanka

Harriet is a precision bodywork therapist and recovery specialist with over 24 years of hands-on healing experience, including 13 years serving the Guanacaste community. Her work focuses on nervous system and soft tissue repair and regeneration — helping the body shift out of acute or chronic stress and back into its natural healing state. Harriet utilizes Somatic Emotional Release (SER), an elite recovery protocol that integrates Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy, trigger point therapy, and vibration therapy to support deep tissue release and recovery. She’s been a certified yoga instructor for 11 years, so she combines structural intentionality with advanced movement mechanics to help release chronic tension and restore optimal joint mobility. At Vector, Harriet collaborates with the coaching staff to align her structural reboots with athlete training cycles, providing the physical regeneration required for high-performance longevity.

Massage TheraPist

Priscilla Vega

Priscilla Vega Ledezma is a Wellness Therapist with over 11 years of experience in elite performance recovery and clinical masotherapy, including an extensive background in operational leadership at high-end luxury resorts in Guanacaste. She holds a professional foundation in anatomy, physiology, and therapeutic bodywork from the Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN), where she also earned her clinical certification in lymphatic drainage to assist athletes in reducing inflammation and accelerating fluid clearance. At Vector, Priscilla specializes in a sports-focused recovery approach, utilizing a precise toolkit of Deep Tissue, Swedish, and myofascial release techniques. Her work is dedicated to neutralizing physical training stress, correcting musculoskeletal imbalances, and facilitating the deep neural down-regulation necessary for high-performance longevity.

Massage Therapist

Alejandra Bárcenas

Alejandra Bárcenas is a Wellness Therapist with over five years of experience in high-performance physical recovery. She holds technical certifications from the Universidad Técnica Nacional (UTN) and the Instituto Nacional de Aprendizaje (INA), providing her with a rigorous foundation in anatomy and physiological restoration. At Vector, Alejandra focuses on therapeutic sports massage, utilizing her expertise to accelerate physical maintenance, improve tissue health, and reduce systemic stress. She combines a meticulous attention to protocol and hygiene with a deeply empathetic approach, delivering precise, professional recovery sessions designed to support the physical longevity and peak performance of the Guanacaste community.

Member Support

Member Experience Specialist

Sophia Montes

Sophia Montes brings a unique blend of clinical wellness expertise and high-level operational experience to Vector’s front-line member journey. With an active practice as an Integrative Nutritionist, Sophia doesn't just manage your member experience, she genuinely understands the mind-body connection behind why you're here. Sophia holds a Bachelor’s in Nutrition from Universidad Hispanoamericana, a technical degree in Data Analysis, and is currently a Master’s candidate in Therapeutic Neuroscience. Her comprehensive wellness toolkit is backed by certifications as a Brain Health Coach, Functional Nutritionist, Professional Aesthetician, and specialist in Nutritional Psychiatry. At Vector, Sophia manages the end-to-end member experience, ensuring every member touchpoint is grounded in logistical precision and a deep understanding of holistic well-being.

Member Experience Specialist

Alejandro Gamboa

Alejandro Gamboa Segura brings a unique combination of operational expertise and a genuine passion for fitness and performance to Vector. With over a decade of experience managing complex logistics, commercial operations, and client-facing processes for global organizations, he plays a key role in ensuring that every aspect of the Vector experience operates with precision, professionalism, and attention to detail. Alejandro holds a Bachelor’s degree in Customs Administration and International Trade from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), along with dual majors in International Trade & Marketing and Strategic Marketing & Digital Communication from EUDE Business School. At Vector, he combines analytical thinking, systems optimization, and a health-oriented mindset to help create a seamless, high-touch environment where members feel supported from the moment they walk through the door.

Owners & Founders

Justin & Jen Christian

After careers leading global teams at the forefront of technology and security, Justin and Jen Christian chose to leave the corporate world behind and build a different kind of life in Costa Rica—one more intentionally centered around health, community, and long-term fulfillment. Both former Senior Managers at Amazon Web Services, they bring backgrounds in leadership and operations, along with a shared passion for health & fitness. Jen holds a PhD in Public Policy, and Justin holds a PhD in Mathematics with a background in security analytics and data science. Vector was born from their shared vision to create a first-of-its-kind fitness, wellness, and longevity facility in Guanacaste—one that combines world-class coaching, training, recovery, and health optimization under one roof.