Jared grew up in Canoga Park California, located on the western edge of the San Fernando Valley just minutes away from his father’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school. As a youngster growing up in the center of one of the most infamous training areas in Southern California in the early nineties, he started practicing BJJ at the age of 11.

Under the guidance of Renato Magno, his father Todd Nathanson, and his soon to be instructor at the age of 13 (Jean Jacques Machado), Jared quickly became a fearless competitor and well known in the BJJ community.

Jared employs an ever-moving, quick adjustment ground game that relies on his natural athleticism combined with abstract concepts to conquer his opponents.

Even though he has a complete knowledge of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – including an especially wicked half-guard game – Jared prefers to pass his opponents guard.

“I think it is a measure of your complete ability as a fighter to be able to play from the top” says Jared, “especially if you are a lighter competitor.”

“The secret to having a solid top game is to keep the pressure and your weight on your opponent.”

Lots of people like to be on top, but they don’t use their weight or manipulate the angles available to them and end up being reversed. If you want to stay on top, you need to drive your weight into your opponent when you decide to move onto other positions or attacks!”

Jared’s contribution to his father’s school has already produced its own new champions with his goal to make a difference in the lives of his students.