Rivalry Jiu Jitsu in Fresno opened its doors for its new location last November and has seen a steady increase in members since. Photo contributed

It’s been one year since the fall of Fresno’s once-hailed Bitwise Industries, leaving 900 employees in Fresno and other offices across the country without a job.

Bitwise co-founders Jake Soberal and Irma Olguin Jr. have since been charged with defrauding investors out of $100 million and are widely expected to take a plea agreement.

Former Bitwise employees and partners have gone on to find other ways to make a living, with some starting their own businesses.

Nathalie Cervantes, a former Bitwise human resources employee, co-founded Rivalry Jiu Jitsu with her husband Victor at 761 E. Barstow Ave. in the Headliner Shopping Center in Fresno in November 2023.

Though the collapse of Bitwise and being let go was a surprise, Cervantes said, it led to better things for her.

“Just like anybody else, I was shocked,” Cervantes said. “It’s a blessing in disguise. Now I can spend time on my family and kids and business.”

She said that they have seen good growth since the martial arts studio opened, with members referring their friends.

Cervantes said that many of Rivalry’s members are business owners and young professionals themselves, using the lessons they learn on the mat and applying them to their lives and careers.

What sets a martial arts gym apart from the next martial arts gym is the culture. The “student mindset” of continuous learning and growth is one of the reasons many business owners and entrepreneurs are getting into mixed martial arts, she said.

“Sometimes people aren’t good at losing or struggle taking on new things,” Cervantes said. “They fear rejection or failure. If you have that problem at work, you’ll have that on the mat. Your coach will point that out and teach you how to handle that.”

Several of their members are younger as well and are second generation business owners that are getting their family businesses handed over to them, with jiu jitsu being used as a way to destress and strategize.

Rivalry Jiu Jitsu partners with the We Defy Foundation, which provides combat veterans living with military connected disabilities a long term solution to overcome their challenges through jiu jitsu and fitness training.

Social media, word of mouth, family members and friends have helped get the word out on Rivalry Jiu Jitsu, Cervantes said.

Though she may have been blindsided by the fall of Bitwise and losing her job, she, along with Victor, are figuring out the next moves in their fight.