Unicorn Jiu Jitsu
Candace Fields - Assistant Kids Jiu Jitsu Coach
Candace is a non-binary filmmaker and hobbyist Jiu Jitsu practitioner who is an assistant coach for the youth classes. During their childhood, Candace was consistently described as a tomboy amongst their family and peers. Candace reveled in coming home filthy after a long day at pony camp during the summers and exhausted after swim meets and soccer practice or games through middle school and high school. They also enjoyed playing the violin and guitar, learning and performing different styles of dance from 12 years of age until their mid 20’s, and sport climbing and bouldering both outdoors and in a climbing gym for the entirety of their 20’s. Overall, Candace has always had a propensity towards an active and creative lifestyle.
They were born near San Francisco, CA and lived there until they were accepted as a transfer student into Seattle University in the fall of 2012. They moved up to the Northwest to finish college, something no one in their immediate family had done prior to them graduating, to pursue a career in filmmaking all while working 60+ hours per week. They’ve worked in film production since late 2013 and have been full time freelance since early 2018 with no sign of stopping despite many years of work slowdowns and labor strikes.
Before training Jiu Jitsu, Candace had taken western boxing classes at Seattle Boxing Gym off and on for about three years before their partner introduced them to jiu jitsu in early 2020. Never having found a home base gym upon moving down to Portland in late 2021, they eventually discovered Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in 2022 and have been training here ever since. They competed once at white belt, placing 2nd in their bracket in the Seattle Queer & Trans Tournament in March of 2025. They plan to continue trying their hand at competition as their body allows.
Candace’s teaching style is patient, understanding, encouraging and community focused. They want their students to learn how to use their bodies with full autonomy and agency to keep themselves fit, capable and safe while also having fun with their training partners. Candace hopes to be an inspiration and source of safety for other budding queer children that want to become the best Jiu Jitsu athletes that they can be on and off the mats.
They were born near San Francisco, CA and lived there until they were accepted as a transfer student into Seattle University in the fall of 2012. They moved up to the Northwest to finish college, something no one in their immediate family had done prior to them graduating, to pursue a career in filmmaking all while working 60+ hours per week. They’ve worked in film production since late 2013 and have been full time freelance since early 2018 with no sign of stopping despite many years of work slowdowns and labor strikes.
Before training Jiu Jitsu, Candace had taken western boxing classes at Seattle Boxing Gym off and on for about three years before their partner introduced them to jiu jitsu in early 2020. Never having found a home base gym upon moving down to Portland in late 2021, they eventually discovered Unicorn Jiu Jitsu in 2022 and have been training here ever since. They competed once at white belt, placing 2nd in their bracket in the Seattle Queer & Trans Tournament in March of 2025. They plan to continue trying their hand at competition as their body allows.
Candace’s teaching style is patient, understanding, encouraging and community focused. They want their students to learn how to use their bodies with full autonomy and agency to keep themselves fit, capable and safe while also having fun with their training partners. Candace hopes to be an inspiration and source of safety for other budding queer children that want to become the best Jiu Jitsu athletes that they can be on and off the mats.
