Meet Your Instructor

Christine L. Fingado, Private Instructor

Valente Brothers Black Belt

I am your instructor, Christine Fingado. I am pleased to offer private in your home or at Valente Brothers International Headquarters in North Miami Beach. In 2005 my family was the victim of a home invasion. Two armed men held us at gun point, separated my husband and I, and took everything. Our children were 3 and 5 years old. I did not expect to survive that night.

Since 2007, I have devoted myself completely to the study of self-defense, and specifically to teaching others the most effective methods of self-defense. There are very few places where one can train safely. I seek to empower anyone who might not be comfortable, or feel safe with such personal training, to develop the skill set to protect their mind and body in all of their day-to-day endeavors.

I have trained martial arts for over fifteen years with Black Belt degrees in multiple disciplines. I train self-defense regularly at Valente Brothers Headquarters and VB Tactical in North Miami Beach to continue to learn and refine new concepts to share with my students. I have extensive experience with helping new students begin their journey and am highly skilled in all five elements of self defense: 1. Stand-up Self-defense Against Surprise Attacks 2. Striking and Clinching Techniques 3. Throwing Techniques 4. Self-Defense on the Ground and 5. Philosophy. I bring contagious enthusiasm to my instruction with the patience and dedication to help you achieve excellent technique.

I attended Boston College Law School and specialize in Trusts and Estates. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, home-schooled my two children, and participate robustly in charity work with the Charity Guild of Fort Lauderdale in support of Kids in Distress, and Children’s Diagnostic & Treatment Center.

I bring a unique perspective to the mat and I have a passion for helping my students evolve in their practice of self defense for both mind and body. I am skilled in working with men, women and children of all ages.

TRAINING AND CERTIFICATIONS:

Valente Brothers Jūjutsu International Headquarters: Super Seminar 2024, Shoshin Black Belt Conference 2024, Triangle Choke Seminar 2023, Shoshin Black Belt Conference 2023, VB Tactical Survival and Wellness Course 2022, Shoshin Black Belt Conference 2022, Black Belt Blue Bar 2021, VB Jūjutsu History Course 2021, VB University Full 753 Code Online Course 2020, American Safety & Health Institute Basic First Aid/CPR and AED for Adult/Child/Infant 2020, Third Annual Self-Defense Workshop 2020, VB Tactical Foundations of Handgun 2020, Black Belt 2019, Shokunin Black Belt Conference 2019, Second Annual Self-Defense Workshop 2019, 753 Code Conference 2019, Goshin Waza Conference 2018, First Annual Self-Defense Workshop 2018, Shokunin Black Belt Conference 2017, Helio Gracie Self-Defense Challenge Finalist 2017 and 2015.

Elite Force Martial Arts: First Degree Black Belt 2011, Second Degree Black Belt 2013

Martial Arts University International: Matt Hughes Cage Fitness Instructor Certification 2011, WJJU No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu 2011, MMA Jiu-Jitsu Combatives 2010, Burns with Kearns MMA Conditioning Coach Core Certification 2010

World Survival Hisardut International Israeli Instinctive Shooting: Personal Protection Inside The Home 2009, Close Quarters Attack & Response 2009, Family VQC Protection Strategies 2009, Shooting Basics and Family Protection In Urban Environments 2010.