Meet Jimmy Hernandez | BJJ Student & Critical Care Registered Nurse

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jimmy Hernandez and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jimmy, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
In my youth, I was an individual who always happened to find trouble. After witnessing my father leave and my mother have a significant stroke, which led to multiple brain surgeries due to a medical anomaly, I was a young individual who was upset. I carried that into my younger years and acted out. I was a lost teen who was told by multiple individuals that I would fail in my lifelong pursuits. Over the years, I realized the importance of camaraderie, community, and discipline. I dedicated myself to discipline, commitments, delayed gratification, and humility. I committed to doing things I did not want to do. After establishing a critical care registered nurse career and hearing I was having a daughter, I found the sport of Brazilian jiu-jitsu. I realized it was an art that taught all of these significant values every time you stepped onto the mat. It was an art that humbled you with every encounter. Something that the younger me craved. As I have been training for the past few years, I began to ask, “Why are these values not talked about more, and do people that train understand their potential in society?” (Also, most of the rashguards available look like a NASCAR driver designed them)… But I began to examine the community. I have always desired to make a difference in the community, as I wish there were an older individual out there who truly sought to teach these values to people who did not understand them. After asking this question, I began to design rashguards and create a social gathering to promote the brand’s values. Vincimus, which stands for WE CONQUER in Latin, is meant to highlight BJJ’s values. It is intended to show that those who commit to the action of BJJ have the power to conquer anything they set their mind to, as they have proven they have the skills of discipline, commitment, delayed gratification, and more. Overall, this brand was created with the hope that those who train truly look within and understand that on AND off the mats, we conquer.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I began my career at Riverside University Health System in a Level II trauma intensive care unit. As I established a nursing career foundation, COVID-19 spread throughout the country. I want to tell you that it was the most exciting/eerie time of my career. It was a time of uncertainty. A time that prepared me to further my career no matter where I went. The events in the community were detrimental to so many individuals. Still, they only catapulted me to increase my nursing knowledge and provide the care that I knew those in the community deserved. I transitioned to travel nursing after working at this facility for a year and a half. Travel nursing is where you move from hospital to hospital in the state or country to fill needed spots. It allowed me to grow in flexibility and critical thinking. After I completed a few contracts, I moved to the Emergency Department. I have been in the ED for over three years now and love every second of it. This career requires a lot of patience and the ability to control one’s emotions in high-intensity scenarios. This is where Brazilian jiu-jitsu has also assisted me in maintaining my initial response to high-intensity situations. I remind myself that I have been in situations on the mats that are significantly more intense and remember that I am in control of how I respond. It is exhilarating to reflect on the power of breathing, meditation, and reminding yourself that you have been in critical situations before, which Vincimus echoes. The brand Vincimus was designed to remind those who practice BJJ that they can accomplish anything they set their mind to, as they have proven they carry the traits of truly successful people. My story is a testament that these values, consistent training, and mental fortitude are pillars to overcoming barriers and challenges we face in our everyday lives.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If I had a friend coming to California, I would have us near the beach cities for the entire week. There is something divine about the ocean, and I would ensure that someone visiting could experience the beauty of California! We would go to Laguna Beach, San Clemente, Huntington, and the various breaks down the coast. We would surf and hit Sancho’s tacos in Newport, Nick’s in San Clemente, STACKZ in Dana Point, and continue to enjoy the California experience. Ultimately, the experiences in nature of California are the go-to for a trip!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Imperial Fight Academy in Corona, CA, has been paramount to my growth in BJJ. They are a fantastic gym and truly put their students first. The professor, Riley Miller, a black belt under Giva Santana, is a phenomenal instructor and has inspired this brand through his training and mentoring.

Website: https://Vincimus.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vincimus_fw/

Other: https://tiktok.com/@vincimus_fw