“I trust stem cells now—because they worked. After my first round at CPI, I finally slept through the night without pain.”
A Journey That Started in 1988… and Never Slowed Down
Sean Hammonds isn’t just a jiu-jitsu black belt. He’s a Marine, a former competitive powerlifter, a lifelong martial artist, and a man who’s pushed his body past its limits time and time again. But his story of injury and resilience begins long before his name became synonymous with grappling success.
Back in 1988, during his senior year of high school, Sean tore his ACL in a football game. Instead of surgery, he joined the Marine Corps. “I toughed it out through the tests,” he says. “But eight weeks into boot camp at Parris Island, my knee swelled up. They gave me an honorable discharge—I couldn’t finish.”
He may have left the Marines early, but the grit and mindset stuck with him.
Powerlifting to Jiu-Jitsu: The Evolution of an Athlete
After moving to Nashville in the early ’90s, Sean found himself in the gym—powerlifting competitively and building a reputation for his raw strength and grip. “I was never over 205 lbs,” he recalls, “but I competed in the 198 lb class, and I was strong.”
That changed when jiu-jitsu entered his life in the late ’90s.
“Powerlifting gave me strength, but no endurance,” he laughs. “Once I started jiu-jitsu, I knew I had to pick one. So I shifted gears. Dropped weight. And I was hooked.”
Sean quickly immersed himself in the jiu-jitsu scene, eventually founding Team Sean Hammonds, a growing national association with nearly 30 schools across the U.S.
The Toll of Training
Years of hard sparring, tough training rooms, and no off-switch began to catch up. Sean’s injuries piled up:
- Torn ACL (never surgically repaired)
- Bone-on-bone knee damage
- Multiple shoulder issues
- Post-surgery recovery weight gain
- Pain so constant it interrupted his sleep
“I was waking up every night. I couldn’t get comfortable. My left knee was shot—bone on bone. Eventually, I had it replaced. But even after that, I knew I needed help.”
Finding Relief at CPI Stem Cells
In September 2023, Sean made the trip to CPI Stem Cells in Tijuana, Mexico. Known for treating everyone from UFC fighters to everyday athletes, CPI’s all-inclusive, vertically integrated facility delivered what Sean calls “the best care I’ve had anywhere.”
“After they treated my shoulders the first time, I felt amazing,” he says. “I could sleep. I hadn’t slept like that in years. I was like—‘Goodness gracious. This stuff works.’”
During his second visit, he received additional injections in:
- His right knee
- His left shoulder (after a partial rotator cuff tear)
What stood out most wasn’t just the treatment—it was the experience:
“Everyone was on the ball. ‘Do you need anything?’ ‘Can I help you?’ You get treated like a king. In one building, they do everything—MRIs, consults, treatments, even custom meals based on your diet.”
Trust Built on Results
Sean doesn’t mince words: “I trust stem cells now. Because they worked.”
His training buddy—who skipped the 6-month follow-up—still reports that his shoulders feel amazing over a year later. Sean’s own results were so strong, he returned to CPI with confidence.
“It saved my jiu-jitsu,” his friend told him.
“I could keep training.”
Sean knows firsthand the difference it makes—not just physically, but mentally. “I used to not listen to my body. You’re young, you heal fast. But as you get older, you get smarter—or you pay for it.”
A Gym Built on Brotherhood
These days, Sean runs Sean Hammonds Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, where he trains a mix of competitors, hobbyists, and veterans of the mat. His daytime crew averages 45–55 years old. His nighttime classes? That’s where the savages come to play.
And across nearly 30 affiliate schools, his culture is consistent: “We’re family. No egos. If you broke down down the road, my students would come pick you up.”
Lessons in Recovery, Grit & Growth
Sean’s story is about more than stem cells—it’s about reinvention.
He’s fought through injuries, built a jiu-jitsu empire, and stayed loyal to the grind. But when his body was breaking down, he knew something had to change.
That’s when CPI Stem Cells entered the picture.
“This isn’t a part-time thing. If you train part-time, jiu-jitsu becomes an injury factory. You’ve got to recover right if you want to keep going.”
Closing Advice from a Warrior Who’s Been There
- On stem cells: “They work—just follow the recovery plan and give your body time.”
- On injuries: “Everything hurts when you train like we used to. Don’t wait until it’s too late to fix it.”
- On jiu-jitsu: “The culture has to be right. We train hard, but we take care of each other.”
- On CPI: “This isn’t what you expect. It’s better. Everyone—from the nurses to the chefs—takes care of you.”
Looking into stem cell therapy for yourself or someone you care about? We’re here to help—call +1 (855) 227-1411 or click here to get started.
Learn More
🎙️ Listen to the Podcast: Sean Hammonds shares his story on the CPI Podcast
🧬 Explore Stem Cell Treatments: Visit cpistemcells.com
🥋 Train with Sean: Sean Hammonds Jiu-Jitsu Academy