For nearly a decade, Kalani Foster battled chronic knee pain that threatened not only his mobility—but his identity. A lifelong martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt with over 20 years of training, Kalani reached a point where teaching, standing, and even walking short distances became agonizing. Doctors told him he’d need total knee replacements before 50. But everything changed when he underwent stem cell therapy at CPI in Tijuana, Mexico. Today, Kalani is back on the mats, running three academies, and living pain-free.
From Martial Arts to Chronic Breakdown
Kalani began his martial arts journey over 40 years ago, long before BJJ was mainstream. “I’ve been training in martial arts since I was a kid,” he says. “I’ve seen the evolution of Jiu-Jitsu firsthand. But over time, the wear and tear caught up.”
By his late 30s, Kalani was dealing with severe knee issues. “The pain became constant. Just getting out of bed in the morning to teach my 5 a.m. Jiu-Jitsu class was hard. I couldn’t stand and talk to someone for longer than two minutes without my leg going numb. Walking more than 300 feet? Forget it—I had to sit down.”
Despite this, he kept training. “Being on my back didn’t hurt as much, so I could still roll and teach. But everyday life was brutal.”
Doctors Told Him He’d Need Total Knee Replacements
“I went to multiple doctors,” Kalani explains. “They all said the same thing: ‘You’ll need total knee replacements before you turn 50.’” At 48 years old, he was quickly running out of time—and options. “That’s when I decided to retire from my job and open my own Jiu-Jitsu academy. I thought I might have to shut it down within a year.”
Kalani founded Buffalo Black Brotherhood Jiu-Jitsu in Stockton, California, rooted in family, discipline, and community. But behind the scenes, he was struggling. “I started preparing mentally for the possibility that I might not be able to continue. I couldn’t live like that anymore.”
A Giveaway That Changed Everything
Then something unexpected happened. Kalani entered a giveaway hosted by CPI and ADCC—the premier submission grappling championship. “I saw the contest on Instagram and decided to throw my name in. I never expected to win.”
But he did.
“When my name got pulled, I couldn’t believe it. That moment changed my life.”
Enter CPI: The Start of True Healing
CPI Stem Cells is a regenerative medicine facility based in Tijuana, Mexico. Known for treating top athletes, military veterans, and chronic pain sufferers, CPI offers fully integrated stem cell protocols using high-dose mesenchymal stem cells.
Kalani flew down to Tijuana for treatment. “From the moment I walked in, everything was different. Full MRIs, bloodwork, therapy—all in one building. And the staff treated me like royalty. It was unreal compared to anything I’ve experienced in the U.S.”
He received stem cell injections directly into his knees and IV, targeting both localized inflammation and systemic healing.
“No Pain. No Braces. No Limitations.”
Kalani noticed changes fast. “Three weeks after treatment, I felt so good I jumped back into training—too soon,” he admits with a laugh. “I ended up back in bed for two days. That was a wake-up call. Since then, I’ve followed the aftercare protocol closely.”
Today, he reports zero arthritis symptoms and no knee pain at all. “In California, when the weather turns cold, I usually have to wear two prosthetic-style braces just to move. This year? Nothing. Not a single flare-up.”
Rediscovering Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu
Now pain-free, Kalani has rededicated himself to teaching and growing his community. “We have three academies now—mine, my son’s in Tracy, and my cousin’s down the road. And it’s more than just training—it’s family.”
Kalani has seen Jiu-Jitsu transform hundreds of lives. “Parents, kids, adults—we’ve helped people lose 60, even 100 pounds. We’ve built a real support system. If you need help, someone in the gym will be there for you. It’s the Jiu-Jitsu family.”
From tradespeople to doctors, tattoo artists to law enforcement, his gym is filled with people from every walk of life. “None of that matters on the mat. Doesn’t matter what you look like, how much money you make—when you’re training, we’re all equal.”
Buffalo Black Clothing Co.
Kalani also runs Buffalo Black Clothing Co., a lifestyle and fightwear brand born from legacy. “Buffalo was a nickname my dad had from the fieldworkers we labored with. When he passed away, I named the gym after him.”
What started with spray-painted black t-shirts has grown into a brand recognized at tournaments across California. “We’d show up in all black, and people knew we were there. Now, I go to local tournaments and half the competitors are wearing our gear. It’s still a small brand, but it represents something bigger—family, grit, loyalty.”
The Value of Stem Cell Therapy for Chronic Knee Pain
Kalani’s story is part of a growing number of success cases from CPI. For those suffering from chronic joint degeneration, arthritis, and mobility loss, stem cell therapy can offer an alternative to surgery.
“I tell people all the time—don’t wait until you’re broken. If you’re in pain, stem cell therapy is worth looking into. It gave me my life back.”
The stem cells Kalani received were mesenchymal stem cells, known for their regenerative, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulating effects. Delivered both locally and intravenously, they helped repair damaged tissue and reduce systemic inflammation.
“I trust stem cells now,” Kalani says. “I went from planning for double knee replacement to training full-time again.”
Advice for Anyone Considering Treatment
Kalani is quick to remind people that recovery requires patience. “You feel better fast—but you can’t get ahead of yourself. Follow the protocol. Let it grow.”
His words of advice:
- Don’t wait until surgery is your only option
- Be prepared to follow the recovery plan
- Get physical therapy and treat it like surgery
- Focus on long-term healing, not short-term gains
Looking Ahead: A Future Without Pain
At 49 years old, Kalani is no longer thinking about quitting—he’s planning for the next 30 years. “I’m training again, teaching every day, and running three academies. I feel better than I have in a decade.”
His story is a reminder of what’s possible when science, grit, and community collide. “Thank God for CPI,” he says. “I’m back. And I’m not going anywhere.”
Want to Learn More?
📞 Call CPI Stem Cells at +1 (855) 227-1411 or Click Here to Get Started
🔬 Visit cpistemcells.com
🥋 Follow Kalani at Buffalo Black Brotherhood Jiu-Jitsu and Buffalo Black Clothing Co.