Gracie Barra tournaments are all about families competing; moms, dads, kids, brothers, and sisters. If one family member signs up, chances are there’s usually another family member not too far behind. The Wilner brothers, Max and Maza, both signed up to compete at Compnet 11, and they had a great time in the process.

Max Wilner going for the rear naked choke / Photos: Deb Blyth

Max, a nine-year-old yellow belt, and his 13-year-old green belt brother, Maza, both train at GB America in Irvine with Professor Otavio Sousa and Instructor Cedric Chamouille. They also train at GB Cerritos with Professor Renato “Babalu” Sobral. They love Jiu-Jitsu and have been training for quite some time: Maza for seven years and Max for about five.

Max, whose favorite move is the triangle, had two matches at the GB tournament. He won one by armbar and one by decision, making him a gold medal winner for the day. He says he was a little nervous before his bouts but he competes a lot and knows, once he starts, the butterflies go away. “I just make sure I stay safe and don’t get hurt and always try my best,” Max says, “I like winning first place medals.”

Max says there are a lot of things he loves about Jiu-Jitsu. “I like to roll and I like getting promoted,” he says, “I like spending time on the mat with my friends, Brennan and Toby. They’re my best friends in Jiu-Jitsu.” Max says he and Babalu grapple for fun. “I can’t beat him but I want to,” he says. He also rolls with his older brother, Maza, at home. “We play, but one day I want to beat him,” he says.

Max hanging out with his friend Professor Babalu Sobral

Max obviously has a competitive side and says he wants to be a world champion black belt one day, but for now he will continue to emulate those he admires most in Jiu-Jitsu: Babalu, Master Carlos, Otavio Sousa, and Cedric Chamouille.

Brother Maza had a different experience at the tournament, which turned out to be a good learning experience for him. Being a green belt, there weren’t too many competitors in his division, so he was placed with another green belt who was older and bigger than him. The match was more like an absolute than a divisional bout and the uncertainty was clear on Maza’s face as he took to the mats to face his competitor.

Maza Wilner stuck in a triangle

Early on, Maza held his own, but when his opponent pulled guard, Maza says he was hit in the groin. He posted his arm on his opponent’s chest, who took full advantage, locking Maza up in a triangle. Maza did his best to defend but ultimately time ran out and Maza lost the match. “I lost fair and square,” the mature 13-year-old says, “He was the better man this day.”

Maza says he loves to compete but hates the feeling of being nervous. “I hate losing more than I love winning,” he laughs, “I’m a competitive guy.” Regardless of the loss, though, Maza says it was a good experience. “I haven’t lost in a long time,” he says, “So I’m going to learn from this. I’m going to go back and train on how to defend better.”

Maza, who also trains in wrestling and Thai boxing, wants to be a black belt one day. “I want to be the best at whatever it is I do,” he says, “I’m going to keep training to get better and be number one.” Maza would like to thank his family for all they do for him. “I’ll be back stronger next time,” he says.

David Kopelev is an eight-year-old yellow belt from GB San Clemente. This mature little guy says Jiu-Jitsu has taught him a lot of really important life skills. “I’m a small guy,” he says seriously, “It’s taught me how to defend myself against people who pick on me.” Asked if he gets picked on a lot, David replies, “They’ll pick on me once, then they don’t do it anymore. I have my birthday parties at Gracie Barra, so they know what I’m capable of.”

David Kopelev and his BJJ family

David had two matches at the GB tournament. His favorite takedown is the double-leg, and he put that skill to good use in his first match, which he won on points. He also had an impressive sweep during the bout, which drew a collective, “Wow!” from the crowd seeing such a little guy pull off such a beautiful technique.

Although he lost his second match on points to take silver for the day, the positive-minded competitor felt good. “I’m happy!” he says, “I had a great experience.” And no doubt he did. It was a major feat for David to be at the tournament at all. He’d just had his appendix out six weeks earlier and was already back competing and feeling no pain. “I have no pain and I’m not tired at all,” he says.

David’s favorite technique is the keylock, and he takes his training very seriously. “I have my own rule when I train,” he says, “I practice one kind of sub per round. Otherwise, I would only train the keylock.”

David’s goal is to one day become a black belt. He recently started taking wrestling classes at GB Dana Point with coaches Kanai and Cody. “I want to compete as much as I can and be just like Professor Flavio (Almeida) when I grow up.”

Both David’s parents train in Jiu-Jitsu as well. “Our whole life is Jiu-Jitsu,” dad Sergio says, “All our friends are Jiu-Jitsu friends. We take our gi’s on vacation with us. We just trained at Ricardo Almeida’s school and loved it.” Then Sergio goes one better, “It’s the best marriage therapy ever,” he laughs. “Yeah,” says David’s mom, Christy, “We get it all out on the mats. We lock up chokes on each other!”

Jude Irons with his family after winning gold

GB Encinitas Jude Irons comes from a famous family, but there is no pressure to perform for this light-hearted nine-year-old. As his last name implies, Jude comes from the famous Irons surfing family. His dad, Ricky was a professional surfer, along with his cousins Andy, who recently passed away, and Bruce. But it was Jude’s big day as he took to the mats to compete in his three matches.

In his first match, Jude says he was caught off guard, “He went for a double-leg and I was like, ‘Whoa!’ Last year’s tournament was easier!” Jude ended up winning the match on points once he regained his composure. He says his second match was “gnarly.” “He was very strong,” Jude says, “In the last second I took him down. He was so much taller than me!” In this third and final match, Jude found his flow. “I took him down and passed his guard,” he says, “Then I just kind of held on to him.”

Jude says it was pretty cool to win a gold medal but there was some pressure to try to keep it real in the winner’s circle. “I was so happy standing on the podium,” he says, “I don’t like to make fake smiles, but I was nervous up there. There were so many people watching. There were so many cameras. I’m not one for cameras.”

Like his illustrious family, Jude also surfs and apparently has picked up some of those surfing genes from the one’s who came before him. “I acknowledge that a lot of people are better than me,” he says, “But in my opinion I’m good at it.” Jude can’t pick which he likes better between surfing and Jiu-Jitsu because he loves them both. He’s not sure what he’s going to be when he grows up but says, “I’m gonna let life flow and see what happens.”

Regardless, Jude thinks Jiu-Jitsu is fun and he’s going to keep training and competing. His mom got him into the sport, and he loves his parents for encouraging him to do it. And let’s face it, he was sick of baseball anyway. “There were too many treats in baseball after the games… like cupcakes,” he says, “I wasn’t having enough fun. Now I’m having a lot of fun.”

Austin Gerrard and his new blue belt

Austin Gerrard of Gracie Barra Lake Elsinore got more than he bargained for when he showed up to compete at the GB Compnet 11 event. This was the 15-year-old white belt’s second tournament, after recently competing at the American Nationals and taking third, and he was excited about it. At the GB event, he had three matches. Two he won by points and one he won by armbar, which is also his favorite technique, allowing him to claim a gold medal for the day.

Austin, a sophomore in high school, says competing helps him become more confident in his Jiu-Jitsu. Also a high school wrestler, Austin trains in wrestling three hours a day and then goes to Jiu-Jitsu three to four times a week. “Both BJJ and wrestling help each other a lot,” he says, “I think I’ll be better in wrestling this year, from the Jiu-Jitsu training I’ve been doing.”

Austin’s day came to an exciting close when he got a big surprise on the podium. His instructor, Hector Tapia, and Professor Gustavo Pires wrapped a blue belt around his waist to Austin’s and the crowd’s delight. “I feel pretty excited!” Austin says, “I didn’t expect it today.” In Jiu-Jitsu, one must always expect the unexpected.

Marines at Camp Pendleton / Photos: Gracie Barra archives

Gracie Barra has been involved with Marines for some time, teaching them as students in Gracie Barra schools all around the country, but also going out to local Marines bases, to assist them in their Jiu-Jitsu training. The Camp Pendelton Marines, specifically, have responded well to the training they have received and regularly invite Gracie Barra back to their base for further instruction.

Most recently, Gracie Barra was invited by a San Clemente student, Staff Sergeant Marie, to go to Camp Pendleton to help improve their fighting techniques. “We are honored to be invited to Camp Pendelton to assist the Marines in their Jiu-Jitsu training,” Professor Marcelo Lacerda says, “They fight for our country and are always ready and prepared to go to war when they are called to do so, so it is an honor for us to help them train and perfect their ground combat skills in preparation for that time.”

Professor Marcelo Lacerda lecturing Marines on Jiu-Jitsu technique

Gracie Barra Professors Marcelo Lacerda, Ricardo Testai, Ricardo Moraes, Bruno Antunes, Bruno Rocha, Aldo Januario, and Rodrigo de Freitas as well as Coaches Kanai Brown and Elias Ramirez III were all on hand to assist with the class.

Flavio by Mike Pesh

About to compete at the Las Vegas Open, Flavio Almeida has been studying Jiu-Jitsu under Master Carlos Gracie Jr. for more then 17 years, and won all the major tournaments he competed in from blue belt juvenile to brown belt, and was undefeated in his weight division throughout all those years.

Today a 3rd-degree black belt, Cachorrinho’s competitive career was interrupted right after he received his black belt at 19. Admitted to a renowned university in Brazil, he could no longer train full time and slowly disappeared from the competition arena.

In 2007, Flavio hit the competition circuit with a vengeance and came back as a more mature fighter. That year he pulled out many important accomplishments such as 1st place at the No-Gi Pan, 2nd place at the Gi Pan, 2nd place at the ADCC, and 3rd place at the Worlds. He took gold at the Pan in 2009, but then his other callings came to pass again, and his involvement as an important decision maker at Gracie Barra, along with his pregnant wife, Vivi, took him away from the competition scene once again.

These days, Flavio leads the way as Director of the GB Association and is responsible for many of the changes to GB’s business strategy and its successful evolution over the years. With over 300 schools worldwide, and the aim of opening many more, he works diligently towards the goal of getting every GB school around the world to be uniformly run so that it is as though Master Carlos were overseeing each one of them himself.

Flavio with wife Vivi and daughter Valentina

“We’re working on bringing Jiu-Jitsu to as many people as possible through the hands of GB instructors worldwide,” he says, “We have a clear vision of how Jiu-Jitsu should be taught that is slightly different from the way most core competitors see it. We are reconnecting with the roots of the gentle art and resurrecting Carlos Gracie Sr.’s vision of Jiu-Jitsu as a practice aimed to support individual development.”

Along with his GB Association work, he also runs two successful GB schools: GB San Clemente and  GB Dana Point, which keep him even busier. Being so involved in business, Professor Flavio hasn’t competed since the 2009 Pan.

Lately, Flavio’s gone back to the mats to dedicate some time to getting his body back in competition shape. “I’m training for the Worlds No Gi, so results will come in a few months,” he says, “I feel much better already and the training with the other GB professors in Irvine definitely helps.” Flavio also enjoys training with his students. Although most of them are blue belts, he says they create a good challenge for him and help him develop new strategizes into his game.

Flavio Cachorrinho and Vivi. Photo: Gustavo Aragão

Flavio also adds physical training and cardio to his routine. “I power lift and run a lot,” he says, “I love the open trails in San Clemente and Dana Point. They give me extra motivation to get out there and work on my cardio.”

Flavio misses competing on a regular basis. “I miss the adrenaline, the training, and the excitement of it,” he says, “I truly believe every martial artist should be involved in some kind of competition. It keeps us on edge and connected to the best we are as fighters.”

He doesn’t usually look at the brackets before a tournament, but this year, he says he hears through the grapevine that Rafael Lovato may be competing in Las Vegas. “That would be awesome!” he says, “Every time I compete I truly want to grapple with the best guys out there and having big names like him keeps me even more motivated.”

Like many seasoned black belts, Flavio believes that competition is one of the best ways to grow as a fighter and as a person. “Master Carlos always told me that learning to handle the pressure of a contest makes us more prepared to deal with life and I agree,” he reflects, “I remember being a kid and my dad would tell me that life is like a Jiu-Jitsu tournament; just a little bit bigger and longer. That kind of good advice has taught me a lot. I have been blessed with great mentors.”

As far as winning or losing goes, Flavio likes to borrow words from the great John Wooden, a famous UCLA and Hall of fame basketball player and coach, “’Success is the peace of mind derived from knowing you prepared to perform to the best of your abilities.’ That is a very accurate way of defining the competition philosophy we learned from Carlinhos,” he says, “The tournament is not an end to itself. It’s a tool we should all use to achieve our potential as fighters and grow as individuals. We can’t control the results from a tournament, but we can control how much we prepare for it.”

And let’s face it, with Flavio’s crazy-busy life, he needs the distraction of competing once in a while. “By committing to a tournament, something changes within me,” he says, “I get out of my damned chair, put my tired laptop aside, leave the 100+ emails aside that I get in a day, and go train. I train to exhaustion. I eat better, I sleep better, I am overall happier, and that’s my goal.”

It’s this type of preparation that Flavio believes allows a person to perform at their best. He tells his students to not be obsessed with the victory. “Winning is a consequence of a strong commitment to do all we can to perform to the best of our abilities,” he philosophizes. He himself is going to show up to the Las Vegas Open a focused fighter with a strong desire to win, but above all else, he says he’s just happy to be back on the mats.

Jiu-Jitsu is Flavio’s life. You can often hear him saying, “I see my life through Jiu-Jitsu.”  Meaning that the art has shaped his character and has a strong influence on the way he makes decisions in his life. “Jiu-Jitsu training has made me realize the importance of noble values like respect to others, mutual support, discipline, and commitment to growth,” he says, “It has taught me the ethos of a warrior that ultimately allows me to make better decisions for the benefit of my family, my teammates, my friends, and myself.”

GB roots: Pedrinho Brandão with flake-gray shorts, Marco Joca with arms crossed and Cachorrinho doing the funk. Photo: Personal archive

Paul Nguyen winning the match against Brandon Mendez

Every sport has its champions and Jiu-Jitsu is no different. The true spirit of any sport, though, is found in its everyday heroes. People who fight the battles of life with such tenacity, grace, and courage, it makes you sit back and reflect about the true meaning of life and reconsider what you often take for granted. That’s what the following Gracie Barra warriors do. Their journeys through war, injury, and disease, wielding nothing but supreme mental and physical strength, set valuable lessons we can all live and learn by. On Saturday, May 8, 2010, the GB Season Opener displayed the kind of heart and soul you only read about in books.

Paul Nguyen is light featherweight white belt from GB Temecula. His Professor, Ricardo Guimarães has a lot of respect for him, “No one’s allowed to complain at the gym,” Guimarães says, “After hearing Paul’s story, we can’t ever say we’re having a bad day!”

Paul Nguyen in his 2nd match in his second match of the day. Photos: Deb Blyth

Paul served in the Army and was wounded overseas. He was shot in the thigh, the pelvis, and stomach. The round of ammunition burned up his insides. Doctors took out half his colon, so he ended up with a colostomy bag. “My thigh rode up, broke into fragments, and went into my stomach,” Paul says, “My nerves were done. I couldn’t use my leg for two years. I could stand, but I couldn’t lift it up to walk.” Paul says he couldn’t eat and left the hospital at 98 pounds.

Paul didn’t give up. He worked hard in physical therapy, and after two years was able to get rid of the leg brace the doctors told him he’d wear for the rest of his life. “I still have nerve pain, but I bite the bullet with it.” He endured a colostomy reversal, and now he’s free of the colostomy bag.

Paul tried Jiu-Jitsu and loved it instantly. “It didn’t hurt as much as I thought it would,” Paul says, “I didn’t think I’d be able to do anything good again. My life was going so well, then I got shot and it went down the tubes…until I found Jiu-Jitsu.”

Paul had two fights at the GB tournament. He won one and lost the other. Paul says the best part of his day was getting an armbar in his first match. “There’s nothing like that – knowing I can get it now!” Paul says if anyone learns anything from his experience it’s, “whenever the going gets tough, you just have to remember there’s other people out there living a tougher life.”

Paul had no idea the opponent he armbarred was someone living a tougher life. Brandon Mendez is a light featherweight white belt from GB Corona under Tom Reusing. “Brandon’s constant positive attitude is an inspiration to all of us,” Reusing says. Brandon grew up on the mean streets of Santa Ana, hung with the wrong crowd, and got into trouble. “I joined the Marines and it straightened me up,” Brandon says, “Got me off the streets and gave me direction.”

Paul Nguyen and Brandon Mendez

In 2007 Brandon was in Iraq working on a freeway overpass, which was a permanent check point. Brandon says, “We were looking out for suicide bombers when one went under the freeway with 3000 pounds of explosives and detonated himself.” Everything went black, then white, then Brandon was thrown in the air and slammed to the ground. “I didn’t know what happened,” Brandon says, “I tried to stand up, but couldn’t. I tried to wipe my face with my hand, but it was dangling by a piece of skin. I started screaming. I thought I was going to die.”

Brandon Mendez trying to pass Paul Nguyen's guard

After what seemed like an eternity, a fellow Marine came and put a tourniquet on his arm, which saved his life. He was flown to Maryland for multiple surgeries and then to San Diego for physical and mental therapy. “It took me a year to recover,” Brandon says, “I had two heel fractures and I couldn’t walk for four months. The doctors said they might have to amputate my feet. I’m grateful that didn’t happen.”

When Brandon first started Jiu-Jitsu it wasn’t easy. “I don’t have a left hand, so I learned using my stub. It was painful,” Brandon says, “My heels also hurt when I was on my knees because they’d stretch out, but I toughed it out.” Brandon says what he enjoys the most is that the guys he rolls with don’t take it easy on him. “I’m not different,” Brandon says, “So I don’t want any special treatment.”

Although Brandon lost his first match, he was happy with himself nonetheless, “You win or you learn, so I feel good,” he says, “I know eventually I’ll win. I feel part of something that’s bigger than me. I think that’s what humans seek in life and I’m thankful I found it in Jiu-Jitsu.”

“After I got out of the Marines, I felt sorry for myself, like I wasn’t going to amount to anything anymore,” Brandon says, “I felt broken. The Marines made me a machine and what do you do when that machine is broken?” Brandon’s inspirational performance on the mats makes it very clear that what you do is Jiu-Jitsu.

Joe Youkhan is an Ultraheavyweight blue belt from GB Mission Viejo. In college, he was a wrestler, on track to make the Olympics. Unfortunately, he severely herniated his lower spine. “It was instantly tight. The next day, I couldn’t walk. It hurt if I swallowed. I could feel the pain run down my back and leg when I moved.”

Joe Youkhan dominating in his 1st match

Joe says it was tough to think he could have been in the Olympics and didn’t get to fulfill his dream, “But what could I do? I was immobilized by pain. Every morning I woke up and couldn’t move.” Over the next ten years, Joe became depressed and gained weight. “I’ve always been a big guy. I was 6’3” and 315 pounds at 14.”

Once he hurt his back, though, he got up to 385 pounds, and wasn’t training. He found Jiu-Jitsu and his life began to change. “When I get on the mats, none of it exists. I don’t even know how to express my gratitude to GB for all it’s done for me. It’s the world to me.”

Joe’s back is a constant source of concern for him, so he wants to enjoy Jiu-Jitsu for as long as he can. “All I work on is technique without strength. I want to protect my back so I can do this forever.”

Joe won both his matches and took home gold for the second year. “It’s very satisfying,” Joe says, “I believe that you win or you learn, so I’m always happy as long as I give my best. I was grateful to represent professor Gustavo (Pires). It was amazing hearing my sons cheer me on in my matches.” Joe says because of his injuries, he doesn’t have the ability to “smash” anymore. However, if you talk to his opponents, they would not agree with this statement!

One person who definitely wouldn’t agree is Mike Payne from GB San Clemente. Mike is a 46-year-old blue belt in the Ultraheavyweight division. “When I grabbed Joe, I tried to throw him, and he didn’t move. He looked at me like, ‘what are you doing?’ After the match he said he couldn’t move me, but I was hanging on for dear life!”

Mike Payne trying for a takedown

Everyone at GBSC loves Mike Payne. He’s a kind and happy guy who’s always laughing and joking on the mats. However, what many don’t know is that behind the levity belies a seriousness that is a part of his everyday life. “I had my first heart attack at 37. The doctors gave me a 5% chance I’d live to 40. So, I lost a lot of weight and started racing bikes. Then I wrecked in a race, broke my neck, and was paralyzed. I couldn’t move at all. I had surgery and things came back after a year, but I still couldn’t use my arms very well.”

Mike eventually went back to racing bikes, but had another heart attack. He gained a lot of weight and knew he had to find something new to do. He found Jiu-Jitsu and the rest is history. Mike says, “The year before I started Jiu-Jitsu, I was in the hospital four times to open my arteries. I now have 8 stents. Since I started Jiu- Jitsu, I haven’t been in the hospital once. I think it’s because I’ve been praying, training, and improving my diet.”

Joe Youkhan and Mike Payne sparring

A happy Mike Payne after his final match

Mike says the doctors hold out no hope for him. “I will probably have another heart attack,” he says, “I’ve been to three cardiologists and they’ve all told me I won’t live past 50…I’m 46 now.” Facing such adversity would seem untenable for most, but Mike’s quiet faith in God and his passion for Jiu-Jitsu keep him so peaceful, you would never know that he deals with life and death daily. “I’m so grateful to God and for Jiu-Jitsu,” he says, “I wasn’t in the hospital once this year, plus I got to roll with my GB Family. It was a blessing.” Mike came in second place at the GB Season Opener, “I was really happy because I tried hard. Jiu-Jitsu has changed my life.”

These soldiers of life inspire us as they valiantly conquer their struggles without batting an eye. The battles they fight on a daily basis would keep lesser men paralyzed with fear, but not them. They continue to power on with gratitude for all they have and in hope for all they can accomplish. They help the rest of us see that we can always fight harder, train longer, and be more appreciative of all that we have in our own lives, on the mats and off.

Frankie receiving his blue belt from Coach Felipe and Coach Charles

Frankie’s start in Jiu-Jitsu was rocky. He’d just moved to California from North Carolina. Like any new student, he was eager to learn and excited to go to class, so, in the beginning, he trained every day. As time passed, though, he was seen less and less. He was living with his mom and stepdad, Paul, who also trains in Jiu-Jitsu. He’d lost some of his independence in the move, became homesick, and subsequently, lost his focus. “I kept thinking how weird it was to live with my parents,” Frankie says. “I wanted to do my own thing, plus, I missed my friends back home.”

So, Frankie moved back to North Carolina to recapture his old life, but as the saying goes, “You can never go back home.” In Frankie’s case, that old adage was true. He left behind his new life, only to discover that his old life wasn’t the same anymore. He had changed, and Jiu-Jitsu was a big reason why. “I missed it,” he said. “The BJJ philosophy changed me. I was living a healthy lifestyle in California. When I went back to North Carolina, I wasn’t living that way anymore. I felt less focused in my life.” Frankie says he never wanted to quit Jiu-Jitsu. The move back home was just something he needed to do to put his past to rest.

For those of you addicted to the gentle art, you may have experienced a similar situation. Frankie had reached his limit in life, and he considered letting Jiu-Jitsu go, but it somehow drew him closer to it. It’s what people call, “the BJJ Lifestyle.” It’s not just about the sport, but also the people you meet, the family you create, and the feelings of peace in your soul you get from doing it. Once you’re hooked, the dedication and commitment to the sport are elementary. Jiu-Jitsu becomes who you are and you naturally embrace the lifestyle.

Jiu-Jitsu was like a magnet and pulled Frankie back to California to reconnect with it. One of his coaches remembers him coming back. “He came in and watched his stepdad Paul train,” says Charles Gomes, “He looked like a little kid in a candy shop – wanting it so badly, but not being able to buy it. He marveled at every technique taught in class. You could tell he wanted to get back on the mats and spar with the other students.”

But Frankie hesitated to get back on the mats. He says Paul kept telling him to go train. “Professor Flavio would say, ‘Where’s your gi?’” Frankie says, “And the coaches would tell me not to quit. They encouraged me to continue and told me I was doing good here.”

Frankie wondered, though, if Gracie Barra would accept him back. “Paul said they’d accept me anytime, anywhere,” he said, “They’re very accepting people and it was true. When I came back, it was like nothing had changed. I hit the ground running with no hurdles.”

Frankie’s fears of being blocked in his return to Jiu-Jitsu were unfounded. He picked up right where he left off. “I felt better because I was committed this time,” he said, “This is who I am now. They made it easy for me. I didn’t have to fight myself or anyone else to come back.”

Frankie says he likes Jiu-Jitsu because it’s “kind of like a safe haven for me.” When he goes to train, he says he feels like life outside the mats doesn’t exist. “It erases any stress I may have and just keeps me calm and focused,” he says, “My mind goes blank and opens up for learning. I also like it because it keeps me active and in shape. I’m approaching the best shape of my life! Need I say more?”

Frankie competing for the first time as a white belt at the GB Season Opener

Frankie became a part of the GBSC Staff where he’s the assistant instructor for the kids program. “He’s a very valuable member of our staff,” Coach Charles says, “He works with the students to make them better and he carries himself in a way the kids really respect. Frankie attends all the kid’s classes and helps them patiently and respectfully.”

Frankie recently accomplished that elusive goal he wanted so much. He received his blue belt from Coach Felipe Guedes and he was completely surprised by the honor. “He looked around to see if there was another Frankie in class,” Coach Charles jokes, “Nope, just him. Then he walked up and received his blue belt.”

Coach Charles says he had the honor of being Frankie’s last training partner for the day. “When someone gets their blue belt, I make it a little harder for them than I normally do,” he says, “We had a great roll for six minutes and I pushed the pace, but this time I felt a little more pressure from him.”

When they were done sparring, Coach Felipe, who was watching the roll and evaluating their progress, said ”Guys, I want you to train like that everyday. It’s time for you to push each other because that’s what’s going to make us all better.”

Frankie says the thing he likes the most about Jiu-Jitsu is how it brings everyone together like a family. “Everyone’s on the mats to learn with each other and from each other. Everyone’s also willing to open their minds to new ideas on the mats. If you have a question about a technique or even a situation at home, your GB family/friends will be there. The camaraderie that Jiu-Jitsu brings is second to none.”

Frankie takes a moment to reflect on his journey from white belt to blue. “It’s my life now,” he says, “The whole journey was a discovery to realize that jiu jitsu is who I am.”

When Marcelo got home and went there, he signed up right away to start training. “It was the best thing I did in my life,” he says. His instructor was Marcio Feitosa, who was a purple belt at the time. His professor was José Leão Teixeira, aka Ze Beleza. “Everything I know – my fundamentals – I got from Professor Marcio and Professor Beleza. Professor Soca was my 2^nd teacher. He is now the owner of Soca Jiu-Jitsu. I learned all of my submissions from him.”

Marcelo says GB Rio is like GB America in Irvine. It’s a two-story building with two mats. The adults trained upstairs and the kids trained downstairs. Marcelo says he trained every day, five days a week, two hours a day. Some of the other students he trained with included Professor Marco Joca, Igor Gracie, Gregor Gracie, and Professor Rafael Ramos (GB Encinitas). “I never trained with Professor Flavio (Almeida),” Marcelo says, “He went upstairs to train with the adults as soon as possible. He’s always been a pretty big guy.”

Marcelo finally got his chance to train upstairs when he became an orange belt at the age of 15. “Everybody was there,” Marcelo says, “Ryan Gracie; Renzo Gracie used to come train; Flavio, and Marcio – you got to see all the black belts – the one’s who’d win all the tournaments. It was a privilege to watch them train. It was even more of a privilege when I got to train and spar with them. It was amazing.”

Marcelo showing his students a technique

Marcelo says the students also got to train and spar with Master Carlos, which he says was an honor. Master Carlos was at the school every day. Sometimes he would teach classes and sometimes he would spar with the students. He set a good example for all of the instructors and students to follow.

“When I got my purple belt, I asked Professor Marcio if I could help instruct,” Marcelo says, “He said, ‘yes,’ so, I started coaching on the mats. Gustavo (Pires) and Marcelo (Souza) used to help, too.” Eventually, Marcelo started teaching the morning classes at GB Rio. He received his black belt at the end of 2005.

In 2009 Marcelo had the opportunity to teach for Gracie Barra in the U.S. His first stop was Tennessee and then was asked to teach in California. Marcelo started teaching at GB America in Irvine for a couple of months, then moved on to GB Anaheim Hills. Soon after, Marcelo started teaching at GB Dana Point and GB San Clemente.

Marcelo with Carlos Eduardo Ferreira Guimaraes at a GB Instructor's Meeting

Students should know that they are in very good hands with Marcelo. He’s a 3-time national champion, a multi-time state champion and he took 3^rd in the Worlds as a purple belt. “I love competing, but teaching is my passion,” Marcelo says, “I think it’s the best thing you can do. I really enjoy passing my knowledge on to others. I followed what Master Carlos, Professor Marcio, and other professors did. I don’t have to be the best; I just have to help others and pass along my knowledge. I love to do that. My students have become my friends.”

Marcelo says he’s having a lot of fun at all the GB schools where he teaches. “All the students are really cool,” he says, “I’m meeting a lot of new people and they’re really nice. I’m glad to be here.”