Professor Ivan José Rocha Araruna é faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu, graduado no ano de 2010. Ele conversou com a reportagem do GRACIEMAG.com sobre o panorama da arte marcial nos EUA, em especial em sua região, na Flórida. Confira os melhores momentos do bate-papo.

GRACIEMAG: Professor Ivan, please tell us about your journey and your role at Gracie Barra Citrus Park in Tampa, Florida.

IVAN ROCHA: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been my life’s work for over two decades. Throughout this journey, I have dedicated myself not only to technical excellence, but also to using Jiu-Jitsu as a tool to transform lives. At Gracie Barra Citrus Park, I serve as the head instructor and leader of the academy, overseeing athlete development, competition preparation, and the overall growth of our community. My mission has always been to build more than strong competitors — I strive to help develop disciplined, confident, and resilient individuals.

In a relatively short period of time, GB Citrus Park has shown remarkable growth. What do you believe has driven this success?

Sustainable growth is never accidental. It comes from consistency, trust, and genuine commitment to people. When students join our academy, they quickly understand that they are becoming part of something bigger than just a training facility. We have built an environment based on discipline, respect, technical excellence, and family values. This culture has allowed the academy to grow significantly while maintaining high training standards and strong personal connections with every student.

Your athletes have achieved good results in major competitions across the United States. How do you approach athlete development?

Competition results are a reflection of structured preparation and long-term development. I emphasize technical precision, strategic intelligence, mental resilience, and discipline under pressure. Every athlete develops differently, so my coaching is highly individualized. What makes me proud is not only seeing students on podiums at prestigious tournaments, but witnessing their personal growth — learning discipline, confidence, and perseverance through Jiu-Jitsu.

Beyond competition, how has the academy impacted the local community in Tampa?

The impact goes far beyond medals. Our academy has become a place where children gain confidence, adults improve physical and mental health, and families strengthen their bonds. We have helped students overcome insecurity, anxiety, lack of discipline, and sedentary lifestyles. For many families, Gracie Barra Citrus Park has become a second home. That community impact is one of the most meaningful aspects of my work.

You have also become known for your work with women and children. Why is this important to you?

Women and children represent one of the most powerful transformations we witness through Jiu-Jitsu. For women, training often develops confidence, self-defense skills, and mental strength. For children, Jiu-Jitsu builds discipline, emotional control, respect, and resilience from an early age. Creating a safe, positive, and empowering environment for them is one of the most important responsibilities I have as an instructor and leader

What legacy do you hope to leave through your work in the US?

My greatest goal is to leave a legacy of excellence, integrity, and positive impact. I want to be remembered not only for producing successful athletes, but for helping build stronger people and stronger communities. If, through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I can positively influence lives and inspire future generations, then I know my mission is being fulfilled.

 

• Follow professor Ivan, here.

 

Professor Ivan Rocha among Gregor and his wife Camila Almeida. Photo: Personal Files

Is it the winning team that makes a gold medalist athlete, or are the young champions the ones who forge a winning team?

Black belt and leader of GB in Tampa, Florida, champion Ivan Rocha has reaped the rewards of persistent work and an intelligent training philosophy that seeks to motivate young athletes without harmful pressure.

In recent months, the professor known as Cabecinha has seen his son and his purple belt wife win Pan-American gold.

His son, young Gregor Rocha, won the Pan Kids. Instructor Camila Almeida became Pan-American champion while still a blue belt.

In a conversation with the GRACIEMAG.com team, the experienced Ivan reflected on the paths and pitfalls that young competitors face, and gave essential lessons on motivation, parental support, and training philosophy. To learn more, follow @GBtampa.citruspark on Instagram.

GRACIEMAG: What mistakes do parents and teachers often make at the beginning of a young champion’s journey?

IVAN “CABECINHA” ROCHA: When the dream of creating a champion becomes greater than the child’s development, the consequence can be the loss of the joy of training. This happens for various reasons, but the biggest enemy of young athletes is excessive pressure. It’s that forcing of the issue that only brings emotional pressure and harms the child and everyone around them.

Are there other mistakes?

Yes, several. Another very common mistake in Jiu-Jitsu and other sports is constantly comparing their child to other athletes. They forget that each child has their own pace of development. Parents have a fundamental role in support, encouragement, and example – it’s necessary to be aware that champions are built with patience, discipline, and love for what they do, not just with the pursuit of medals and titles. I’ve seen many talents give up not for lack of skill, but for excessive pressure. The role of parents is not to be a coach, referee, or enforcer. It’s to be the child’s safe haven.

In your experience, how can family become a truly safe haven?

When a child knows they will be supported regardless of the outcome, they develop confidence and have a much greater chance of reaching their true potential. I made many mistakes in this process with my son, Gregor. As a father and teacher at the same time, it was often difficult to separate these two roles. At times, the coach’s demands ended up overshadowing the father’s perspective.

How did you correct this in yourself?

It’s all about time and wisdom, that ability to see that things aren’t working and correct course. I gradually learned that my son needed my support and understanding more than my demands. It was a learning process for me too. Little by little, I’ve been seeking this balance, understanding that the formation of an athlete is important, but the formation of a happy and confident human being is even more valuable. Finding this balance has been a constant learning process.

What was your attitude when you called him up for tournaments?

Well, I never forced him to compete. The decision to participate in championships was always his, and I always respected his choices. What I told him, since he was little, was that I would really like to see him become a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu one day. And not because of medals or titles, but because I know the transformative impact that Jiu-Jitsu has on people’s lives. After more than 25 years living this sport, I know that the true value of Jiu-Jitsu goes far beyond competitions. It teaches discipline, respect, perseverance, humility, and confidence. My greatest desire has never been just to create a champion on the mat, but to help shape a man prepared for life’s challenges.

How did you manage to keep the fun side of the competition?

Balancing fun and results is one of the biggest challenges for any family involved in competitive sports. Gregor is 15 years old now, he trains and competes at a high level, so naturally there are responsibilities, goals, and sacrifices. But I always tried to remember that, before being an athlete, he’s a teenager. There are times when he needs to give up outings, parties, or being with friends to train or compete. It’s part of the choice for those seeking great results. At the same time, I believe he needs to live the normal experiences of his age, create memories, have fun, and enjoy his youth.

So it’s all a matter of communication. Dialogue and eye contact, always. Like anything else in life, actually.

Exactly, the balance happens through dialogue – between father and children, between students and teachers. Not everything can be training and competition, just as not everything can be fun. We try to organize the routine so that he can pursue his goals on the mats without losing his adolescence, you know?

And what do you say to Gregor and other young students so that they understand all this?

I often repeat that results cannot define the happiness of a young athlete. If he wins, great. If he loses, life goes on. Sport needs to be a tool for growth and not a source of harmful pressure. When this balance exists, the athlete can evolve, compete at a high level and, at the same time, enjoy the journey.

Ivan, how do you motivate your son after a potentially bad result?

My first reaction is to remind my son that his worth isn’t tied to a medal or the outcome of a competition. In sports, winning and losing are part of the growth process. Whenever a championship ends, regardless of the result, our first message to him is: “It’s okay. Keep your head up. We love you very much. We’re a team, and winning or losing, we’ll always be together.” The child needs to feel that the love and support of the family don’t depend on the result they had that day. I also try to show him how proud I am, but not because of the medals.

What are you most proud of about Gregor today?

My greatest pride is seeing the human being he is becoming. Seeing his character, his discipline, his humility, his courage, and the way he treats people. That’s worth much more than any title. As a father, that’s the greatest reward I can receive. Afterwards, we talk about what we learned from that experience. We analyze together what went well and what can be improved. And the message is always the same: let’s train together, let’s evolve together, and let’s prepare for the next opportunity. I always say that the true champion isn’t the one who never loses. The true champion is the one who never gives up and is always striving to improve, whether in competitions, training, or personal life. That’s what I try to teach him every day.

And you have your own medals and mementos to help him with that, right?

Exactly. Because, in the end, the medals are kept in a box, but the values that sport teaches last a lifetime. We strive for him to have a champion’s mindset. If that’s what he truly wants for his life, then he needs to stay strong, with discipline, focus, and an ever-growing desire to improve.

How do you measure the progress of your students?

It’s something much broader than just the color of the medal. Winning championships is great, it’s important, it’s the goal of any athlete who competes at a high level, and there’s nothing wrong with wanting to win. But we emphasize that the most important thing is not to forget the incredible human being they are becoming, and will continue to become. Because true progress isn’t just in the result, but in how they grow as a person. Having a champion’s mindset means continuing to improve every day, even after victories or defeats. It’s about learning, adjusting, persisting, and never giving up. That’s what we try to build in them: a strong mentality on the mat and an even better person outside the gym.

What were your assessments of his performance at the Pan Kids, in the two fights he had?

The Pan Kids is always a special experience because it brings together the best young athletes in the world and demands not only technique but also emotional maturity. In this edition, he had two very solid fights. In the first match, he was winning 8-0 and managed to finish with great control and precision. In the final, he won 5-0, also with a consistent performance from start to finish, maintaining total control of the fight. A detail is that in both fights, he didn’t concede any points or advantages, which shows the level of dominance and confidence he displayed during the competition. It was incredible; after all, he fought intelligently and strategically, forcing his opponents into his game. He managed to dictate the pace and impose his style, something that has been extensively trained and built over time. More than the victories, what caught my attention was this technical and mental mastery. Overall, it was a productive competition. The result came, but the most important thing was how he competed: with intelligence, control, and maturity. This shows that all the work has been well done and confirms that he is on the right track.

“Sempre fui muito competitivo e um dos fatores que atraiu a minha atenção para o Jiu-Jitsu foi o fato de que qualquer pessoa, independente de idade ou forma física, podia competir”, relembra o professor Ivan Rocha, o Cabecinha, nosso GMI à frente da escola Gracie Barra Citrus Park, em Tampa, na Flórida.

“Lutei meu primeiro campeonato ainda na adolescência, com dois meses de treino e pesando 64Kg. Foi uma sensação única, um misto de empolgação e alegria que alimentaram ainda mais a minha crescente paixão pelo Jiu-Jitsu. Competi bastante até a faixa-roxa, mas decidi me dedicar mais às aulas e acabei desacelerando na marrom e na preta. Queria que meus alunos sentissem a mesma alegria que eu sentia no Jiu-Jitsu, então preferi dedicar meu tempo a alimentar esse sentimento de conquista em cada um deles”, diz Cabecinha.

“É muito gratificante ver meus alunos superarem desafios e lutarem com paixão para conquistar o pódio. Essa emoção é algo que pude sentir com frequência, por conta da equipe forte e competitiva em que me formei na Itália. Para um professor, essa é uma experiência que não tem preço, é o sonho de todo profissional que se dedica ao ensino. Ver a vitória dos meus alunos é algo que me completa e me faz feliz.”

GRACIEMAG: Em que ano você pegou a faixa-preta e das mãos de quem? Qual a melhor memória deste dia?
Conquistei a faixa-preta em 2010, pelas mãos do meu amigo Alexandre Batatinha, na Itália. Após longos dez anos de Jiu-Jitsu, receber a preta com o tatame cheio, cercado de alunos e amigos, foi uma experiência única e inexplicável. A energia naquele dia era só amizade, alegria e parceria, conseguia sentir que todos estavam felizes pela minha conquista. Diante de tudo isso, não aguentei e chorei igual uma criança (risos). Sempre digo que a emoção desse dia só perde para o nascimento do meu filho, que foi o dia mais emocionante da minha vida.

Qual o melhor ensinamento da sua época de atleta que você sempre passa aos seus alunos?
Gosto de ressaltar a importância de dar o nosso melhor em tudo que fazemos. Com amor, foco e disciplina, nenhuma meta é impossível e nenhum objetivo é inalcançável. Aprendi isso na minha fase de competidor, quando lutava com raça e sem dar importância às dificuldades, sempre focado na alegria de simplesmente estar na arena e me testar. Ensino aos meus alunos que a técnica e a vontade caminham lado a lado, sempre dependendo uma da outra para que você seja triunfante. Esses dois fatores dependem apenas da dedicação, que por sua vez depende do quanto você quer ser vitorioso.

Entre os talentos da academia, o filho Gregor Rocha (foto acima).  

Professor Ivan Rocha é faixa-preta de Jiu-Jitsu desde 2010. Foto: Reprodução

Texto: Ivan Rocha*

 O Jiu-Jitsu traz inúmeros benefícios à saúde mental do praticante. Vivemos num mundo em que boa parte das pessoas sofre de ansiedade e/ou depressão. Jamais se viu uma sociedade tão frágil quanto a atual. Cada vez mais o ser humano sente a necessidade de algo que possa suprir um vazio, um item mágico que possa aliviar a pressão e tirar o foco delas dos problemas. 

Um dos grandes benefícios do Jiu-Jitsu está na melhora da concentração e do foco. Por exemplo, durante um treino ou uma competição de Jiu-Jitsu, um detalhe faz toda a diferença porque às vezes precisamos pensar e executar mais de um movimento num curto intervalo de tempo. Se você não se mantiver atento, seu desempenho pode sofrer uma queda. 

Os valores e a filosofia do Jiu-Jitsu te tornam mais calmo, centrado e equilibrado. A prática  da arte suave ajuda a nossa mente a ficar mais forte e blindada contra o estresse e a depressão. O exercício de atividades físicas auxilia na liberação da dopamina – hormônio  responsável pelo nosso bem estar e prazer – e, com isso, temos a autoconfiança reerguida. 

Além destas melhorias na saúde mental, o Jiu-Jitsu é primordial para manter a forma física e combater ou prevenir doenças, como a obesidade. Estabelecer uma rotina de treinos e praticar atividades físicas com regularidade estimulam os ganhos de massa corporal e são aspectos valorosos para você impulsionar seu rendimento no tatame.

Se estamos com a mente equilibrada, reduzimos o nível de ansiedade e conseguimos dormir melhor. A qualidade do sono é crucial para enfrentarmos os nossos desafios do cotidiano, seja dentro ou fora do tatame. Dormir bem é sinônimo de qualidade de vida.

Ivan Rocha foi graduado faixa-preta pelo professor Alexandre Vasconcelos. Foto: Reprodução

O Jiu-Jitsu deixa o praticante pronto para encarar qualquer pressão nos âmbitos profissional e pessoal. Os constantes perrengues nos treinos e a situações de desconforto nos ensinam na prática o poder da consistência e do esforço. Depois de resistirmos àquele aperto, nos sentimos preparados para confrontar a maior das adversidades.  

Defendo esses pontos porque respiro o Jiu-Jitsu há 23 anos. Foi no tatame onde eu aprendi grandes lições que me moldaram. Entendi que somos mais fortes do que imaginamos e devemos correr atrás dos nossos sonhos. Também aprendi que a saúde física e mental são os bens mais preciosos que nós temos, por isso, devemos nos cuidar física e mentalmente.

Acredito que a preparação mental seja mais desafiadora do que a física, porque é a nossa mente que nos guia. Nossa mentalidade nos impulsiona ou bloqueia nossas ações. O medo é inerente ao ser humano, mas não podemos ser dominados por essa sensação. Quando o medo e a ansiedade nos vencem, nos tornamos impotentes perante à situação. Eu sempre falo aos meus alunos que o sucesso está à nossa frente, no entanto, é preciso pagar o preço. 

Acredite em cada conquista como se ela já existisse. É interessante treinar com atletas  mais fortes e com o nível de Jiu-Jitsu acima do seu, esses fatores deixam a nossa mente mais confiante e nosso físico mais forte. Diante da dura rotina diária e a pressão por resultados, é aconselhável aos atletas de alto rendimento o investimento em psicólogos para fortalecer a mente. 

Passei a valorizar a preparação mental há cerca de 15 anos, quando percebi que os alunos iniciantes começavam a treinar em razão da baixa autoestima. Após poucos meses no Jiu-Jitsu, eles apresentaram uma evolução significativa em diversos aspectos, como na socialização com os parceiros de treino, recuperação da autoconfiança e na hipertrofia muscular. Esses pequenos ganhos diários sempre me deixaram realizado como professor. Isso me estimulava a seguir em frente com o meu trabalho e reforçar para eles que é essencial manter a mente e o corpo alinhados. O Jiu-Jitsu é a ferramenta que uso para transformar a vida dos meus alunos e passar os ensinamentos que aprendi com os meus professores.

* O professor GMI Ivan Rocha é faixa-preta do terceiro grau de Jiu-Jitsu e representa a Gracie Barra.

Professor Ivan Rocha is a Jiu-Jitsu black belt since 2010. Photo: Personal arquive

Author: Ivan Rocha

Jiu-Jitsu brings numerous benefits to a student’s mental health. We live in a world where most people suffer from anxiety and/or depression. We have never seen a society as fragile as the present one. More and more the human being feels the need for something that can fill a void, a magic item that can relieve the pressure and take their focus off the problems.

One of the great benefits of Jiu-Jitsu is the improvement of concentration and focus. For example, during a training session or a Jiu-Jitsu competition, a detail makes all the difference. Sometimes we need to think and execute more than one movement in a short period of time. If you don’t keep yourself aware, your performance can decline. 

The values and philosophy of Jiu-Jitsu make you calmer, more centered, and balanced. The practice of the soft art helps our mind to become stronger and armored against stress and depression. Physical activity helps in the release of dopamine – the hormone responsible for our well-being and pleasure – and, as a result, our self-confidence is boosted. 

Besides these improvements in mental health, Jiu-Jitsu is primordial to keep fit and fight or prevent diseases such as obesity. Establishing a training routine and practicing physical activities regularly stimulate body mass gains and are valuable aspects to boost your performance on the mat.

If we have a balanced mind, we reduce our anxiety levels and are able to sleep better. The quality of sleep is crucial for us to face our daily challenges, whether on or off the mat. A good night’s sleep is synonymous with quality of life.

Jiu-Jitsu leaves the practitioner ready to face any pressure in the professional and personal spheres. The constant hardships in training and uncomfortable situations teach us in practice the power of consistency and effort. Once we have withstood that pinch, we feel prepared to confront the greatest adversity.  

Ivan Rocha was graduated as black belt by professor Alexandre Vasconcelos. Photo: Personal archive

I stand for these arguments because I have been training Jiu-Jitsu for 23 years. It was on the mat where I learned great lessons that shaped me. I understood that we are stronger than we imagine and that we must run after our dreams. I also learned that physical and mental health are the most precious assets we have, so we must take care of ourselves physically and mentally.

I believe that mental preparation is more challenging than physical preparation, because it is our mind that guides us. Our mentality drives or blocks our actions. Fear is inherent to the human being, but we cannot be dominated by this feeling. When fear and anxiety overcome us, we become powerless in the face of the situation. I always tell my students that success is ahead of us, however, we must pay the price. 

Believe in each conquest as if it already existed. It is interesting to train with stronger athletes and with a higher level of Jiu-Jitsu than you, these factors make your mind more confident and your body stronger. Facing the hard daily routine and the pressure for results, it is advisable for high performance athletes to invest in psychologists to strengthen the mind.

I started to value mental preparation about 15 years ago, when I noticed that beginner students started training because of low self-esteem. After a few months in Jiu-Jitsu, they presented a significant evolution in several aspects, such as socialization with training partners, recovery of self-confidence, and muscle hypertrophy. These small daily gains always left me fulfilled as a teacher. This encouraged me to go on with my work and to reinforce to them that it is essential to keep mind and body aligned. Jiu-Jitsu is the tool I use to transform the lives of my students and pass on the teachings I have learned from my professors. 

* GMI professor Ivan Rocha is a third-degree black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and was trained at Gracie Barra Belo Horizonte.

Confira a entrevista do professor abaixo. Foto: Acervo pessoal

“Com amor, foco e disciplina, nenhuma meta é impossível e nenhum objetivo é inalcançável” ensina Ivan Rocha, GMI e professor de renome no cenário mundial do Jiu-Jitsu. Conhecido como “Cabecinha”, Ivan utiliza sua experiência, acumulada ao longo de 22 anos na arte suave como atleta e instrutor, para guiar e incentivar alunos a mostrarem seus melhores resultados dentro e fora dos tatames.

Com 15 anos investidos no ensino do Jiu-Jitsu, Ivan foi um dos pioneiros do esporte na Itália, onde liderou e fortaleceu a Gracie Barra Milão, firmando o status da equipe como uma das mais fortes da região. Apesar de seu sucesso na esfera competitiva, Cabecinha reserva seu fascínio pelo poder transformador do Jiu-Jitsu e ressalta como a arte suave tem o potencial para mudar a vida de todos, independente de características e dificuldades individuais.

Firme em sua missão de construir um mundo melhor através do Jiu-Jitsu, Ivan papeou com GRACIEMAG para explicar como a arte suave o ajuda a tocar a vida de seus alunos, a importância da dedicação e do amor no esporte e como a paixão pelo ensino contribuiu para sua evolução nos tatames. Confira nas linhas abaixo!

* Entre para o time GMI! *

GRACIEMAG: Como foi o seu início no esporte?

IVAN ROCHA: Meu primeiro contato com o Jiu-Jitsu foi pela televisão, ao assistir as lutas da família Gracie no Pride. Como eu já conhecia a arte marcial, não hesitei quando um amigo me convidou para um treino na casa dele. Tinha 17 anos na época e fiquei uma semana na casa dele, treinando e me apaixonando pelo Jiu-Jitsu. O esporte mexeu comigo de uma forma inédita, então não demorei para procurar uma equipe de Jiu-Jitsu e começar a treinar de verdade. Foi aí que conheci o professor Caveirinha, que na época liderava a Gracie Barra Caveirinha aqui em Belo Horizonte, e dei o primeiro passo na minha carreira na arte suave.

Amarrando a faixa após um confronto. Foto: Acervo pessoal

Assim que começou a prática, já teve interesse em competir?

Sempre fui muito competitivo e um dos fatores que atraiu a minha atenção para o Jiu-Jitsu foi o fato de que qualquer pessoa, independente de idade ou forma física, podia competir. Lutei meu primeiro campeonato ainda na adolescência, com dois meses de treino e pesando 64Kg. Foi uma sensação única, um misto de empolgação e alegria que alimentaram ainda mais a minha crescente paixão pelo Jiu-Jitsu. Competi bastante até a faixa-roxa, mas decidi me dedicar mais às aulas e acabei desacelerando na marrom e na preta. Queria que meus alunos sentissem a mesma alegria que sentia no Jiu-Jitsu, então preferi dedicar meu tempo a alimentar esse sentimento de conquista em cada um deles.

Em que ano você pegou a faixa-preta e das mãos de quem? Qual a melhor memória deste dia?

Conquistei a faixa-preta em 2010, pelas mãos do meu amigo Alexandre Batatinha, na Itália. Após longos dez anos de Jiu-Jitsu, receber a preta com o tatame cheio, cercado de alunos e amigos, foi uma experiência única e inexplicável. A energia naquele dia era só amizade, alegria e parceria, conseguia sentir que todos estavam felizes pela minha conquista. Diante de tudo isso, não aguentei e chorei igual uma criança (risos). Sempre digo que a emoção desse dia só perde para o nascimento do meu filho, que foi o dia mais emocionante da minha vida.

“Queria que meus alunos sentissem a mesma alegria que sentia no Jiu-Jitsu, então preferi dedicar meu tempo a alimentar esse sentimento de conquista em cada um deles”. Foto: Acervo pessoal

Você mencionou anteriormente que sua carreira de competidor acabou ficando em segundo plano, com a ocupação de professor se tornando a sua prioridade no Jiu-Jitsu. A que se deve esta mudança?

É difícil desempenhar esses dois papéis com excelência, por conta do esforço físico e mental que o Jiu-Jitsu exige de seus praticantes. Tive uma queda no meu rendimento como atleta, mas recebi em troca muita experiência e evolução como professor. É muito gratificante ver meus alunos superarem desafios e lutarem com paixão para conquistar o pódio. Essa emoção é algo que pude sentir com frequência, por conta da equipe forte e competitiva que formei na Itália. Meus alunos participavam de quase todos os campeonatos e tive a honra de assistir suas conquistas dentro e fora do país. Para um professor, essa é uma experiência que não tem preço, é o sonho de todo profissional que se dedica ao ensino. Ver a vitória dos meus alunos é algo que me completa e me faz feliz.

Qual o melhor ensinamento da sua época de atleta que você sempre passa aos seus alunos?

Gosto de ressaltar a importância de dar o nosso melhor em tudo que fazemos. Com amor, foco e disciplina, nenhuma meta é impossível e nenhum objetivo é inalcançável. Aprendi isso na minha fase de competidor, quando lutava com raça e sem dar importância às dificuldades, sempre focado na alegria da vitória. Ensino aos meus alunos que a técnica e a vontade caminham lado a lado, sempre dependendo uma da outra para que você seja triunfante. Esses dois fatores dependem apenas da dedicação, que por sua vez depende do quanto você quer ser vitorioso.

Ivan e seu filho no tatame. Foto: Acervo pessoal

Qual é a chave para ter uma equipe bem-sucedida no Jiu-Jitsu?

Acredito que o sucesso e a evolução de uma equipe dependem muito de quanto o líder ama o trabalho e se dedica ao mesmo. Quando o professor sente amor por seu ofício e propaga valores positivos, como disciplina e respeito, os alunos passam a sentir orgulho e gratidão de fazer parte da equipe. São esses os sentimentos que impulsionam esses praticantes e que aumentam o rendimento de cada um deles como atletas. Tudo isso parte do amor do professor, pois quem ama se dedica e busca evoluir, de forma a dar o seu melhor e instigar seus alunos a fazer o mesmo.

Já experiente e com muitos anos de bagagem no Jiu-Jitsu, como a sua visão da arte marcial mudou desde a sua época como faixa-branca?

Hoje tenho uma compreensão mais profunda do Jiu-Jitsu. Ele é mais que um esporte, é um estilo de vida voltado para formar pessoas de bem, com mentes fortes e corpos saudáveis. Desejo que todos tenham a oportunidade de experienciar o que o Jiu-Jitsu proporciona, pois vai muito além do bem estar. Sinto muita gratidão por ter conhecido essa arte marcial e por saber que, através dela, estou contribuindo para tornar a vida dos meus alunos melhor, formando pessoas equilibradas e, desta forma, fazendo minha parte para criar um mundo melhor.

Read the interview below. Photo: Personal archive

“With love, focus and discipline, no goal is impossible and no objective is unattainable” teaches Ivan Rocha, renowned teacher on the Jiu-Jitsu world scenario. Known as “Cabecinha”, Ivan uses his experience, accumulated over 22 years in the gentle art as an athlete and instructor, to guide and encourage students to show their best results on and off the mats.

With 15 years invested in teaching Jiu-Jitsu, Ivan was one of the pioneers of the sport in Italy, where he led and strengthened Gracie Barra Milan, establishing the team’s status as one of the strongest in the region. Despite his success in the competitive sphere, Cabecinha saves his fascination for the transforming power of Jiu-Jitsu and emphasizes how the gentle art has the potential to change everyone’s lives, regardless of individual characteristics and difficulties.

Firm in his mission to build a better world through Jiu-Jitsu, Ivan chatted with GRACIEMAG to explain how the gentle art helps him touch the lives of his students, the importance of dedication and love in the sport, and how the passion for teaching contributed to his evolution on the mats. Check the lines below!

GRACIEMAG: How was your start in the sport?

IVAN ROCHA: My first contact with Jiu-Jitsu was on television, watching the Gracie family fights in Pride. As I already knew the martial art, I didn’t hesitate when a friend invited me to a training session at his house. I was 17 at the time and spent a week at his house, training and falling in love with Jiu-Jitsu. The sport moved me in an unprecedented way, so it didn’t take me long to look for a Jiu-Jitsu team and start training for real. That’s when I met Professor Caveirinha, who at the time led Gracie Barra Caveirinha in Belo Horizonte, and took the first step in my career in Jiu-Jitsu.

Tying his belt after a duel. Photo: Personal archive

As soon as practice started, were you interested in competing?

I’ve always been very competitive and one of the factors that attracted my attention to Jiu-Jitsu was the fact that anyone, regardless of age or fitness, could compete. I fought my first championship when I was still a teenager, with two months of training and weighing 64Kg. It was a unique feeling, a mix of excitement and joy that fueled my growing passion for Jiu-Jitsu. I competed a lot until the purple belt, but I decided to dedicate myself more to classes and ended up slowing down at brown and black. I wanted my students to feel the same joy I felt in Jiu-Jitsu, so I preferred to devote my time to nurture this feeling of achievement in each of them.

In what year did you get your black belt and from whom? What is the best memory of this day?

I earned the black belt in 2010, at the hands of my friend Alexandre Batatinha, in Italy. After ten long years of Jiu-Jitsu, receiving the black belt with a full mat, surrounded by students and friends, was a unique and inexplicable experience. The energy that day was just friendship, joy, and partnership, I could feel that everyone was happy for my achievement. In the face of all that, I couldn’t stand it and cried like a child (laughs). I always say that the emotion of that day is second only to the birth of my son, which was the most emotive day of my life.

“I wanted my students to feel the same joy I felt in Jiu-Jitsu, so I preferred to devote my time to nurture this feeling of achievement in each of them”. Photo: Personal archive

You mentioned earlier that your competitive career ended up taking a back seat, with the occupation of teaching becoming your priority in Jiu-Jitsu. What is this change due to?

It’s difficult to play these two roles with excellence, due to the physical and mental effort that Jiu-Jitsu requires from its practitioners. I had a drop in my performance as an athlete, but in exchange, I received a lot of experience and evolution as a teacher. It is very gratifying to see my students overcome challenges and fight with the passion to win the podium. This emotion is something I was able to feel frequently, given the strong and competitive team I formed in Italy. My students participated in almost all championships and I had the honor of watching their achievements at home and abroad. For a teacher, this is a priceless experience, it is the dream of every professional who is dedicated to teaching. Seeing my students reach victory is something that completes me and makes me happy.

What is the best lesson from your time as an athlete that you always pass on to your students?

I like to emphasize the importance of doing our best in everything we do. With love, focus and discipline, no goal is impossible and no objective is unattainable. I learned this in my competitive phase when I fought avidly and without giving importance to difficulties, always focused on the joy of victory. I teach my students that technique and will go hand in hand, always relying on each other for you to be triumphant. These two factors only depend on dedication, which in turn depends on just how much you want to be victorious.

Ivan and his son on the mat. Photo: Personal archive

What is the key to having a successful Jiu-Jitsu team?

I believe that the success and evolution of a team depend a lot on how much the leader loves his work and is dedicated to it. When the teacher feels love for their craft and propagates positive values, such as discipline and respect, students begin to feel pride and gratitude for being part of the team. These are the feelings that drive these practitioners and increase the performance of each one of them as athletes. All this is part of the teacher’s love, because those who love are dedicated and seek to evolve, to give their best, and instigate their students to do the same.

With your many years of experience in Jiu-Jitsu, how has your view of the gentle art changed since your time as a white belt?

Today I have a deeper understanding of Jiu-Jitsu. It’s more than a sport, it’s a lifestyle aimed at forming good people, with strong minds and healthy bodies. I want everyone to have the opportunity to experience what Jiu-Jitsu provides, as it goes far beyond well-being. I am very grateful for having known this martial art and for knowing that, through it, I am contributing to making my students’ lives better, forming balanced people, and, in this way, doing my part to create a better world.

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