A alegria de Marcelo com o sucesso de seu filho e dos participantes de seu projeto. Foto: Reprodução

Em busca de expandir as fronteiras do Jiu-Jitsu e abrir portas para uma nova geração dentro do cenário competitivo, o faixa-preta Marcelo Ribeiro, líder da RMA Jiu-Jitsu, idealizou seu projeto de intercâmbio, o Xchange, com apoio da nossa parceira Braus Fight.

Em papo com o GRACIEMAG, o faixa-preta revelou detalhes sobre o método utilizado para selecionar atletas, os desafios de abrir sua própria academia e como a GFTeam auxiliou na execução da iniciativa, gerando frutos que refletiram no Jiu-Jitsu do filho prodígio João Marcelo, que ainda na faixa-roxa vem despontado nos maiores torneios dos EUA. Confira nas linhas abaixo!

GRACIEMAG: Em que momento você migrou com sua família para os EUA? Já foi na intenção de dar aulas de Jiu-Jitsu?

MARCELO RIBEIRO: Viemos para os Estados Unidos em 2006. Sempre tive vontade de migrar para cá, com o objetivo de proporcionar à minha família uma vida mais tranquila. Obviamente, o Jiu-Jitsu também fazia parte desse sonho, sempre almejei trazer o Jiu-Jitsu para a minha cidade e bairro, de forma a aumentar ainda o contato do Jiu-Jitsu comigo e com a minha família.

Quais foram os principais desafios de fundar a sua própria academia?

Abrimos nossa primeira academia em 2011. Focamos em criar a nossa metodologia de ensino, marketing, vendas e, principalmente, entender nosso público. Existe uma grande diferença entre o público brasileiro que pratica Jiu-Jitsu e o público americano. Minha esposa, Renata, que é formada em psicologia aqui nos Estados Unidos, me auxiliou na parte comportamental, que visa compreender a percepção das pessoas em relação a decisões de consumo. Nosso objetivo era ter uma noção sobre como nossos clientes se sentem, o que pensam e como agem em relação à nossa marca, nosso serviço e nossos produtos. A partir deste estudo, criamos cada detalhe da nossa marca, currículo e estabelecemos uma conexão com nossos clientes. Criamos uma empresa que fornece aulas de Jiu-Jitsu customizadas, separadas por idade. Hoje com mais de 400 alunos, em um condado de Nashville, temos a nossa RMA Matriz.

Equipe mirim da RMA Jiu-Jitsu. Foto: Reprodução

Como é sua relação com a GFTeam?

Iniciamos nossa parceria com a GFTeam em 2019. Além de ter sido coordenador de arbitragem da IBJJF por muitos anos, sou amigo e um grande admirador do mestre Júlio César, que lidera a equipe e a quem eu tive a honra de estabelecer uma amizade ainda no Brasil. Depois do grande sucesso que a RMA teve, tínhamos o sonho de patrocinar atletas brasileiros para participarem nas maiores competições aqui dos Estados Unidos. Depois de muitas conversas e análises de planilha, resolvemos iniciar o projeto Xchange, uma iniciativa que visa ajudar jovens atletas a gerir suas carreiras e aprender a língua inglesa. Através deste projeto, trouxemos atletas da GFTeam e assim iniciou nossa parceria e conexão com a equipe.

De onde surgiu a ideia de levar jovens atletas do Brasil para treinar na sua academia?

Inicialmente, seria um projeto pequeno, sem nome, aberto a todas as equipes, mas com somente um atleta por ano. Nosso filho mais velho tinha o objetivo de ir para uma faculdade no sul da Califórnia, então contávamos com uma situação financeira um pouco mais limitada no início do projeto. No entanto, ele recebeu uma oferta com bolsa de estudo em uma excelente faculdade aqui de Nashville, a mesma faculdade em que minha esposa se formou aqui, e decidiu ficar perto de casa. Desta forma, decidimos aumentar o projeto e, em 2019, recebemos o mestre Júlio aqui em casa para dividir ideias e definir objetivos para nossas equipes. Após experiências compartilhadas e outras conversas sobre negócios, definimos que o projeto Xchange seria exclusivo da GFTeam.

E como funciona o processo seletivo dos atletas que irão participar?

Alguns fazem aplicação para participar do projeto no nosso Instagram ou e-mail, enquanto outros chegam até nós por indicação. O processo é árduo e demorado, já que ouvimos e lemos todas as aplicações. É difícil porque são muitas histórias de guerreiros e infelizmente não podemos ajudar a todos. Depois que a seleção final é concluída, o mestre Júlio entra em contato com o professor do atleta ou até mesmo com o próprio, para estender o convite. É importante ressaltar que, apesar de ser integrado ao projeto, o atleta segue representando sua escola e professor. O objetivo do Xchange é trazer uma experiência diferente para este atleta e permitir que ele vivencie a parte de gestão aqui nos Estados Unidos, enquanto se mantém treinando e competindo. Os atletas recebem uma experiência de vida no exterior, convivendo com nossa família e envolvidos no esporte que escolheram. Temos aulas de inglês, preparação física e treinamentos específicos para as competições. Incluímos também viagens a passeio, para que eles possam vivenciar a experiência como um todo.

João Marcelo no pódio do American Nationals. Foto: Reprodução

Quais são os atuais integrantes do projeto Xchange?

O Xchange 2021 atualmente tem três atletas. Temos o Ismael Santos, um faixa-marrom da GFTeam Ceará e aluno do professor Elinor Batista. Recebemos também Luis Fernando Carvalho, um faixa-roxa da GFTeam Merck e aluno do professor Serginho Miranda. E por fim, temos o João Pedro Rodrigues, também aluno do professor Serginho na GFTeam Merck.

Essa troca de conhecimento acaba favorecendo não só os jovens que vão, mas também o seu jovem e ávido atleta João Marcelo, atual campeão do American Nationals. O que mudou no jogo dele e visão do Jiu-Jitsu depois do projeto?

Não só é sempre um excelente treino, mas também uma imensa troca de experiências, cultura e língua. João Marcelo estudou apenas inglês a vida toda e o dia-a-dia com os meninos também o ajuda muito no português. A nossa academia também fez a diferença na carreira dele. Mesmo antes do projeto, ele se preparou para todos os eventos deste ano, incluindo o American Nationals no qual foi campeão peso e absoluto, com nossos alunos da RMA. Diria que as experiências ajudaram não só o João Marcelo, mas a família toda.

O que você, professor e experiente faixa-preta, aprendeu com essas trocas de experiência?

Aprendi que a conexão humana é o que existe de mais poderoso no mundo. Mesmo sendo bem mais jovens, em torno da idade do meu filho, aprendo diariamente com eles. As histórias de vida, os momentos difíceis que passaram e a força incrível que cada um possui para correr atrás de seus sonhos nos ajuda a crescer. Hoje eu assumo o papel de “mestre”, que é como eles me chamam, mas também funciono como uma figura paterna, usando esse período de proximidade para guiá-los em direção ao sucesso. Às vezes, sou um pouco mais duro, assumindo o papel de instrutor e pai, mas minha esposa, tal qual uma mãe, se mostra mais flexível. Conversamos muito e desenvolvemos muito carinho por todos. Essa troca acaba sendo tão especial para nós quanto para eles e sabemos que, apesar do nosso tempo junto aos alunos ser limitado, a amizade e admiração será para sempre.

E quais são os próximos planos para o professor Marcelo Ribeiro e a RMA?

Além de continuar nossa parceria com a GFTeam, que nos auxiliou no processo de desenvolvimento e execução do projeto, pretendemos realizar um camp da Xchange no Brasil, mas ainda estamos definindo os detalhes desta nova aventura.

João Marcelo (à direita) e os participantes do Xchange. foto: Reprodução

Marcelo’s joy with the success of his son and the participants in his project. Photo: Reproduction

Seeking to expand the frontiers of Jiu-Jitsu and open doors to a new generation within the competitive scenario, black belt Marcelo Ribeiro, leader of RMA Jiu-Jitsu, conceived his exchange project, Xchange, with the support of our partner Braus Fight.

In a chat with GRACIEMAG, the black belt revealed details about the method used to select athletes, the challenges of opening his gym, and how GFTeam helped to carry out the initiative, generating fruit that reflected in the Jiu-Jitsu of prodigy son João Marcelo, who is still at purple belt, has been appearing in the biggest tournaments in the USA. Check the lines below!

GRACIEMAG: At what point did you and your family migrate to the US? Was it your intention to teach Jiu-Jitsu lessons?

MARCELO RIBEIRO: We came to the United States in 2006. I always wanted to migrate here, intending to provide my family with a more peaceful life. Jiu-Jitsu was also part of that dream, I always wanted to bring Jiu-Jitsu to my city and neighborhood, to further increase Jiu-Jitsu’s contact with me and my family.

What were the main challenges of founding your academy?

We opened our first academy in 2011. We focused on creating our teaching methodology, marketing, sales, and, most importantly, understanding our audience. There is a big difference between the Brazilian public that practices Jiu-Jitsu and the American public. My wife, Renata, who has a degree in psychology here in the United States, helped me with the behavioral part, which aims to understand people’s perceptions about consumption decisions. Our goal was to get a sense of how our customers feel, what they think, and how they act concerning our brand, our service, and our products. From this study, we created every detail of our brand, curriculum and established a connection with our customers. We created a company that provides customized Jiu-Jitsu classes, separated by age. Today with more than 400 students in Nashville county, we have our RMA Headquarters.

RMA Jiu-Jitsu’s junior team. Photo: Reproduction

How is your relationship with GFTeam?

We started our partnership with GFTeam in 2019. In addition to having been the IBJJF arbitration coordinator for many years, I am a friend and a great admirer of master Júlio César, who leads the team and with whom I had the honor of establishing a friendship while still in Brazil. After the great success that RMA had, we dreamt of sponsoring Brazilian athletes to participate in the biggest competitions here in the United States. After many conversations and spreadsheet analyses, we decided to start the Xchange project, an initiative that aims to help young athletes manage their careers and learn the English language. Through this project, we brought GFTeam athletes and thus started our partnership and connection with the team.

Where did the idea of ​​taking young athletes from Brazil to train at your academy come from?

Initially, it would be a small, unnamed project, open to all teams, but with only one athlete per year. Our oldest son was aiming to go to college in Southern California, so we had a limited budget at the beginning of the project. However, he was offered a scholarship to an excellent college here in Nashville, the same college my wife graduated from here, and he decided to stay close to home. Thus, we decided to increase the project and, in 2019, we received master Júlio at our home to share ideas and set goals for our teams. After sharing experiences and other conversations about business, we decided that the Xchange project would be exclusive to GFTeam.

And how does the selection process work for the athletes who will participate?

Some apply to participate in the project on our Instagram or email, while others come to us by referral. The process is arduous and time-consuming as we hear and read all the applications. It’s difficult because there are so many moving stories and unfortunately we can’t help them all. After the final selection is completed, Master Júlio gets in touch with the athlete’s teacher or even with the athlete himself, to extend the invitation. It is important to emphasize that, despite being integrated into the project, the athlete continues to represent his school and teacher. The goal of Xchange is to bring a different experience to this athlete and allow him to experience the management part here in the United States, while still training and competing. Athletes receive an experience of living abroad, with our family and being involved in their chosen sport. We have English classes, physical preparation, and specific training for competitions. We also include leisure trips so that they can experience the whole experience.

João Marcelo on the American Nationals podium. Photo: Reproduction

Who are the current members of the Xchange project?

Xchange 2021 currently has three athletes. We have Ismael Santos, a brown belt from GFTeam Ceará and a student of Professor Elinor Batista. We also received Luis Fernando Carvalho, a purple belt from GFTeam Merck, and a student of Professor Serginho Miranda. And finally, we have João Pedro Rodrigues, also a student of Professor Serginho at GFTeam Merck.

This exchange of knowledge ends up favoring not only the young people who are going but also your young and avid athlete João Marcelo, current champion of the American Nationals. What changed in his game and Jiu-Jitsu vision after the project?

Not only is it excellent training, but also an immense exchange of experiences, culture, and language. João Marcelo has only studied English all his life and his daily life with the boys helps him a lot with Portuguese. Our academy also made a difference in his career. Even before the project, he prepared for all of this year’s events, including the American Nationals in which he was champion at weight and open weight, with our RMA students. I would say that the experiences helped not only João Marcelo but the whole family.

What did you, teacher and experienced black belt, learn from these exchanges of experience?

I learned that the human connection is the most powerful thing in the world. Even though they’re much younger, around my son’s age, I learn daily from them. The life stories, the difficult moments they went through and the incredible strength that each one has developed to pursue their dreams help us to grow. Today I take on the role of “master”, which is what they call me, but I also function as a father figure, using this period of closeness to guide them towards success. Sometimes I am a little tougher, taking on the role of instructor and father, but my wife, like a mother, is more flexible. We talked a lot and developed a lot of affection for everyone. This exchange ends up being as special for us as it is for them and we know that, although our time with students is limited, the friendship and admiration will be forever.

And what are the next plans for Professor Marcelo Ribeiro and RMA?

In addition to continuing our partnership with GFTeam, which helped us in the development and execution process of the project, we intend to hold an Xchange camp in Brazil, but we are still defining the details of this new adventure.

João Marcelo (right) and Xchange participants. photo: Reproduction

Rodrigo, Marcelo

GMA member Rodrigo Mendes scheduled a special class in Florida.

The leader of Gracie Barra Delray Beach will welcome fellow black belt Marcelo Ribeiro.

The seminar is scheduled October 20th, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm.

The cost is US$ 30 form GB members and US$ 40 for non-members and sign ups end on October 19th.

Ribeiro is a third degree black belt under Carlos Gracie Jr.

For more info, go to rmbjj.com

Now we have added two Gracie Barra Schools in two different US states.

In Pennsylvannia, our new base is the city of Carslile.

In Tennessee, we welcome you to the world famous Nashville.

Both schools have one thing in common.

They work under the technical direction of 2nd degree black belt Marcelo Ribeiro.

For more info, go to gbcarlisle.com, graciebarranashville.com

Classes offered to the public will include adult, children’s, and women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu programs. Ribeiro says, “The kid’s program will be huge here in Nashville. There are a lot of families here and we are really excited to be able to bring them such an amazing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program.”

Master Carlos Gracie Jr. and Marcelo Ribeiro / Photo: personal archive

Ribeiro, who has more than just his upcoming three schools to celebrate, is also receiving his third stripe on his black belt from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. in a couple of weeks.

Ribeiro and Feitosa together are powerhouses in the Gracie Barra school system. Not only do they personally have extensive years of experience in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu itself but together they have created and built numerous successful GB schools around the United States, including in Florida, Texas, Pennsylvania, and now Tennessee.

In North Austin, Texas, for example, Ribeiro and Feitosa were able to build that GB school to 180 members in just under seven months. For more information about GB North Austin, contact Gbnorthaustin.com.

“We are now really looking forward to bringing our Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu experience and expertise to the Nashville area,” Ribeiro says. For the Nashville, Tennessee area Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy closest to you, please contact: www.Graciebarranashville.com.

Ellwanger with master Carlos Gracie Jr. Photo: Luca Atalla.

GB Louisiana’s Rafael Ellwenger is an excited man. He’s been pushing to have a big GB Tournament in the Southeast for a while, and the time has finally come. On October 23, 2010, the GB Competition Network 6 Southeast Tournament will be held in New Orleans, LA, at the University of New Orleans.

It’s the first GB Compnet event outside of California. Ellwenger thinks having the tournament in New Orleans is going to bring in a lot of people. “It’s central to all the southern schools and it’s a tourist city,” he says, “I think a lot of people will come – it’s a fun city to be in.”

The tournament targets all the GB schools in the Southeast and will draw in students from Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Florida, Arkansas, Tennessee, and Texas. Ellwenger hopes that even some people from California might show up because of the great venue.

We’re not going to New Orleans to party,” Ellwenger says, “We’re going to compete, but it’s a fun place to visit and there’s lots to do once you get there. People need to come out and support this event. If it’s successful, we’ll have more in the future.”

Ellwenger wants a lot of students to register for the tournament to show how organized and united GB is in the Southeast. “That’s my main goal,” he says, “I threw the biggest Carlos Gracie, Jr. seminar ever two years ago and I’m expecting to do great things again with this competition.”

Ellwenger says that these internal GB tournaments make everyone better. “You have fun, make new friends, and break barriers between states,” he says, “The whole purpose is to show everyone that we are a team and a family. It’s not Louisiana against Florida. We all make up one big GB team. This tournament is about socializing, having fun, making new friends, and trading email addresses and FB names.”

Ellwanger says once you make new connections at these GB tournaments, whenever you go to other GB schools to train, you have friends there. “That’s how we did it in Brazil, and that’s how we want to do it here,” he says.

Professor Marcio Feitosa, Professor Draculino, Professor Patrick Head, Professor Fabio Costa, Professor Rafael Ellwanger, Professor Mathias Meister, Professor Marco Macera, Professor Eddie Lirette, Professor Joe Hurst, Professor Joshua Miller, Professor Brian Davis, Professor Eder Persiliano, Professor Fabio Vilella, Professor Marcelo Ribeiro, and Professor Marcelo Souza are all confirmed and will be attending the event.

For registration information for the GB Competition Network 6 Southeast Tournament, please contact Gbcompnet.com.

Honolulu. Foto: divulgação

As atividades acontecem na sexta-feira (3 de setembro), na South King St.Honolulu 1750, HI 96826. O curso, comandado pelo juiz Marcelo Ribeiro, árbitro oficial da IBJJF, vai das 13h até as 16h e o custo é de US$30.     

Mais informações através do e-mail regras@ibjjf.com