In the sixth video of the HOW-TO Series, we went back to 2013 and extracted one of the positions the Mendes Bros taught at an online seminar for GRACIEMAG.

Pay close attention to Rafael Mendes and add this crafty way to get to the opponent’s back.

Mendes brothers with the AOJ team in Tokyo, Japan. Photo: Personal archive

The Mendes brothers, Guilherme and Rafael, traveled to Tokyo, Japan this past weekend as part of their annual trek to compete at the 2014 Rickson Gracie Cup. This time they took a number of their students form GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy. All fared well and the brothers came away with a great experience plus some double gold achievements.

We spoke with Gui Mendes about the trip, what the Jiu-Jitsu scene is like in Japan and how the students did:

GRACIEMAG: What were your matches like in the weight division?

The double gold brothers. Photo: Personal archive

GUILHERME MENDES: Rafael had 3 fights and I had 2, we both were able to finish all our fights with the submission. I used the baseball choke in all the fights of my division and used choke from the back in the absolute, Rafa used armbar, choke and choke from the back.

Who was your toughest match in the open weight?

The level of difficulty was the same as our division. I believe that we fought with no pressure and focused on showing our technique and technical progress so we were able to apply nice moves.

What makes competing in Japan different than the rest? Why do you always keep it in your competition schedule each year?

The energy is different, the level of respect and love of our fans are some things that keep bringing us back every year. We do not do it for the medals or money, we want to be there every year because it’s fantastic to be around people that recognize your work and give the right value to it. Japan is our favorite place to compete so far.

How would you describe the Jiu-Jitsu scene in Japan?

The level of kids, blue belts and purple belts is really good. We saw amazing matches over there. In the brown and black belt [divisions] they have less competitors but it’s still good and fun to compete. It’s growing and in the future it will be even better!

How did your students do?

Gui, Mason Monsevais, Rafa, Danny Stolfi. Photo: Personal archive

Great! We had 9 kids from our school competing and it was another successful tournament. They train hard and achieved the result that they were expecting; they made us really proud one more time because we had the opportunity to show our work with the kids in a different country.

A lot of people came to us to say how impressed they were with the level of our students. Also, we had two of the AOJ coaches competing and they did amazing! Mason Monsevais won again, he is an amazing competitor and is building his name in the sport. We can’t wait to see him competing next year. Danny Stolfi is a purple belt middleweight and won double gold submitting most of his opponents. He is another student that has been improving fast and dedicating himself to become a great champion.

I see that all the work that the students have been putting in is starting to give them the results that they want. It’s motivating and exciting! I’m sure we will have a lot of champions in the next competition season!

Check out footage of the matches on artofjiujitsu.com!

With the kids of AOJ. Photo: Personal archive

AOJ team. Photo: Nick the Tooth

Guilherme Mendes grew up on the mat with his younger brother Rafael Mendes. The duo came from humble beginnings and now have four black belt world titles each and a booming academy near the coast in beautiful Southern California full of students following their own paths to success.

Gui as a white belt (left) and Rafa (right). Photo: Instagram @mendesbros

Now that Gui’s journey has come full circle, he can talk about the experience as a kid growing up on the mats as well as nurturing those who are growing up on his. If you’re a parent who wants to know more about putting your child into Jiu-Jitsu or you’re a kid who wants to know what to expect, this is an in-depth look at what makes Jiu-Jitsu special. It’s not like your average little league or piano lesson or ballet class. It is all those rolled into one with many opportunities for growth both physically and mentally.

Check out what Gui knows about being young in Jiu-Jitsu, how to approach competition for a child and what to expect along the journey:

GRACIEMAG: A lot of parents put their kids in sports at a young age and push for their success for many reasons, one being that they’ll earn a college scholarship. Jiu-Jitsu doesn’t promote this type of incentive. Do you think parents should professionalize their child’s Jiu-Jitsu career at an early age through competition, promotion and brand marketing? If so, do you believe this is the way to have a successful career in Jiu-Jitsu?

GUILHERME MENDES: I came from a culture where parents are less involved with their kid’s activities. When I started Jiu-Jitsu I was 12 years old and I was living with my mom and brother. She was working all day to bring food to our table, so there was no time for her to worry about our activities and if we were winning or losing in practice. I do remember many times at home where she would tell us to always give our best and believe in our dreams. That’s what I believe is the best thing to do; support but not push.

Motivation comes from inside, motivation comes from loving what you are doing and having a huge desire to do it better and more often. I appreciate when the parents drive a long distance to bring their kids to train at the best school, or when they go to the tournaments and hug their child after the fight even if it is a loss. Support makes you feel loved. Pressure makes you feel desperate.

I think everything in life has its own time. Kids should focus on learning, just like school. It’s all about building their character for the future, gaining confidence and self-control, and learning about brotherhood and respect. This is what is going to make them succeed in the future, even if they choose a different path.

What is a successful career in Jiu-Jitsu? How is it defined?

There is a quote from John Wooden that explains success just like I see it:

“Success is peace of mind which is a direct result of self-satisfaction in knowing you did your best to become the best you are capable of becoming.”

Rafa Mendes (left) with brother Gui.

For me success is self-satisfaction and it’s something really personal, we can’t compare. You are the only person in the world that is able to know how far in life you can go, and we all have different limitations. Maybe the things that I have achieved so far would be a success to a lot of people. It is huge for me, but it is not my final vision of success yet. I still feel that I can go further, and that’s what is amazing about life; once you achieve your goals, you can set up higher standards for yourself and work to go further.

How many of your students are full-time athletes? How many are not so serious and just like to learn and not compete?

We have a small group that are full time competitors. They are the students that have the desire to become champions in the sport and are doing what it takes to achieve it.

At AOJ we have 12 classes a day and we have the right program for all different goals in the sport. It’s something that we have worked really hard to build, and that’s one of the aspects that makes AOJ so special. Kids, teens, women, competitors, beginners; they all have their space here and they all can have a great time on the mat. Today we have about 700 students at our academy and it is the result of great team work. We have the most amazing team of staff and coaches that makes AOJ the Disneyland of Jiu-Jitsu. We are always moving forward, with new projects and trying to make everything better and special.

Some say that there is no possible way to predict how well a kid will do in a sport in the future because of puberty and other factors while growing up. Do you think this applies to Jiu-Jitsu as well?

It depends on their vision. Some of them are already mature enough to know what they really want. They are not training because their parents want them to train, they train because that’s what they like to do.

I believe that once they fall in love with the sport, they wont quit. Their lives will be molded to have the sport as a part of it.

The ones that will eventually stop training will have learned something from the classes and will be more prepared for the future. I do not see Jiu-Jitsu class as a self-defense class; I see it as a strong tool to build character for the child to become a strong human being.
You do not need to fight people in school or on the street if you are confident enough to avoid this kind of situation. Bullies are unconfident people trying to prove something.

In Jiu Jitsu we need to achieve self-control. That’s why I really like competitions because there you can face your fears, overcome them, and achieve confidence in your abilities. Its not about winning a fight, its about transforming your personality. It’s amazing when we see a kid coming to train and they are afraid of losing, scared of other people and not confident, and after a few months they start to change. They are confident, their posture is better, the way they talk is different, they learn social skills that will be with them forever. It’s not about creating a beast, it’s about transforming a scared child into a confident human being.

What do you say to a parent who is afraid their child may be injured?

Do you know that quote: “A ship is safe in harbor, but that’s not what ships are for”?

That’s how I see it. Injuries can happen anywhere and anytime, you can get hurt walking down the street, but it will not stop you from walking. Right?

How do you feel about the “participation medal” for kids meaning that every kid is recognized for simply attending a competition? Everyone shares part of the glory of winning.

I believe it is good for kids under 6 years old, because most of the time they are going to the competition for their parents, not because they really want to do it. I think it will motivate them to keep doing tournaments. The participation medal is for their courage for stepping on the mat at such a young age. When they are 6 years old, they need to start learning that sometimes we win, sometimes we lose. It’s not only about Jiu-Jitsu as it applies to everything in life, and just like I tell the adults: at the end of the day it will not change anything; people that love and support you will be by your side regardless of the outcome.

Kids class at AOJ. Photo: Nick the Tooth

Learn more about Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Costa Mesa, CA at www.artofjiujitsu.com

Mikey works his passing against Hiago Gama. Photo: Erin Herle

Mikey Musumeci, one half of the Musumeci sibling duo, received his brown belt from the Mendes brothers after winning the purple belt light-featherweight division at Worlds in June. His run at Worlds included back-takes, berimbolos and leg drags.

Here Mikey teaches how to get to the leg drag when an opponent puts you in the lasso and spider guard. He also goes over how to counter the defense when someone opens their knee to try to prevent the leg drag.

Check it out:

Celebrating the win with the coaches. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

The Mendes brothers are leading the way for future champions. This last weekend on July 19-20 the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy sent 82 kids to compete at Kids Worlds 2014. They won the team trophy on both days, gi and no-gi.

The brothers, Rafael and Guilherme, speak about the accomplishment: “Our academy is growing really fast and we have been investing all our time to develop strong curriculums and training programs. Today we have an amazing group of coaches and staff at AOJ that are doing a great job as well, and this team work is giving us good results.”

Gui’s thoughts: “I feel really blessed. This is more than I’ve ever dreamed to have. I’ve always wanted to have a beautiful academy, a kids team and be recognized by my hard work, it’s all happening so fast that sometimes I have to stop and dream a little bit more to have something to work on.

The team trophy. Photo: Personal Archive

I’ve learned a lot about life since I started teaching the kids. When you are a full time competitor you have to be selfish, you want to be the best so you focus all your energy on you and you do whatever it takes to be a champion. You forget the world outside because you are too busy working on yourself. Today I do not feel like that. Every tournament that I go to coach my students I see myself more selfless and appreciating other people’s victories more than I do for my own and it gives me so much peace. A lot of times I ask myself if it’s happening because I’m getting old but I really don’t think so; I’m only 26 and I think it’s happening because I really discovered my passion in the sport.”

Rafa adds: “We are Christian, we believe in God, and we really believe that it’s all happening because he is allowing us to have it, because he wants us to use all this success to effect peoples lives–make a positive impact and give something back. Be able to help people to achieve their goals, families to find a place of happiness where they can stay united, make every student that walks into our academy a better person by showing them respect and teaching the Jiu Jitsu lifestyle. And above of all, use our lives, all this success that is given to us to glorify God and bring people to God. Because if this is not the main goal, why do we work so hard ? Why all this success? What is the point ? I believe this is life’s purpose and we must understand it in order to truly be happy, otherwise even having so much, you will have nothing and always fell empty.”

While the success of their team in both adult and kids categories has proven their leadership, it comes from something within. As a reflection on this latest achievement, the brothers dive into their own past and explain how their young selves adapted to life’s struggles with the help of Jiu-Jitsu:

“People think that life was easy for us but it was not. They can see our appearance but not our struggles. It’s easy to see someone being successful and think that they just “had a good opportunity”, but opportunities never come for people that never work for it.

The team accepting the team trophy. Photo: Personal Archive

We started in a small city and right when we started in Jiu-Jitsu our dad and mom broke up and our dad was an alcoholic. Because of families problems, we had to leave our house with our mom and it was a very difficult time in our lives. Jiu-Jitsu always taught us how to stay strong in bad situations and never panic. We had to become the men of the house when we were just kids, we could not look up to our dad because of that crazy situation so we saw our Professor Ramon [Lemos] as a father figure. He inspired us to become who we are today. I remember when we were twelve years old, talking to him in the academy after training, making our plans for the future, dreaming about traveling the world to teach, compete, and one day have our own academy.

Save my words. We are going to have a huge group of world champions in the future. Can’t wait for these kids to start fighting the World Championship in the juvenile division. We are going to shock the world! haha”

For more about GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy go to Instagram @aojacademy @mendesbros and www.artofjiujitsu.com

Mendes brothers with the Ruotolu twins. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

Guilherme with a student. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

The coaches with Gui and Rafa. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

Guilherme and Rafael Mendes. Photo: Owen Francis Photography

Two years ago Guilherme and Rafael Mendes solidified their place in the states by opening their own Jiu-Jitsu academy. After accomplishing multiple world titles each and still in their early twenties, the two prioritized their lives to gain a student base in the form of Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Costa Mesa, CA.

On June 29 the team came together to celebrate this two-year anniversary at their white haven on E 17th Street.

Of the event and special day the brothers respond: “It was a great day for us, we are very happy for all the accomplishments in our lives, achieving the fourth World title and having so much success as professors is a blessing. We will keep spreading the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle and making more families discovery the magic of our amazing art.”

See a full photo gallery by Owen Francis Photography here.

Learn more about GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu by visiting www.artofjiujitsu.com

The Art of Jiu-Jitsu student base. Photo: Nick the Tooth

AOJ Kids Training Camp 2014 set for July 12-13

On July 12 & 13, kids from anywhere and everywhere are invited to train at the famed Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy. The Mendes brothers, Guilherme and Rafael, are running an AOJ Kids Training Camp at their academy in Costa Mesa, CA.

This two-day event is open to all academies. The address of the Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy is: 411 E 17th St. Costa Mesa, CA.

Learn from the leaders of one of the most successful kid teams in the world.

The last day to sign up is this Friday, June 27. Don’t miss this chance.

For more information and to sign up, please contact info@artofjiujitsu.com

Check it out and learn more at www.artofjiujitsu.com

Rick celebrates his win. Photo: Erin Herle

The Mendes brothers, Guilherme and Rafael, promoted yet another student to brown belt at the 2014 World Championship. This time, it was their student and a coach at GMA Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy, Rick Slomba.

He moved from Baltimore, MD and his real estate career to the academy in Costa Mesa, CA to train Jiu-Jitsu full-time in 2012. He was a purple belt until today, the second day of the Worlds where he fought six matches for the gold in the featherweight category and received his brown belt on the podium.

In 2010 Rick fought his first IBJJF tournament and third tournament ever in Chicago and he was a purple belt then as well. Since then he has competed in the purple belt divisions in the highest tournaments. In his fourth attempt at the worlds, he finally got his gold. In previous years he earned third place twice and even a third place at the Pans as well. So this title was well-deserved and came after a long time. He broke his third place spell.

The toughest match for Rick today was the final against Edwin Najmi of GMA Gracie Barra Northridge. “Edwin has beat me a bunch before and I finally beat him. The ankle locks hurt but I didn’t care today” says the 27-year-old. During his six matches, Rick had three submissions: one wrist lock, and two chokes from the back.

Rick during the final against Edwin Najmi. Photo: Erin Herle

The brothers surprised him with the promotion on the podium. Rick says, “Even more than the gold, it’s been my dream to be promoted on the podium.”

When asked about his past performances and why he was often stopped before the finals, he said it goes all the way back to his childhood: “I could never hit the ball when I was up to bat in little league baseball. I could never handle it. I was always scared to fail.”

But not anymore. “I finally hit the baseball.”

See photos of the second day of the event here. And partial results of the event here.

Promoted to brown belt. Photo: Erin Herle

The number one team under the Atos banner at the 2014 IBJJF Pan Kids. Photo: AOJ

The Mendes brothers, Guilherme and Rafael, have been at the top of podiums as athletes for years. Since opening their Art of Jiu-Jitsu Academy in July of 2012 they have extended their knowledge and way of training to their students.

What makes them a bit different from other academies is their dedication to the kids program. At the 2014 IBJJF Pan Kids Championship on Feb. 16, the brothers led their team to victory for the first place team trophy.  This is the second consecutive year winning as a team under the Atos banner, and they improved from 15 gold medals to 25 gold medals.

Guilherme answered a few questions for an exclusive interview about how and why their kids program is so successful:

GRACIEMAG: What kind of training do your kids do in the programs at Art of Jiu-Jitsu?

GUILHERME MENDES: We have a very well-rounded program for kids of all ages and skill levels. We are always trying to improve upon it, by adding new things and removing the things that are not producing results. I think this constant evolution and attention to detail along with our will to have the best kids program make the classes at AOJ an amazing experience for the students.

Who teaches the classes and how do you determine which students take certain classes?

We offer 7 kids classes a day at AOJ which are separated by age. In the class we hold safety as our top priority and further separate the kids by belt level and size. Rafael and myself teach the competition team and we have seven more coaches who are all active competitiors that teach the other classes. The amazing thing about the AOJ coaching staff is the level of dedication and team work. We have weekly meetings to discuss the program and each individuals progress. This is really raising the level of our students.

Do the kids come to your academy with the goal of competing or do they decide after they start training?

Most of our students come to AOJ with the goal of gaining confidence, and that’s our goal on the mat: help them to develop a better personality, be able to handle tough situations and face and resolve problems they will encounter throughout their life. We believe competition is a great tool to test yourself, overcome your fears, and learn about self control. But competition is not the main goal at AOJ. We focus on developing our kids into confident adults ready to succeed in life.

What type of high level training do the kids at AOJ do and what is the weekly schedule like?

The kids at AOJ train every day. I do not recommend training more than once a day when they are young. I think this is the main reason for kids quitting Jiu-Jitsu because it stops being fun. The kids have a long way to go and I don’t want them to burn out. Having one great class a day is the perfect way to make them always feel excited to train and learn more. This system of training is working very well. Atos had 25 gold medals at Pan Kids coming from our academy.

We really enjoy seeing how much AOJ is influencing the Jiu-Jitsu community. New academies are opening up all the time with white mats, white walls, and polished concrete floors. Also when you look at the points from this year’s Pan Kids you can see that many schools are following our lead and investing in their kids programs. This makes us happy because since we started Jiu-Jitsu it was always our dream to change the sport and leave our mark. We believe that by creating a strong kids programs we are achieving our goal and creating opportunities for the next generation to use Jiu-Jitsu as a way to improve their lives.

You can follow the brothers and the AOJ kids team at www.artofjiujitsu.com

The full team at the 2014 Pan Kids. Photo: AOJ

On November 17 the annual Rickson Gracie Cup unfolded in Tokyo, Japan for its 2013 edition. Our GMA members Guilherme and Rafael Mendes entered the competition and earned two gold medals with outstanding performances.

Guilherme won the featherweight division, Rafael won the lightweight division and the pair closed out the open weight division alongside Roberto Satoshi.

All of their fights were determined by submission finishes.

Check out some videos from their instagram @mendesbros.

Rafael in his first match:

Guilherme in his first match:

You can check out the rest of their videos on their instagram/facebook page: www.mendesbrosfans.com

Vinicius Draculino and Rafael Sapo add to list of free seminars at 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo

Renzo Gracie has added yet another event to the 2013 World Jiu-Jitsu Expo on Nov. 9 and 10 at the Long Beach Convention Center.

Professor Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes will join with UFC fighter and Jiu-Jitsu black belt Rafael “Sapo” Natal to teach a super seminar. Draculino has brought up Jiu-Jitsu stars such as Romulo Barral and Samuel Braga. Sapo teaches at the Renzo Gracie Academy in NYC and also will fight in the UFC Fight Night 31: Fight for The Troops 3 against Tim Kennedy on Nov. 6, just three days before the expo!

Both active members of the Jiu-Jitsu community as well as MMA, they have much to bring to the mats for you. Buy your tickets now at www.worldjiujitsuexpo.com

Full free seminar list is as follows:

Caio Terra and Carlos Condit
Lyoto Machida and Roger Gracie
Ryron and Rener Gracie
Mendes Brothers
Braulio Estima
Andre Galvao
Robert Drysdale
Vinicius Draculino and Rafael Natal
And more to come!