In this episode, we are joined by Professor Pedro Valente Jr.. Topics include self defense, practical training methods, lessons learned from Grandmaster Helio and an in-depth history lesson in Jiu-Jitsu! Click “Read More” for show notes!

His beginnings

His father

His time spent with Grandmaster Helio

Can courage be taught?

The relationships built in Jiu-Jitsu

Grandmaster Helio’s moral requirements to be a Black Belt

Rectitude

The 7-5-3 code

Grandmaster Helio’s “Japanese Soul”

Why he teaches private lesson in private rooms

A story of Grandmaster Helio that shows the value of a healthy lifestyle

Diet and discipline

Why Helio spent extra time with him to prepare him to move to the US

His early days teaching in Miami

The reception of Jiu-Jitsu in the US in the early days

The infamous “Judo club invasion” story

The importance of the early UFC’s and the Gracie Challenge

His new state of the art academy in Miami

The secret to the Valente brother’s success

Why academies fail

The origins of the Fighting Foundations program

Why he feels a structured curriculum is key to an academy’s success

In the age of the internet, is roadside visibility as important for academies as it once was?

Why academy owners shouldn’t focus on competing gyms and just focus on themselves

A Jiu-Jitsu history lesson

Did Jiu-Jitsu change that much when it arrived in Brazil?

Rivalry within the Gracie family

Why is Jiu-Jitsu still the best self defense system in modern times?

The value of competition

Realistically training self defense

Why your training must have consequences for failure

You will fight the way you train

Sport Jiu-Jitsu on the street

Jiu-Jitsu’s unique ability to end a fight without hurting your opponent

The interesting rank he currently wears and the story behind it

Jiu-Jitsu’s bad reputation in Brazil in the 90’s

Being in Royce’s corner at UFC 1 and again for his final fight in 2016

Working with Alistair Overeem and other MMA fighters

His desired legacy

[powerpress]