Today, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a former student of Gracie Barra Salt Lake City, and the insights shared were nothing short of inspiring. My name is Seidler Rodrigo, the Head Professor at Gracie Barra Salt Lake City. Join me as we explore Ivan’s remarkable journey to achieving his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Whether you’re a seasoned practitioner or new to the mats, Ivan’s story is sure to inspire and motivate.
Journey to Black Belt:
Journey to Black Belt: Hi Ivan, it’s such a pleasure to have this talk with you about your Jiu Jitsu black belt journey. Can you share your journey in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, starting from your first class to achieving your black belt? What motivated you to keep going, even through challenges?
My Jiu-Jitsu journey began in 2011 when I was at one of the lowest points of my life. I was four years removed from medically retiring from the U.S. Army. I was depressed, overweight, and felt alone in life.
One day, a co-worker told me about an MMA school near my house that offered Jiu-Jitsu classes. After work one day, I decided to stop by the school. Professor Gazzy Parman welcomed me and invited me to take an intro class. I decided to try it, and she lent me a gi for the class.
During my first class, I remember feeling excited but also scared of looking foolish. Professor Parman demonstrated a scissor sweep from a closed guard and paired me up with a purple belt who had been training for a couple of years. After a few moments of drilling the position, the negative feelings I had disappeared, and I felt much better about myself.
When the class concluded, Professor Parman asked if I had enjoyed the class. I told her it was a great experience and that I wanted to continue. In my next class, she gave me the first gi I ever owned. From that day on, I trained at the school until I transferred to Alaska for work.
Before leaving, Professor Parman told me the journey would be long, but if I kept putting the gi on and training, I would someday earn my Black Belt, much like she had.
That message resonated with me throughout my Jiu-Jitsu journey. There were several times I had to pause Jiu-Jitsu due to injuries or work-related events, but I always came back and kept training. I struggled to get past the blue belt, but after that, the journey became fun. I learned to enjoy the journey and made lots of great friends.
After my blue belt days, I remained committed and wrote an affirmation that I would earn my black belt before I turned 40. On the day I was promoted to black belt, a rush of memories flooded my brain, and I finally knew that my commitment and hard work had culminated in a very special moment. Although I had injuries and moments when I paused Jiu-Jitsu, I never lost my commitment. I remained steadfast in keeping the promise I made to myself that I would keep coming back regardless of how life was going. Knowing that I pushed through the difficult times made the moment of earning my black belt much more significant and memorable.
Military Connection:
How did your experience in the military shape your perspective on Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and how has BJJ benefited you as a veteran?
When I started Jiu-Jitsu, I didn’t realize it, but the things I missed about the military were woven into Jiu-Jitsu. I think of the Gracie Barra values of Brotherhood, Integrity, and Development. All of those values were closely linked to what I had learned in the military.
Brotherhood in the military is very strong, and once I left, I maintained the close relationships I had, but my friends were all several hundred miles away. Once I found Jiu-Jitsu, I developed friendships that closely resembled the ones I had in the military.
Through my friendships in Jiu-Jitsu, I’ve been able to not only improve at Jiu-Jitsu but also improve my mental and physical health. As a veteran who felt isolated, depressed, and overweight, every time I needed support, I’ve been able to turn to my Jiu-Jitsu brotherhood for support, and they helped me overcome issues. Not only is the Brotherhood important, but Jiu-Jitsu has strengthened my mindset, and I’m constantly seeking to improve my mental and physical health, which were impacted during and after my military service. Jiu-Jitsu has allowed me to work on becoming a resilient person, and I promote Jiu-Jitsu to all veterans as a way to overcome mental and physical health issues that can debilitate veterans after their military service.
Practical Skills:
BJJ is known for its emphasis on technique and leverage. How has this discipline helped you in practical situations, including those you encountered in the military or day-to-day life?
Jiu-Jitsu has taught me that strength is a small piece of the equation and that it must be coupled with technique. I remember early on during my Jiu-Jitsu journey, I tried to overpower my training partners, and at times, I was able to, but once I faced a more experienced training partner, they were often more successful during our training because they remained relaxed while I was tense and overexerted myself.
My biggest takeaway from Jiu-Jitsu has been to relax and not overexert myself with futile efforts. By taking this approach, I have been able to step back from situations, and instead of taking problems head-on and attempting to overpower them, I change the angle and attack the problem with a solution that requires less effort and is more efficient at resolving the problem.
This was a useful tool during my law enforcement career, after my military service, as I felt confident in my physical abilities to control volatile situations with a degree of calmness that almost always resulted in peaceful resolutions. This was evident in several situations where my co-workers attempted to overpower problems and always created a bigger mess to clean up.
Mental Toughness:
Veterans and law enforcement officers often face high-stress situations. How has Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu helped you build mental resilience and manage stress?
The biggest thing I learned through Jiu-Jitsu was to remain calm during difficult situations. This question immediately reminds me of times I’ve been stuck in side control, and the person on top is creating a lot of pressure and making it hard to breathe.
While stuck inside control, a person has a few options: exert a lot of energy and gas out, panic and expose yourself to a submission or back-take/mount, or remain calm and wait for an opening to regain the guard or improve the position.
I approach every difficult situation as if I were stuck in bottom-side control. I remain calm and find the perfect time to overcome the situation efficiently. Something I learned in the military and that I’ve also utilized in Jiu-Jitsu, which helped me develop resilience, is to never run away from tough situations. I may not win every roll or overcome every difficult situation initially; however, I try my best, and whether I win or lose, I always conduct an after-action review with myself and my professors. I always seek to improve the areas I’m weak in. The areas I feel strong in, I maintain them while working on improving the weaker aspects of my mental toughness.
Community and Brotherhood:
Jiu Jitsu schools are often described as families. How did training at Gracie Barra Salt Lake City and later at Greensboro provide a sense of belonging and support?
I’m very fortunate to have found the Gracie Barra family. When I started training at Gracie Barra Salt Lake City, I was already a blue belt but had stopped training due to a knee injury. Once again, I was at a low point in my life and found my way back to Jiu-Jitsu through Gracie Barra Salt Lake City.
Professor Seidler Rodrigo was instrumental in my return to Jiu-Jitsu. He was the mentor I needed at a time when I felt depressed and isolated. He encouraged me to keep training and helped me overcome several personal struggles. After a few months of training at Gracie Barra Salt Lake City, I not only felt better about myself, but I also developed friendships that have become an integral part of my life.
When I moved to Greensboro, NC, I wasn’t sure if I’d find another school like Gracie Barra Salt Lake City. However, I was fortunate enough that Gracie Barra Greensboro opened shortly after my move, and I found another great mentor in Professor Lucas Nabuco. I felt immediately at home again while training at Gracie Barra Greensboro, and during my move, I made several stops throughout the U.S. During my stops, I visited Gracie Barra San Antonio and Gracie Barra New Mexico. Both schools were very welcoming, and I felt like the Gracie Barra family was not just lip service but was an actual family that welcomed their students anywhere you went.
Benefits for Veterans:
What would you say to other veterans who are considering starting Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu but may feel hesitant?
I’d tell them that I, too, was hesitant off the quest to start Jiu-Jitsu. I felt scared to fail and to look foolish while failing. However, it was one of the best decisions I have made. Although my physical health improved, my mental health is what I’m most pleased with.
The strength I’ve gained has allowed me to tackle my problems with confidence, and I’m no longer scared of my thoughts as I have an army of friends to help me fight my daily battles. If I have a bad day, I know that during training, I will work out my frustrations on the mats, which often result in finding the clarity I need to overcome the issues I face off the mats.
Inspiration for Families:
As a new father, how do you see Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu benefiting families, especially children, in terms of discipline, confidence, and life skills?
As a new father, I’m already looking forward to enrolling my son and daughter in their first Jiu-Jitsu class. Introducing my children to Jiu-Jitsu at an early age is important to me because I want them to learn that discipline pays off. They may not become World Champions, but the skills and lessons they will learn will propel their lives in a positive direction.
I already see this when I teach the kids classes. Most children are shy and lack confidence during their first class. However, after a few weeks, that same child is smiling from ear to ear and positively interacting with other children. Their entire demeanor changes, and their self-confidence is evident when they are training with other students. This growth is amazing to observe, and it’s something every parent and child would benefit from.
Message to Beginners:
What advice would you give to someone who is stepping onto the mats for the first time, whether they’re a veteran, law enforcement officer, or simply someone looking to improve their life?
My advice to a newcomer would be to be patient with yourself. Jiu-Jitsu is not a race but a marathon. If you try to sprint right out of the gate, you will not be able to complete the marathon. Life will happen, and at times, you will find yourself going to class once a week, and other times, you will go five times a week. The point is to never stop. Keep taking a step forward every day, and when things get tough, look to your brotherhood for advice and guidance. Do not let the achievements of others dictate your achievements. Understand that Jiu-Jitsu can become a catalyst to changing the way you approach life’s problems and eventually overcome them.
Black Belt Vision:
Now that you’ve reached the rank of black belt, what are your goals for the future in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu? How do you plan to inspire others to begin or continue their own journey?
Now that I’ve reached the rank of Black Belt, my biggest goal is to share my knowledge and experience with others about the power of Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-Jitsu has transformed my life in ways I could not have imagined. I’ve learned many life lessons through my time on the mats and by discussing my problems with my mentors and friends. Because of those benefits, I’d like to encourage others, especially veterans, to pursue Jiu-Jitsu as a way of life.
Reaching the rank of Black Belt is only the beginning of developing a deeper understanding of Jiu-Jitsu. I will remain committed to passing the legacy to my children and teaching them Jiu-Jitsu from an early age. I hope to inspire others in their journey and to mentor others much like my professors have mentored me throughout my journey.
