Gracie Barra Salt Lake City
Coach Pedro Santos

Interview with Coach Pedro Santos

Get to know Coach Pedro Santos: inspiring the next generation of Jiu-Jitsu champions at Gracie Barra Salt Lake City

JIU JITSU CLASSES for kids

Hey Coach Pedro, let’s have a quick chat so people can get to know a bit more about you.

Can you please introduce yourself to our readers?

My name is Pedro Santos and I am 17 years old. I have been training BJJ for over 10 years. I attend high school – 11th grade and I moved to Utah with my family in January 2020.

How were your first impressions of Utah? What did you like the most and what did you feel was too strange?

Utah is beautiful, and the mountains are unbelievably pretty. It’s really different from Rio, which is a huge city; it’s quieter here and really nice to live in. No traffic jams. I love living here. The safety compared to Rio is what I liked the most, but on the other hand, I miss going to the beach.

You are Prof. Seidler Rodrigo's son, so we assume that you have been training Jiu Jitsu since you were born. How was your start in Jiu Jitsu as a kid?

I started when I was 5 years old, and I remember playing on the mats and having a lot of fun. When I turned 6, I had my first tournament and won the Rio de Janeiro State Championship. I loved training, but I was not a student under my dad. I mostly trained at Gracie Barra Jacarepaguá, under Professor Villem Coelho and his team of coaches.

What do you do at Gracie Barra Utah?

I train and work as an assistant coach. I teach the Tiny Champs and Little Champs 1 (3-6 years old), and I assist with the Little Champs 2 and Jrs Programs (7-12 years old) classes.

What are the biggest challenges you face in dealing with kids?

I believe that the main challenge is keeping the attention of little kids. They get easily distracted, and we have to really enter their world to communicate properly and keep them engaged.

How do you think Jiu Jitsu can help kids and teens?

For sure, self-control, discipline, and communication. We have noticed that little kids have been really shy recently, not even greeting others due to a lack of confidence. We also see kids who can’t manage anger properly and need to understand that there is a time for everything, and of course, the discipline to build skills over time. All this makes kids more confident and helps them everywhere.

Is there a special moment you had during classes that you could share with us?

I remember when my dad was teaching me a specific sweep for a tournament and how much I repeated and practiced it. It is still one of my favorite moves. It reminds me that we need to put effort into what we want to develop. I do the same at school to get good grades, and it has been working.

What do you like to do off the mats?

I like to stay with my family and friends. Hiking in Utah is great, and I love it. I listen to music almost 24 hours a day, and I also like to play video games.

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Jiu-Jitsu in Utah

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At Gracie Barra, you’re not just joining a Jiu-Jitsu gym, you’re becoming part of a global community with over 1,000 schools worldwide.

Our martial arts classes combine high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training with a strong focus on physical fitness, mental resilience, and personal growth. You’ll break a sweat, learn real self-defense, and connect with supportive teammates who push you to be your best.

Whether you’re training to get in shape, relieve stress, or be part of something bigger, this is your place.

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BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU CLASSES NEAR YOU

Our Passionate Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructors

At Gracie Barra Salt Lake City, both your safety and progress matter, and it all starts with our Jiu-Jitsu instructors.

Every instructor is trained and certified through the renowned Gracie Barra Instructor Certification Program (ICP), ensuring expert knowledge, strong teaching skills, and leadership.

And that’s just the start:

☑️ Background checked for your peace of mind
☑️ CPR-certified and emergency-ready
☑️ Trained in modern techniques and proven methods
☑️ Backed by the global Gracie Barra team

Whether you’re starting fresh or sharpening your martial art game, you’ll be guided by professionals who are qualified, trustworthy, and dedicated to your journey.

Gracie Barra is like a big family, open to people of all ages and backgrounds!

PROF. SEIDLER RODRIGO

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