GB Values | Development
This week we continue our value series, going behind the mats with Professor Alexandre Dantas and understanding how the value of Development helped him push through stereotypes during his competitive career.
When Gracie Barra began with Master Carlos Gracie Jr.’s vision of improving people's lives through Jiu-Jitsu, his focus was already on development. At first, the focus was on competitive excellence, but it did not take long to understand that they had to thrive to keep the group together. The team needed to grow, and each individual needed to evolve, contribute, and benefit from the team's growth. For this reason, Gracie Barra is an ongoing process of growth and development.
Many consider Alexandre Fernandes Dantas A.K.A. “Café,” a Jiu-jitsu legend. He is a 5th-degree black belt and the head instructor at Gracie Barra Fort Lauderdale in Florida. An educated physical education professor, and has a Master in Law and a Ph.D. in International Relations and Political Science.
Professor Café started training with Gracie Barra in Barra de Tijuca in 2000 after studying other martial arts, including Jiu-Jitsu in other gyms several years prior. He started competing only a year or so into training.
“When I started training Jiu-Jitsu, I was the easiest one to beat at my school. They used to call me “Café com Leite” (milky coffee).”
He explained that he was not naturally talented and had earned the nickname and stereotype of being “weak coffee”. Professor Café explained that he feels competition was fundamental to his development as an athlete. He continued to enter competitions despite being easy to beat.
Then something happened when he became a purple belt. His game started to change, and he was submitting everyone. Over time, being consistent and showing up, his Jiu-Jitsu evolved, and he started winning matches. His original nickname evolved with it, and he became known as “Café.” Going from a weak coffee to a strong, bold brew.
“I think it is an excellent nickname to remind me that the beginning of a Jiu-Jitsu journey usually is not easy, and it keeps me humble, always looking for improvement.”
Professor Cafe explained that he feels competition is key to your development as a Jiu-Jitsu athlete because it teaches you not to give up. It forces you to develop your game further. To sharpen your skills to a higher intensity and match the needs of a tournament.
“Competition was and still is fundamental for my development as an athlete. When you register yourself in a tournament, or even when you plan to register in the near future, your commitment in general to the Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle increases a lot, you don’t skip the training, you lift weights more constantly, you maintain a healthy diet, and you sleep well. You are always seeking to improve as an athlete, and the competitions keep you motivated.”
When asked if Professor Café had a message for anyone looking to enter competitions, he focused on how a Gracie Barra student can use competition to embody our core development value. His message includes how an upcoming competition can help a student become motivated to develop themselves further.
“It is impressive how your mindset changes as you start competing. Your game becomes more competitive, meaning that you don’t give up easy points for your training partner. Other aspects that the competition will improve are courage, your capacity to remain calm under extreme pressure, and your confidence.”
Professor Café truly believes in competition as a force that has brought about development within himself and that without it, he would not be where he is today in his life. He highly recommends you sign-up for a tournament; you will immediately see a difference in the commitment level to further your development.
Stay tuned for upcoming CompNet Tournaments in your region.
Blog Written by Dawn Korsen - Gracie Barra Purple Belt