GB Value Series | Nurturing the Competitive Spirit
This week we end our Gracie Barra Value Series. Over the last few weeks, we heard stories from 3 Professors on the early days of Gracie Barra. We learned how Brotherhood/Sisterhood, Integrity, and Development, have nurtured the competitive spirit within our athletes—showing how they have taken the lessons from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. along their journey and used them to become better competitive athletes.
This nurturing experience, and the wisdom they gained from it, has allowed them to embody the values of Gracie Barra and enables them to live out these values every day, on and off the mats. For each athlete, competing was an integral part of their pursuit of personal excellence.
Professor Flavio Almeida spoke of how Master Carlos taught the value of Brotherhood by seeing GB athletes as part of a team, not an individual sport. He continues to use this lesson of seeking to do and be better in every aspect of his life. He understands that striving to be better for the team makes him a better individual in return. Professor Flavio reflects,
“By teaching us to fight for something bigger than ourselves, [Master Carlos] elevated us to become something bigger than who we were.”
Professor Marcio feels that Master Carlos Jr. speaks and lives his life daily with Integrity and commitment to the team. Because of this example, Professor Marcio has always felt committed to walking with Integrity himself. He said that one of the most profound statements that Master Carlos said, and continues to say, is that:
“His students are an extension of his family.”
A 2013 article in GracieMag asked Master Carlos what the importance of CompNet was to Gracie Barra,
“CompNet tournaments are crucial for Gracie Barra and the students because it promotes union between Gracie Barra Professors to work together as a team to achieve the objectives of the Gracie Barra Organization.”
At the inception of CompNet, Master Carlos Jr. saw competition as a development tool. A way to adapt and become better under the pressure of competition, both the preparation for and during the actual competition.
Professor “Cafe” Dantas saw competition in the same way. He saw his Jiu-Jitsu develop and become much more robust through the preparation for, commitment to, and execution of competing. Over the past 20+ years of his training and competing, he has had some major title wins, but perhaps even more importantly, he has become a better version of himself through his efforts.
These highly accomplished athletes came from humble beginnings. None of these professors had it easy in the early stages. Professor Flavio described being uncoordinated and not a natural athlete when he began training Jiu-Jitsu. Anyone who has watched him on the mats knows that he is anything but uncoordinated.
Professor Marcio had family struggles at a critical age that set the connection with the Gracie Barra team and Master Carlos Jr. He may never have found his strength and resilience without these hurdles. They helped him become the competitive athlete and person he is known for today.
Professor Café spoke of how the competition was vital to his motivation to develop into today's fighter. Through this, he pursuit of personal excellence in all areas of his life. His transformation from “Café com Leite” to “Café” was through dedication to himself, the team, and hard work on the mats.
So to all those out there representing the red shield, understand that success takes time, a lot of effort, dedication, and resourcefulness. Set goals, embrace the struggle because it will make you stronger in ways you don’t yet understand, and use Gracie Barra's tools on your journey, like GB Online and CompNet Tournaments.
Whether your goals are to become a World Champion one day or just to challenge yourself in a new exciting way, use these stories as motivation and a way to Nurture the Competitive Spirit within you, regardless of your goal, continue training and competing, each of you help to Keep our Legacy Alive.
It is not easy, but it is worth it!!!
Stay tuned for upcoming CompNet Tournaments in your region.
Blog Written by Dawn Korsen - Gracie Barra Purple Belt