Why some students worry about when they will change belts? FORGET that! Focus on improve your skills and gather knowledge! That REALLY doesn't matter, it's not only a beautiful speech to look good, the belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is NOT important!

When the belt doesn't matter to you, it will come before you think you were ready for it!

It happened to me as purple, brown and black. Don't get me wrong, I was super excited to get my yellow belt, I was only 12. I have to admit it was a bit painfull, as a kid to wait the next 3 years for my blue belt without any stripes, since that was not normal in Jiu-Jitsu when I started, but I never dare to ask or mention any belts (I could have got orange and green in the mean time).

This whole time I always was focused in becoming better, so much that after another 3 years in my blue belt, I got the purple and felt like "WHAT? Are you serious? Im not ready for that", another 3 years same happen, I was so surprised to get my brown (3 years and it was a BIG surprise for me).

Can you imagine that? No need to say that When Comprido told me he wanted to give my black belt, I almost beg him to wait an extra year. 

It almost make you think that Im against belts in BJJ, right? Not at all, don't get me wrong. I think both belts and stripes are very important and I like the idea of some academies who make more belts, such as white&blue or blue&purple... What I hate is the idea of getting the belt as fast as possible, I see people who are not interested on improving their skill, learn new techniques, try it while rolling, not changing their game. What goes on the mind of those people?

Even worse, I see people changing teams and teachers trying to get belt faster on the proccess! (???) What is going on? 

Let me tell you one thing and remember my words:

- You can not fake Jiu Jitsu. You can not pretend to know Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I don't know enough about other martial arts to assure its the same or not, but I do know BJJ and if you pretend to have a level you don't, it will show on the mat, sooner or later.

I have a student who told me: "Felipe, don't give me belt, give me level!" 

He is a genius, I have no doubt he will reach a great level in our sport, he has the perfect mindset and made me relax about the most important thing, which is the technique, not the belt.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is for real! Find the best teacher for you, follow his advice and hit the mat! There is no shortcut, no secrets! 

Felipe Costa explica brevemente a diferença entre um faixa Branca e um faixa preta no Jiu Jitsu, durante um seminário realizado no Rio De Janeiro.
Felipe Costa se tornou o primeiro faixa preta a conquistar o título Mundial sem nunca antes ter conquistado ouro em outra competição da CBJJ ou IBJJF

CHECK OUT PHOTOS HERE: facebook.com/felipecosta

Find out more about BLACK BELT EXPERIENCE HERE: brazilianblackbelt.com/training-in-rio-de-janeiro

I made my boyfriend tap twice last night…

A testament to Felipe Costa and the Brazilian Black Belt Experience

If I had told you this a month ago I would be lying if I didn't also tell you he tapped because he felt sorry for me :) BUT... in July (2013) we travelled to Rio De Janeiro to fulfil a lifetime dream Clinton had 
to train and learn BJJ in Brazil. We felt so lucky and blessed that Felipe had a vacancy for us both to come and train with him in his home town. Even though I only had a couple of BJJ lessons before I also chose the Gold package so we could experience everything together, I am so very happy that I did. 

We arrived in Rio and we were met by Felipe at the Airport, I think it took about 2 seconds for us to feel so welcome as if we were meeting a long lost friend. 

Training with Felipe was incredible, he was a brilliant teacher and gave us an awesome game plan. Every day brought so many more techniques, Felipe really explained everything perfectly in a way that made it easier to remember but at the same time very detailed. We got to train most days (sometimes twice a day if we wanted) at the De La Riva Academy with De La Riva himself, wow that was amazing! We were treated like friends of Felipe, the students made us feel comfortable and helped us with the techniques. Everyone was so high level it was phenomenal.

Felipe took us to the most beautiful places, waterfalls, rainforest walks, lookouts, the Sugar Loaf, the city and so much more. We never would have been able to do half of what we did without him and it wouldn't have been as fun. We we ate so much delicious food and I even learnt how to make Brazilian sweets (Brigadeiro) you must try this!! Our accommodation was right in the heart of Copaacabana and one street from the beach, everything was perfect. 

We really had the most amazing experience and made a lifetime friend, I recommend it for everyone at any level of BJJ, even beginners like me. Please if you have the chance BOOK NOW.

Thank you so much Felipe, we can't wait to come back again.
Your friends, Jessica de Masson and Clinton Whittaker, Australia