This may not be the biggest story of overcoming that you've read, and I can not say that with the next lines you will feel so inspired and motivated that your life will change. It would be an exaggeration to expect that from you from these few lines.

I could write many more lines, but today no one reads long articles on the internet, and I don't want to exaggerate the drama.

Ok, no more beating around the bush - last year (2014) was my worst year in this amateur sport that I love and turned into my profession, jiu-jitsu. In my output, I completely lost the courage to maintain a strict diet and cut the weight to my official category (Rooster weight, the lightest in Jiu Jitsu). This strongly contributed to the decision for me to avoid fighting in the adult category, even though I am already two age categories above it.

While I could not find the motivation to make myself make weight, possibly because I have been doing it for 10 years already, I could not forgive myself for that. The internal conflict of seeing the reality of my age and seeing myself move further and further away from my physical peak, despite having medaled in all of the international events in the previous season and after having won the gold medal in my last try at the traditional RIO OPEN was very difficult. Even with these good results, finally the shock of reality stared me in the eye and challenged me to take the foot off the accelerator.

The fear of losing has never, ever existed in me, but it would be better to stop before the losses become routine. Stopping would be a safe decision for my career, having managed to stay in the top three of the most important national and international championships of Jiu-Jitsu for over 10 years, having achieved gold medal at least once in all of the tournaments I've tried, except the PAN (3 silver), and in the black belt division. In theory it seems like the perfect time to stop, but an athlete's fuel does not come from medals hanging on the wall. What makes an athlete's blood boil and the butterflies in his stomach are the challenges ahead, not the ones in the past.

So there were strong moments of doubt and anguish, but in mid-May of 2014 I had to find out what was the cause of pain that I had been dealing with for many months or even years, because I'm not sure exactly when it started since pain in Jiu Jitsu is very common on a daily basis. Sometimes I struggle to remember that the pain is even there. But this time, the pain I felt in the back was paralyzing me.

With the proper tests in hand, I went to see a specialist that was highly recommended. When looking at the evidence he asked "Have you suffered a car accident?". Then you get an idea of what I felt, even though doctors exaggerate. The words from his mouth were "I advise you to not train Jiu-Jitsu anymore" or I would be putting myself at serious risk.

Imagine someone ripping your identity from you and telling you that you are no longer that person. That was my feeling after seeing the possibility of no longer being able to have Jiu-Jitsu in my life. I was completely aimless, but the pain was so strong that I had moments that I thought that the price to pay to not feel what I was feeling was stopping JJ. (So you imagine the level of pain).

Time passed, I was looking after me with everything that was in my power and the crisis passed. I was talking to friends who have gone through similar thing, many professionals and was seeing a light at the end of the tunnel. A student who became a great friend pointed me to another doctor and gave me a lot of support, sometimes looking like he wanted more for me to get better than myself. The other doctor was much more optimistic, but said I should only compete if as a "master" (my age division), there was no need to take the risk of fighting in the adult division. "You are not 20 anymore," he said.

At that time, the idea of fighting "master" (for those who do not know is the age category above 30 years), even if it was far away, seemed like a great deal for someone who thought they could not even train. After six months without putting on the kimono, when I finally put it back on, it was only to teach techniques in events I couldn't cancel. Gradually I was risking more, and doing super light workouts. 

In December 2014, I began to slowly increase the pace. I found that at least for now, I still can not train daily as before. What has worked for me are two days of training and a rest, plus the weekend, ie, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Weekend rest also, at least from the kimono.  

At the end of December I decided I felt good training and signed up for the European Championship of Jiu Jitsu. I was the champion in 2008 in the adult category. It was scheduled for the last weekend of January in Lisbon. This championship is the most prestigious in Europe and this year broke the record with 3500 registered athletes.

I signed up in my age category, and had 11 other athletes including Brazilians (the league is open), Italians, Spanish, Swedish and Finnish. My fights were not the most difficult of my life, but to have my arm raised in the end made my eyes watered slightly. Not because of the gold, but to know that my worst year is behind me. Hard times will always pass. How the rest of the year will go, I can not predict, but I look forward to it without haste! Welcome 2015.

O pior ano passou. Sempre passa.

Não que seja a maior historia de superação que você já leu, nem posso dizer que com as próximas linhas você vai se sentir tão inspirado e motivado que sua vida vai mudar. Seria um exagero esperar isso de você ou você esperar isso dessas poucas linhas.

Poderiam ser muitas linhas, mas dizem que hoje em dia ninguém lê texto grande na internet e eu tão pouco quero exagerar no drama.

Chega de rodeios, ano passado (2014) foi meu pior ano profissional, nesse esporte amador que amo e virou minha profissão que é o Jiu- Jitsu. De saída, perdi completamente o ânimo de fazer dieta rígida e descer de peso para minha categoria oficial (peso Galo, a mais leve do JJ), isso contribuiu fortemente para que eu evitasse lutar na categoria adulto, mesmo já fazendo parte de duas categorias de idade acima.

Ao mesmo tempo que não encontrava o ânimo de me forçar a estar no peso, talvez pelos mais de 10 anos nesse ritmo, não conseguia me perdoar por isso. O conflito interno de ver a realidade da idade chegar e me ver mais e mais longe do meu auge físico, apesar de ter feito a temporada anterior medalhando em todos os eventos internacionais e ter levado o ouro na minha última disputa de galo no tradicional RIO OPEN, mesmo com esses bons resultados, finalmente o choque da realidade me encarava nos olhos e me desafiava a tirar o pé do acelerador. 

O medo de perder nunca, jamais existiu em mim, mas não seria melhor parar antes das derrotas se tornarem rotina? Parar então seria uma decisão segura para carreira, consegui me manter entre os três melhores, nos campeonatos nacionais e internacionais mais importantes do Jiu-Jitsu, por mais de 10 anos, tendo conseguido medalha de ouro em todos que disputei, exceto o PAN (3 pratas), isso na faixa preta. 

Na tese parece o momento perfeito de parar, mas o combustível do atleta não são as medalhas penduradas na parede, o que faz o sangue do atleta ferver e o frio na barriga são os desafios a frente e não os passados. 

Por isso vivia momentos de dúvidas e forte angústia, mas em meados de maio, pesquisando a razão de dores que eu ia lidando há muitos meses ou até anos, pois nem sei precisar, já que elas são partes comuns no dia a dia e as vezes tenho dificuldades até de lembrar quando não as sentia, seja aqui ou ali. Mas dessa vez, a dor que sentia nas costas,me paralisava. 
Com os devidos exames em mãos fui visitar um especialista muito bem recomendado, ao olhar a ressonância perguntou "Você sofreu algum acidente de carro?". Daí você tira uma idéia do que sentia, mas nada doeu mais ouvir, mesmo sabendo que os médicos exageram, sair da boca dele que "aconselhava que eu não treinasse mais Jiu-Jitsu" ou estaria me colocando em sério risco.

Imagina alguém rasgar a sua identidade e falar para você que já não é mais aquela pessoa. Foi essa a minha sensação ao ver a possibilidade de não mais poder ter o Jiu-Jitsu na minha vida. Fiquei completamente sem rumo, mas a dores eram tão fortes, que haviam momentos que pensei que se o preço a pagar para não sentir o que estava sentindo era ficar sem o JJ, talvez eu topasse. (Daí você imagina o nível da dor).

O tempo foi passando, fui me cuidando com tudo que estava ao meu alcance e a crise foi passando, fui conversando com amigos que passaram por coisa semelhante, vários profissionais e fui vendo uma luz no fim do túnel. Um aluno que se tornou um grande amigo me indicou outro médico e me deu muito apoio, parecendo as vezes que ele queria mais a minha melhora do que eu mesmo. O outro médico foi muito mais otimista, mas categórico "Lute de master*, não há necessidade de correr o risco de lutar de adulto, você não tem mais vinte anos"

Naquele momento poder lutar de "master*" (*para quem não sabe é a categoria de idade acima de 30 anos), mesmo que fosse demorar, já parecia um ótimo negócio para quem achou que não poderia nem treinar. 

Foram seis meses sem colocar o kimono, quando coloquei foi somente para mostrar técnicas em compromissos inadiáveis. Aos poucos fui me arriscando mais, fazendo treinos super leves. Em dezembro de 2014 comecei a aumentar o ritmo lentamente, descobri que pelo menos por enquanto, ainda não posso treinar diariamente como antes. O que tem funcionado para mim são dois dias de treino e um de descanso, mais o fim de semana, ou seja, segunda, terça, quinta e sexta. Fim de semana descanso também, ao menos do kimono. 

No fim de Dezembro resolvi que me sentia bem treinando e me inscrevi no Campeonato Europeu de JiuJitsu, que eu havia sido campeão em 2008 na categoria adulto, marcado para o último fim de semana de janeiro em Lisboa. Esse campeonato é o de maior prestigio na Europa e esse ano bateu o recorde com 3500 atletas inscritos.

Me inscrevi na minha categoria de idade, haviam outros 11 atletas entre brasileiros (o campeonato é aberto), Italianos, Espanhóis, Suecos e Finlandeses. Minhas lutas não foram as mais difíceis da minha vida, mas ao ter meu braço levantado na final, meus olhos marejaram levemente, não pelo ouro, mas por saber que o pior ano passou. Sempre passa. Como será o resto do ano eu não posso prever, mas aguardo para saboreá-lo sem pressa! Bem vindo 2015.

BrazilianBlackBelt BJJ CAMP Cancun 2014 was a success! We are already planning 2015's BJJ CAMP, would you like to MAKE A RESERVATION or have more info about it? email right now to felipepcs@hotmail.com

This camp is designed for the BJJ practitioner who wants to improve their techniques and yet have a great vacation. Whether you are a competitor who is looking to improve your tournament game, or someone who have BJJ as a hobby and is looking to improve while have fun.

Our commitment and experience as pioneers of JIU JITSU CAMPS will take you to a new level, no matter who you are or what you are looking for. You will leave the camp different than when you arrived, both from the technique aspect of it and the great fun memories you will take back. With over 10 years of camp experience, Comprido and Felipe Costa knows how to get the most out of the campers. They will not only show the campers how to get better and train the right way, they will do it alongside them.

We strongly believe the BJJ learning process needs to be fun and the relax atmosphere we present is a proof of that.

On top of that , we will have as special guest, no one less than ROMULO BARRAL, from Gracie Barra, a phenomenal athlete who have conquered all major grappling tournament and is consider a great person and teacher, during a 2 days exclusive seminar.

As you look around and make plans for the camp season, you have to look no further than Brazilian Black Belt BJJ CAMP. If you really want to take your Jiu Jitsu to a new level, this camp is for you. You are just a step away from the best time of your life! See you at camp!

This camp is offered for 10 days, and the space is limited, the sooner you make your reservation, the cheaper you will pay, check price details below and email felipepcs@hotmail.com NOW to assure your spot.

NEXT Brazilian Black Belt BJJ CAMP schedule to September 04, 2015, in CANCUN

With the success of 2012, 2013 and 2014 edition, Felipe Costa and Rodrigo Comprido have decided to do it again!

2013 especial guest was Caio Terra, last year Ricardo De La Riva and it was a success! Guest who is our special guest this year?

All I can say is that this guy is a fenomenal athlete, have compete and conquer all major IBJJF tournaments, not only that but this master from Gracie Barra Team is consider a great teacher and an specialist in spider guard.
Romulo will be teaching two days, on September

Check out this year's instructors:

"I have always heard good things about the Brazilian Black Belt CAMP, I honored to be invited to teach there and I look forward to it" - said Romulo Barral, from Gracie Barra team

"I think everyone already know that the politics doesn't help the learning process in BJJ, having Romulo Barral from Gracie Barra teaching as our special guest at the BJJ CAMP it's a fenomenal opportunity to proof that and even better to learn from someone with so much experience" said third Degree Black Belt and World Champion Felipe Costa 

"I think our CAMP is getting better and better each year. I can even say how excited I am to return" said 2x black belt open weight champion of the World Rodrigo Comprido

Here is a video of the resort and below all the info regards the CAMP:

DATE:

September 04 until September 14 - 2015

Make sure to schedule your arrival Sept 04 and departure Sept 14, preferably in the morning

LOCATION:

The resort is few min. from airport in Cancun. Make sure to schedule your arrival to the airport in CANCUN and we will take care of you from there.

INVESTMENT:

In our all inclusive package you get: Transfer from airport to the resort and back to the airport, accommodation at the resort, all meals and two classes a day with Black Belt World Champions, Rodrigo Comprido and Felipe Costa.

All this included on the price of only US$1990 for 10 first student who sign up, the next 10 students will pay US$2250 and the following students will pay US$2490.

Wife/husband who is coming but not training US$1300

One Kid younger than 5 is free

Kids up to 12 pay US$700

Kids from 12 to 15 who are training pay US$1300

RESERVATION:

In order to guarantee your reservation you need to make a non refundable payment of 30% and send us a copy of your ticket.

Are you an instructor on your academy?

We have a special deals for schools and BJJ instructor, email Felipe right now (felipepcs@hotmail.com ) with the subject: "I’m an Instructor and want to join the CAMP in CANCUN" to have more info.

What will the schedule be like?

We will copy the successful formula we have been doing in our CAMP in Rio. Two classes a day, around the fifth day we take a day off, where we will visit the sightseeing on Cancun.

What do I do when I arrive in the airport?

Look for Comprido or Felipe Costa, one of them will be there waiting for you.

What other activities we can do, besides the BJJ classes?

There are plenty activities that can be done during the free time:

- water ski and wakeboard for both experienced and first timers*

- parachute which can hold up to two people at the same time*

- jet skies*

- visiting the famous sight sees from Cancun *

- swim with dolphins*

- a large variety of towable water games

- tennis court

- basketball court

- volleyball court

- soccer field

- pools with bar

* some activities are charge separately

I train under another affiliation, can I enter the CAMP?

YES, the CAMP is not made for any specific team. Everyone is welcome, despite the team or level of instruction.

Do I share room with someone else?

Yes, you will share room with up to 3 people. Unless if you come with your wife/girlfriend, on that case you will have your own room.

Arrangements can be made if you would like to stay by yourself at one room, but an extra charge will be applied in this case.

Can I bring my wife and kids?

Yes, many of our students do and if they don’t train they will have a big discount, plus you will have your own room.

What are the students level?

As we teach the concepts (the way things work), the different levels of students is not a problem. We have had students from white belts to black belts and they were all pleased at the end. We have had martial arts lovers who had never put on a BJJ gi before, but at the end they were feeling quite comfortable with BJJ.
We will be giving FULL-TIME attention during the classes, not only teaching but also rolling while correcting the mistakes. This will allow us to address everyone's BJJ needs with 100% satisfaction.
How much rolling will I get with Comprido and Felipe Costa?

Both Comprido and Felipe will roll everyday, so chances are that you will roll with him everyday or at least a lot.

If you have any other question, don’t hesitate on contact us: felipepcs@hotmail.com

and Felipe will answer you personally in less than 24hrs.