We are super excited to be partnering with a new non-profit called DreamRoot Leadership Institute. DreamRoot serves to reverse the cycles of poverty by unleashing the potential of local leaders in under-resourced communities to solve local challenges and raise up others to do the same. The objective of this partnership is to expand the impact of our Jiu Jitsu outreach efforts which we have been implementing here in the U.S. and abroad in Brazil.
Our mission is to transform people’s lives through the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — one student at a time — so that they can achieve more. We have a vision to see every person, regardless of their life’s circumstances, be given the opportunity to realize and achieve their dreams; where they are living out their fullest potential and all of society advances as a result.
Over the years, Team Passos has been involved in using Jiu Jitsu programs in the slums of Brazil and even here in Virginia as a way to reach children, youth, and adults to build life skills, mentor, and cast a higher vision for their lives. In addition to the regular gi donations, we have been training and mentoring several Jiu Jitsu Professors running BJJ initiatives in Brazil. With this new non-profit, we will be able to expand the reach and thus the impact.
These initiatives and the impact are the fruit of the collective action, heart and dreams of everyone here at Team Passos. Each of our students have been a huge part in bringing this to reality through your support and encouragement. I want to take this time to thank again everyone who has donated gis over the years. Here is a more thorough update about our gi drives.
What we’re working on in 2020:
In collaboration with DreamRoot, we will launch our first 6-month Jiu Jitsu Leader Incubator Cohort for several local leaders running programs in Northeast Brazil. These cohorts offer needed training, resources and a support network for leaders working in some challenging environments.
We are in the process of renovating one of the Jiu Jitsu academies we have been working with into a training center. The center offers additional programs like English, music, and entrepreneurial classes to students who would otherwise not have access to such programs.
In the near future we desire to roll out virtual leadership and entrepreneurial incubator cohorts for at-risk youth and underprivileged individuals.
I’d like to invite you to check out the DreamRoot website. If you would like to learn more about DreamRoot or would like to get involved, please let us know.
Bom dia and happy Labor Day! This year we roll in the 125th anniversary of Labor Day becoming a holiday in the United States. It is a holiday honoring the social and economic achievement of workers and consequently their contributions to the world. As a nation, we celebrate the value and dignity of each of our work and what it contributes to the greater society.
Upon immigrating to the U.S. over 15 years ago, I began my initial years working odd jobs from raking leaves to singing as the mouse and then cleaning toilets at Chuck E. Cheese. While the work was not easy, the hours were long, and the language was foreign, I would not change this experience for anything. There is a beauty in working with excellence in anything we are tasked with. After holding on to the vision of one day teaching Jiu Jitsu for a living and owning an academy, my dream eventually became a reality.
The testimony of an environment that allows people to progress when they work hard and pursue their dreams is not an advantage that many around the world have available to them. I am blessed to have had this opportunity here in the U.S. and am grateful for all those who have helped make this possible. It is because of having received this chance in life that I am keenly aware of my both privilege in receiving it and responsibility to steward it.
None of us arrive on our own. We are standing on the shoulders of those who have come before us. And we have an obligation to lift others up to rise together. We are called to greatness and we are capable of achieving it.
As I reflect on the Labor Day holiday, it is my hope that we each, collectively, develop our talents and ideas to contribute ingenuity and progress to the world. That we spend our time on higher pursuits. To invest our resources in the advancement of society. And wield our influence to foster unity. This is not just a hope, but it is what we work toward every day at Team Passos. It is absolutely humbling to see how far we as a team have come and what we have accomplished in such a relatively short amount of time. And to think, it all started with a dream coupled with the willingness and ability to work hard, planted in an environment that allowed it to flourish.
The world needs your dreams and your work. I encourage everyone to go after their dreams and work hard until it is realized. You will greatly impact those around you. Together we can accomplish more than we could ever imagine possible.
Jiu Jitsu has proven to be a catalyst of transformation in so many people’s lives. Over and over we hear one inspirational success story after another. From the underdog rising to victory, being able to overcome physical, emotional, and mental barriers, to Jiu Jitsu being the vehicle out of poverty. The transformation in people’s lives through the art of Jiu Jitsu is undeniable. I have experienced such transformation in my own life and have the privilege to continually witness it first-hand in my students and coaching team. But what is it about Jiu Jitsu that is so transformational?
Jiu Jitsu by nature throws us into vulnerable and uncomfortable positions where we wrestle head-on with our own limitations. It is on the mat where we come face-to-face with our personal challenges and push past what has previously held us back. But what makes Jiu Jitsu so extraordinary is the community and BJJ family you find there. It is in a supportive BJJ community that allows us to consistently come to that place of vulnerability where we learn and progress. Essentially it is relationships that transform.
Coming to the U.S. in 2004, with my family living in Brazil, I found myself without an immediate community and attempting to navigate a new culture and customs all alone. I lost no time in finding a gym to continue my Jiu Jitsu training. It was there that I met many friends who helped me learn the ropes in this new city and encouraged me to go after my dream of teaching and coaching Jiu Jitsu for a living. They are still my close friends today, 15 years later. Jiu Jitsu connects us with lifelong friends to go through the ups and downs of life together; celebrating the successes and helping us to keep going through setbacks.
As much as I appreciate the time on the mat in a gi, it is those moments outside of the class time that are the most critical. Where I have seen the most incredible transformations take place in people’s lives is on the benches off to the side of the mats and in the locker rooms. It is during the side-talks 15 to 20 minutes after class. There is no denying that when we fall into an unfavorable position while rolling, we are offered an effective tool to grow emotionally and physically. However, it is a supportive training environment with encouraging teammates that facilitates the beautiful art of Jiu Jitsu to truly shine. It is in this collaborative culture that allows us to face challenges, grow stronger and progress further in the face of adversity than if we were to go it alone.
The academy is a place to connect with others and make friends. It is a place where students and parents come to leave behind the stress from their work day and decompress before transitioning home for the evening. With busy schedules where it often requires weeks of scheduling in advance to find a time to meet up with an old friend, the academy is a constant place where you can walk in and meet-up with friends any day of the week.
The art of Jiu Jitsu and the community at the academy has a huge impact in our own lives and the lives of our family members. But you also have a huge impact in other people’s lives at the academy. Every time you walk through the doors, you have an opportunity to be a positive influence for someone else. Just a simple “hi, how are you?” can be the one interaction that transforms your teammate’s life. It may not necessarily be the technique I taught in class that day but rather a small gesture of acknowledgement that has the power to unlock a smile. And it is amazing that in the process of reaching out to others we ourselves are also blessed and transformed.
This is why I encourage all of my students to hang out after class. I see a huge difference in the students who stay a little longer. It is in those 15 to 20 minutes before, but even more after class, once you have the chance to decompress and leave it all on the mat, where relationships are built and breakthroughs happen.
The theme of our academy is that it is not about Jiu Jitsu. It is about the connections and relationships made through Jiu Jitsu. I have seen little else rival the mats of Jiu Jitsu in creating an environment that transforms lives. This is the Jiu Jitsuexperience. And I guarantee that this will be a game changer for your life.
Choose to put yourself in a situation that you know you are not yet competent in. Try a technique that you are not use to. Focus on just one. It will be uncomfortable initially You may “fail” at first. But in the end, sooner than you think, you will have gained a new competence and build a new habit .
Here is a video of the Gi donation from our students in the US to the students at Atos Pernambuco in Brazil.
The month leading up to this seminar Team Passos students in the U.S .donated gis to surprise our bothers and sisters in Northeast Brazil. Our students donated a total of 62 gis, two belts, and two pairs of shoes. These were received with gratitude and tears. Thank you so everyone who participated in blessing some very special people.
And a huge shout out to our sponsor ONDA Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for donating several of their Recife Limited Edition kimonos. It’s amazing to see the love circle back around to the city that inspired this line.
Coach Jason is a blue belt under Professor Tony Passos. Being a fan of MMA, he loved the submissions and grappling the most. Realizing how effective the ground game is led him to try out Jiu Jitsu and he has been hooked every since.
A encouraging team player is how we would describe Coach Jason. He also demonstrates the tremendous power of what showing up and working hard accomplishes. He is studying full-time in college, often wakes up by 4:00 am to work at his job at Starbucks, and makes it to the academy to train and coach in the evenings. And, he balances all of this with a upbeat and friendly attitude that is contagious.
Coach Jason shares that: “Jiu Jitsu has been a catalyst for my personal development and I am a much better human being today because of Jiu Jitsu and the great team I am surrounded by. My favorite part of coaching is the opportunity to positively influence the students — the same way I have been positively influenced through training and access to a great team. I wholeheartedly believe that Jiu Jitsu can change someone’s life. Everyone at Team Passos will welcome you into the family with open arms as soon as you walk through the doors and will work with you to achieve all your goals both on the mat and off.”
Coach Dave Lee is a brown belt under Professor Tony Passos. He began training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007. While searching for more exciting form of exercise, he discovered BJJ and never looked back. He joined Team Passos in 2015 and began coaching due to his passion for BJJ and his desire to share that with other students.
Coach Dave is an example of what the power of consistently showing up to class can accomplish. He is an extremely dedicated student of the art of Jiu Jitsu and also extremely dedicated in helping with our Intermediate program. He is always with a smile on his face and willing to give of his own time for the benefit of others.
Coach Matt is a pillar in our Fundamentals program. Coach Matt began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017. He grew up doing martial arts, and was looking to try something new after a few years hiatus. After searching the web for local BJJ academies, he found Team Passos and tried a class. His interest turned into a passion and he has been training consistently ever since.
Coach Matt welcomes and partners with newer students on the mat to help them learn proper Jiu Jitsu while also making it a fun experience. He is a hard worker and is always willing to chip in to help at the academy wherever he sees the need. Coach Matt is extremely focused on the growth of his Jiu Jitsu and embraces the process of getting out of his comfort zone in order to learn the art of Jiu Jiu and grow both on and off the mat.
Coach Megan is a brown belt under Professor Tony Passos. She started her Jiu Jitsu journey in November 2012 while living abroad in China. After moving home to the U.S. she began training at an affiliate gym, The Winchester Jiu Jitsu Academy, which led her to join Team Passos HQ in 2018. Coach Megan enjoys the challenge of competition but is most driven by her passion to share Jiu Jitsu through coaching. She is also dedicated to building women’s presence on the mat and leads women’s training events at Team Passos.
Coach Jimmy is a black belt under Professor Tony Passos. He was one of the first Team Passos students well over a decade ago. He is a true example of what consistency in training can accomplish while also being a husband and dad and building a career. Coach Jimmy has always been a great source of encouragement to everyone at the academy. His quick wit and the jokes he brings to the mat make the process of learning the art of Jiu Jitsu even more fun.
Coach Andrew Potocko is a purple belt under Professor Tony Passos. He began training Jiu Jitsu in 2011 while working and attending college part-time. Coach Andrew played multiple sports growing up, including soccer, ice hockey, lacrosse, and golf. The transition to Jiu Jitsu came after high school as “a way to exercise and stay healthy in a structured and disciplined environment.”
In 2013 he competed in the IBJJF World Championship, placing third in his division. Also during this time, he began teaching Jiu Jitsu as an Assistant Coach in the Kids “Zoo-Jitsu” and Adults Fundamentals programs. It was Coach Andrew’s experience as a coach inspired him to study education and earn a degree in kinesiology at the University of Maryland.
Coach Andrew is extremely consistent in his own training and approaches all he does with a high level of excellence. He wears multiple hats at the Team Passos. As Academy Manager he makes sure everything runs smoothly and is always a friendly face to greet everyone when they walk in. As an Instructor, he has an ability to explain the details of each position very well and is able to tailor his teaching style to the student. He enjoys helping the students understand the basic concepts and skills to provide them with a foundational knowledge of the sport.
As a purple belt under Professor Tony Passos, Coach Paul assists in teaching the Kids’ “Zoo-Jitsu” program. Having spent years learning Jiu Jitsu, he enjoys teaching the kids as a way to give back and to ensure that the knowledge of Jiu Jitsu gets passed on. Coach Paul is also a second degree black belt in karate. His inspiration to train Jiu Jitsu came from the way it applies basic principles to great effect.
Coach Paul truly gets the vision that our Jiu Jitsu program is a means of investing in our students and providing the tools to succeed in life. For him, the most fulfilling aspect of teaching the kids class is to see how quickly the kids learn and apply the art. His teaching methodology emphasizes both mental and physical skills. He encourages the kids to think through their decisions of what technique to choose and why and then the correct method to implement. Coach Paul believes that by learning BJJ, the kids are able to gain a mental framework to succeed in school and life while maintaining a physically active lifestyle.
“Those kids on the mats are the future of Jiu Jitsu, and they are the future of the world. My hope is that I can take the investments that others have made into me, and multiply it by sharing what I’ve learned with each of those children. Not just reciting techniques for them to memorize by rote, but shaping their environment and giving them the input, challenges, and encouragement needed to cause them to grow into good people, to make mental connections, to develop good habits, to lay the groundwork for a healthy lifestyle – and maybe, just maybe, put them in a position to one day do things that will amaze everyone. We hear ‘it’s not about Jiu Jitsu’ a lot, but it’s true: Jiu Jitsu is a vehicle for investing in others.” – Coach Paul
Professor Joshua Pike is a black belt under Professor Tony Passos. He began training Jiu Jitsu at the age of thirteen in Team Passos’ Kids “Zoo-Jitsu” program. At that time, Professor Josh’s little sister had wanted to try Jiu Jitsu so he and his brothers accompanied her so that she would not be alone. He is now a huge part of our team today.
Professor Josh began teaching in the fall of 2011 in State College, Pennsylvania while attending school at Penn State University. He realized quickly that he had a passion to help others grow and succeed in life through Jiu Jitsu. Professor Josh loves to train because “it can allow us to achieve anything in life.” Professor Josh graduated with a degree in kinesiology from the University of Pennsylvania and wishes to continue training to become a World Champion while attending graduate school.
He has not only become a fantastic Instructor and Coach but he has proven himself as a top competitor on the BJJ stage. He is extremely dedicated to ensuring that each student progresses in their understanding of Jiu Jitsu and improves in their own BJJ journey. Professor Josh loves being able to see the joy that students experience while they are learning the art. His commitment to his dreams, the academy and student, and the art of Jiu Jitsu inspires us all.
Below are the most recent competitions Josh has competed and placed in:
2019 CBJJ Brasileiro Championship – 3rd Place 2019 Chicago Spring Open – 3rd Place Fight 2 Win Pro 82 Winner Fight 2 Win Pro 70 Winner 2018 Atlanta Winter Open – 2nd Place Fight 2 Win Pro 53 Winner – Submission of the night Fight 2 Win Pro 42 Winner 2017 Atlanta Winter Open – 1st Place 2016 Miami Winter Open – 2nd Place 2016 Long Beach Winter Open – 1st Place 2016 IBJJF Atlanta Winter Open – 1st Place 2015 IBJJF Seattle Open – 1st Place 2013 IBJJF New York Open – 3rd Place 2011 IBJJF New York Open – 2nd Place 2009 IBJJF World Championships – 3rd Place
Professor Tony Passos is one of the few Brazilian Jiu Jitsu black belts under Ricardo de la Riva. He is currently an IBJJF certified third degree black belt and a proud member and coach of Team Atos Jiu Jitsu.
Professor Tony started training Jiu-Jitsu at 18 years old in Recife, Brazil and began teaching in 2002. He has trained with and learned from world champions such as Andre Galvao, Guto Campos, Claudio Calasans and many others.
Tony has won and medaled in many prestigious competitions such as:
IBJJF Chicago Open 2013 IBJJF Chicago Open 2012 IBJJF Pan American Championships 2011 Abu Dhabi Pro 2010 IBJJF Pan American Championships 2010 IBJJF Houston Open 2010 IBJJF US National Championships 2009 BJJF Miami Open 2009
Having retired from competing to pursue his passion of teaching and coaching, Professor Tony coaches some of the top world Jiu Jitsu athletes on the biggest world stages of Jiu Jitsu. He brings the skill and experience of an accomplished BJJ practitioner and world-renowned coach to his local students and affiliates. His passion for teaching the art of Jiu Jitsu is undeniable. When he is coaching or even teaching class you can hear Professor Tony a mile away. He brings a sense of humor to the mats and as well as an unsurpassed work ethic.
Professor Tony has dedicated himself to the development of his students both on and off the mat. He works closely with all of his students on goal settings and developing personal training plans and competition strategies. His gift of teaching and exceptional knowledge of Jiu Jitsu allows him to break down a complex position in a step-by-step, easily understood manner. His teaching style consists of explaining a position from various angles while tailoring the instruction to best suit the student’s learning style and body style.
Professor Tony also works with each of our coaches and affiliates to pass along this holistic approach to Jiu Jitsu and comprehension of the art so that our students will be able to understand and apply the art of Jiu Jitsu at the highest level.
Above all, Professor Tony believes that Jiu Jitsu allows anyone to improve and transform their own lives through focus and consistently putting in the work on the mat while enjoying the journey together.
Jiu Jitsu has proven to be a catalyst of transformation in so many people’s lives. Over and over we hear one inspirational success story after another. From the underdog rising to victory, being able to overcome physical, emotional, and mental barriers, to Jiu Jitsu being the vehicle out of poverty. The transformation in people’s lives through the art of Jiu Jitsu is undeniable. I have experienced such transformation in my own life and have the privilege to continually witness it first-hand in my students and coaching team. But what is it about Jiu Jitsu that is so transformational?