Mathaus
black belt
I started jiu-jitsu when I was 11 years old. This was back in Brazil, in my hometown. I trained under one of Draculino’s first black belts, Alexandre. He still lives there. That’s where my story began.
I was a troublemaker in school. I fought a lot — punching, kicking — nobody could control me. Once I started jiu-jitsu, I learned how to control my energy. I realized I could really hurt someone if I wasn’t careful. Jiu-jitsu taught me better ways to handle conflict. After that, I stopped fighting and never caused trouble again.
I came to America in April 2016. Professor Thiago invited me. He had known me since I was a yellow belt. I thought, “If everything goes wrong, it’s still a good life experience.” But everything went right.
Back in Brazil, I was under Vinícius “Draculino” Magalhães of Gracie Barra. Draculino grew up with Renzo Gracie in Rio — fighting on the beach, surfing, everything. When I moved here, I always wanted to train at Gracie. I knew the family’s history. I watched them on YouTube as a kid. Training with them felt like living a dream. My first day of training in the U.S. was at Midtown in Igor Gracie’s class. I trained six times a day in Brazil, so I came in as a blue belt with eight or nine years of experience. The instructors watched me submit a lot of higher belts, so they approached to ask who I trained under. I explained I had just arrived, didn’t have a job or money, and asked if I could get a discount for helping out. Igor said, “Don’t worry. Tell the front desk you’re under me, you can train whenever you want.” From then on, I trained morning, afternoon, and night. Because I was always there, opportunities turned up. They had me help with privates and teaching. So, that’s how it started.
Q: This may be one of the best kids’ programs in the country. One time, I walked in here to see three black belts teaching 30 kids. How did that happen?
My kids’ program is strong for two reasons:
I started as a kid with no discipline. I see myself in these kids.
I learned from great teachers here.
I used to spend all day at 30th Street helping with privates for Gregor Gracie, Igor Gracie, Fábio, Rafa, and Renzo. Sometimes 14 privates a day. I didn’t speak English. I had no money. They’d pay me $20 and I’d learn jiu-jitsu AND English. I thought that was incredible. Later, Gregor asked me to teach at his academy in Brooklyn Heights. I was the lowest belt instructor, but I had the most experience on the mats. I showed up on time and I loved it. Eventually, I took over the program, though not for the money. Because I love kids and I love jiu-jitsu.
In 2019, right before Covid, Luca invited me to the Upper West Side. Their children’s program had 3-year-olds training with 12-year-olds. I separated groups into 3–5, 6–8, and 9–14. Everything improved, so Luca offered me a full-time job.
Now we have more than 300 kids
Every kid is different, but girls usually improve faster because they pay attention. We have a girl, Aria, who is a champion. She trains a lot, and it has changed her life. Her father told me that she goes to school, and the teachers say she finishes all the activities before everyone else. She does everything right, and she’s a few steps ahead of everyone because she knows: I have to do this. So, let me do it. Just do it. The faster and better you are, the more free time you’ll have. Because of that, the school lets her leave early to train. If she has to travel somewhere, this school lets her go, because they know she is disciplined and gets the job done. That’s the way that she is on the mat and outside of the mat.
Everyone is welcome in my class — but if you stare at your toes or the ceiling, I’ll call you out. If you don’t pay attention, someone will choke you, you’ll cry, and I have to stop class to babysit you. Kids have to pay attention here and they do. Parents tell me all the time, “Since he started jiu-jitsu, my kid is the only one paying attention in school. When he is crossing the street. At tennis. At volleyball. ”
Q: My son Owen changed completely after starting jiu-jitsu. He’d come home, get his own food, set his plate, do his homework, clean up, put on his gi, and go to class. He became disciplined and responsible.
Nobody can take that from him. I knew right away Owen was smart — shy, but smart.
Some one-on-one training opened him up. When he saw the techniques work on other kids, he wanted more.
Jiu-jitsu teaches immediate consequences: If A happens, and you do B, then C happens. Kids understand that. They apply it everywhere. Like I tell my wife: No matter how big the problem is, you can be bigger than the problem. There’s always a solution.
I ask students: Are your nails cut? Are you standing up straight? But most importantly, are you looking people in the eye?
My father taught me: If someone can’t look you in the eye, they’re lying or not confident.
There are no bad kids — only bad training or bad parenting. Many parents seem to want to be friends, not parents. They tie their ten-year-olds’ socks. They spoil them too much. Every kid can be exceptional, but they need to stand on their own feet. They need to understand struggle early.
Q: I overheard you tell the class that there would be no belt promotions for kids wearing masks.
That got me into a lot of trouble, but I hated the idea of kids wearing masks. I never agreed with it. But I didn’t want the gym shut down, so we followed the rules. After they eased the rules, some kids kept wearing them. One kid was getting choked by his own mask during a back escape drill. I told him to take it off. His mom acted like I was the worst person alive. But his father trained here as well and never wore a mask, so I did not back down.
Q: What do you love most about jiu-jitsu?
Nobody can take it away from you. At one point, I stayed at the same belt for eight years. I could’ve quit. I love knowing I can control a person without punching or kicking them. Once you understand that on the mat, you apply it to life. You walk confidently. I can walk into any room knowing there is always a way out.
Q: Give me an example outside the mat where it helped you.
In the New York subway, someone crazy came into the car, screaming his head off. Everyone ran back to the back or out the doors. I stayed right where I was and looked him in the eye. He looked back, then shut up and walked away.
He has two arms and two legs. So do I. There’s no king here.
When I was 16 in Brazil, I fought MMA against a 26-year-old brown belt. I was a green belt. He rushed me in the cage, throwing punches. I took him down and choked him. Everyone in high school thought I was cool after that, but really, anyone can do it if they work hard. I was chubby when I started. Consistency is everything.
Q: Why do you say anyone?
Because the mats tell the truth. You will learn who you are. On the mats, some people panic when they get choked, some tap early, and some won’t pay attention. Belts mean nothing. Hours mean everything. A blue belt training six times a week can beat a purple or brown belt who trains once a week. You have to put the work in because the belt can’t fight for you.
I train every day. If I don’t train, I get stressed. After teaching, I’ll still go roll at 30th Street, or Brooklyn, or City Jiu-Jitsu. I look for rounds that make me uncomfortable.
If you stay comfortable, you don’t grow.
Jiu-jitsu changed my life. I want to do it forever. It’s a lifestyle: eat well, sleep well, hydrate, don’t drink too much.
Many of my students skip happy hour because they want to make the 7am class. They spend more time with their kids.
Their whole life improves.
That’s jiu-jitsu. It changes lives.
This is part of a weekly series on the people who make up jiu-jitsu culture.
