Jon Satava, Marcelo Garcia’s black belt who is taking the Jiu-Jitsu world by storm. Watch out for this guy. He submitted Kayron Gracie three weeks ago at the NY Open.
Actually, I was thinking doctor originally haha!! I guess the simple answer is I decided to pursue Jiu Jitsu full time because it’s my passion. I remember being in college seeing myself going down a path that wasn’t really for me. Some people can do the whole school/9-5 thing and there’s nothing wrong with that, I just wanted something else for my life. One weekend as a blue belt, I competed at this one tournament and lost by a small margin. It crushed me because I felt I could be doing so much better with my Jiu Jitsu if college and work wasn’t getting in the way. The following Monday I woke up and just thought to myself “that’s it, I’m not going to school today.” I started training full time chasing my goal and never looked back. It took/takes a lot of work and I had to overcome some initial adversity for sure, but I can’t imagine my life any other way.-HOW IS YOUR FAMILY REACTED/SUPPORTED YOUR DECISION?
Reluctantly supportive. It took some convincing and some demonstration that I could do BJJ successfully and make money but they came around eventually.
-AS A PRO ATHLETE HOW DO YOU MAKE A LIVING? MG..SPONSORS.. EXT
Initially, I blew through my savings, worked at a pizzeria on the weekends, and was fortunate to have my family/friends help me a bit. Now, thankfully I’m in a position where I can support myself through teaching classes, private lessons, and seminars. Also, my sponsors MGinAction, Skate-Surf-JiuJitsu, and Revolution in Motion help me quite a bit.
-RELATED TO THE LAST QUESTION, WHEN DID YOU REALIZE THAT YOU ACTUALLY MADE IT?
I don’t know if I “made it” yet or there is such a thing. This is a journey/process not a destination. But to give an answer, I’d say when I didn’t have to ask my parents for money anymore.
-BEING AN MG BLACK BELT AND BEING ASSOCIATED SO CLOSE TO THE MAN HIMSELF WITH YOUR STYLE OF BJJ DO YOU FEEL THE PRESSURE? IS THERE A BULLS-EYE ON YOUR HEAD?
I don’t really feel any pressure because of this. It’s an honor to be associated with him. I don’t think there is a bulls-eye on me, I’m a new black belt. But anyway I wouldn’t know if there was. I try not to focus on that stuff.
– WORLDS THIS YEAR? ANY PREDICTIONS, YOUR THOUGHTS
Should be fun!
–WHATS THE BEST THING ABOUT YOUR LIFE
Wow, good question. My relationships with the people I care about and who care about me. I do enjoy my alone time, especially when I can tumble around a skateboard or be at the beach, however, relationships are paramount and give life so much meaning.
-PLANS FOR THE FUTURE?
More success and happiness among other things hopefully! Jiu jitsu wise, hopefully winning some more competitions, making more money, and maybe having a school.
– ADVICE TO THE YOUNG PEOPLE?
Go after what you want, put in the effort, and enjoy it.
-FINAL QUESTION.. THAT HAIR.. IS IT REAL.. HOW DO YOU DEAL WITH IT AND ANY FINAL WORDS.. HAIR, BJJ OR ANY OTHER THING RELATED
Completely real… I deal with it easily haha!!
That’s it! Thank you so much for the interview! And thanks to my sponsors “MGinAction”, “Skate Surf Jiu-Jitsu”, and “Revolution in Motion”. Also, to all who supports me.
