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Interview: Pan & European Champ Ed Ramos On His BJJ Academy in The USA

Interview: Pan & European Champ Ed Ramos On His BJJ Academy in The USA

Ed Ramos, a jiu-jitsu black belt under Ramon Lemos is a former member of the original Atos Jiu-Jitsu Academy from Brazil (Rafael Mendes, Guilherme Mendes, Bruno Frazatto, Ary Farias, Rodrigo Caporal, and Claudio Calasans). Ed Ramos would later form his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu association in the USA, settling in Houston, Texas after a successful competitive BJJ career which includes gold medals at black belt at the IBJJF Pan Championship and gold at the IBJJF Europeans.

When and why did you start training Jiu-Jitsu? When did you decide that you would like to live off the sport?

R- I started around the 2000s after seeing some Vale Tudo and MMA fights, I was impressed to see some “skinny” guys beating giant guys without use punches just using the Jiu Jitsu techniques, I wanted to learn more about that Art the Jiu Jitsu I tried some classes in Brazil and soon I moved to Japan where it all started in the first month of training I went to compete I got the second place because I didn’t know the rules at that time, I really liked the adrenaline of the competition and so I couldn’t stop competing.
When I was a blue belt I started helping teaching classes and then soon a started to love teaching Jiu Jitsu and I saw that it was what I wanted for my life when I returned to Brazil in 2005 I was asked to teach at a gym in my hometown and in that time I was still competing and I already stood out in competitions at that time I already saw that it was possible to keeping doing Jiu Jitsu and one day have my own school.

– How was the time when you used to train at the Atos Jiu Jitsu Team with so many great fighters? What is your relationship with the Atos Jiu Jitsu team?

R- it was amazing to be part of that talented group, those guys are incredible! I learned a lot over there, we used to train 3-4 times a day, there was nowhere to run it was beaten all day, I was blessed to be able to train with guys like Mendes Bros, Ramon Lemos, André Galvão, Gilbert Burns “Durinho”, Calasans , Guto Campos, Bruno Frazatto, Ary Farias, Caporal and so many other incredible guys
Today we remain great friends. I owe a lot to the whole team.

– What were the main difficulties to settle in the USA?

R- At the beginning here in the USA it was very difficult, I didn’t know much English and I pushed myself to learn quickly.
The guys who brought me here took advantage of me, the fact that I depend on them to have a work visa gave them too much power and some people can’t deal well with it.
Thanks God after a few years I managed to overcome this situations and started work here in Houston Texas

– Why did you have the idea of ​​creating The Ed Ramos Jiu Jitsu USA? What are your goals for the Team?

R- Actually, I already had Team in parallel with Atos Jiu Jitsu, that time I had some affiliates in Brazil, and I started using the Ed Ramos Jiu Jitsu USA here because I needed to, We had some issues about the territories and contracts with some Atos affiliates over here in the area and I couldn’t use the brand. This is why we start using only the Ed Ramos Jiu Jitsu USA.
The team is growing, we already have 5 affiliates here in the area and a couple others outside Texas, We will have 2 more schools affiliated with us this year. We have a project to open 2 more schools here in Houston area in 2021 and we are already planning to bring 2 more black belts to work with us here, also we have our competition Team doing very well, we have several athletes standing out in the IBJJF competitions athletes like, Felipe Rocha, Manuel Elizondo, Trent Draper, Shannon, Jorge Aguilar, David Merino, Leonardo Oliveira, Dylan Rodriguez, and several others everything is just in the beginning! so many good things to come!

– Speaking of your work, what roles do you have on your team? How is your day to day?

R- Today I divide the classes in the school and take care of the school business, in the organization of the Team I give all the assistance that the affiliates needs in all the aspects such as provide the techniques curriculum, developing the programs, training schedules etc even in the business part, business strategies everything that involves a Success School.

– Finally, what are your plans for the future? See yourself accomplished as an Instructor, Coach and Competitor?

R- The plans are to expand our brand, our team, to open new Schools here in Texas to be able to serve more people and change many more lives for the better through Jiu Jitsu, to give opportunities for other people to live off Jiu Jitsu.
For sure to continue to fight some important championships and take my students to the main IBJJF tournaments. I love to help the new athletes achieve their goals.
I feel super fulfilled and motivated! for the future!
Thank God that I can do what I love to do. Everyone has a talent, find yours and use it to help people change their lives for the better. Oss