Leo Vieira – a celebrated figure in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as both a competitor and coach – recently shared his nuanced views on the contentious issue of PED use in the sport.

Vieira began by clarifying his personal stance, firmly stating that PEDs were never part of his journey:

For me, it was very natural.
From my upbringing at home, my personal values, and the education I had with [Romero “Jacare” Cavalcanti], you know?

I never dabbled in it.
I always had fear.

While Vieira refrains from outright condemning those who use PEDs, he emphasized the importance of adhering to the rules set by the sport’s governing bodies:

I’m not someone who says: “Ah, I’m in favor”, or “I’m against.”
I’m against anything that goes against the sport.

If the sport tells you not to use it, then it’s not cool to use it. If certain federations allow it, then it’s fine.
Other federations don’t say anything, so people were using it anyway.

Vieira revealed that he often faced opponents who were likely using PEDs:

I knew I was going to grapple against people who used it.
It didn’t bother me.

If it had bothered me, I would have had two choices: either take it myself to compensate, or change sports.
Or I would have just sat down and said: “That’s as far as I can go.”

It was never something that bothered me.

It was difficult (being around PEDs) with all those things: steroids, drugs.
Back then, in places like Ipanema, with those guys from the surf scene and that whole movement, it was everywhere.

As a coach, Vieira maintained a hands-off approach – advising athletes to consult professionals if they chose to explore PEDs:

What I always said was: “Look, I advise you not to take anything, because it’s something I don’t know about.”

I didn’t restrict anyone, but I told them to seek guidance from professionals – doctors, nutritionists, experts in the field.

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