IBJJF Hall of Famer Bernardo Faria Q&A: "The key to training for life is to maintain a continuous journey, no matter the pace."
The 4X World Champion talks about the benefits of the jiu-jitsu lifestyle.
Throughout his eight year competitive black belt career, IBJJF Hall of Famer Bernardo Faria accumulated titles at the Worlds, Pans, Brasileiros, and Europeans, cementing his position as one of the most accomplished athletes of his generation. His induction into the Hall of Fame took place at the 2022 Worlds, as the IBJJF recognized his achievements both on and off the mats. Although he’s retired from competition, jiu-jitsu has remained the centerpiece of Bernardo’s career. His dedication to the jiu-jitsu lifestyle has benefitted him in many ways, as he discussed in the following Q&A.
Can you talk about what the jiu-jitsu lifestyle means to you and why you think it is so beneficial to practitioners?
The Jiu-Jitsu lifestyle is central to how I live my life. What does this mean? I believe Jiu-Jitsu brings me valuable lessons both on and off the mats. For instance, practicing Jiu-Jitsu forces you to take care of your body by being mindful of your diet and hydration; neglecting this can have immediate consequences in your next training session. It promotes a very healthy lifestyle. Moreover, Jiu-Jitsu teaches us psychological resilience—on the mats, we face not only our training partners but also ourselves. It cultivates perseverance, comfort in discomfort, and humility since everyone experiences setbacks, much like in life. Understanding and embracing these aspects of Jiu-Jitsu, I am convinced, can transform your life positively.
You’ve accomplished so much in the sport, yet you continue training and teaching daily. What keeps you motivated to maintain your presence on the mats?
Jiu-Jitsu has become an inseparable part of my life. It has taught me the importance of persistence. I always advise my students to keep training, regardless of life's obstacles, even if it's only once a week or bi-weekly—just don't stop. Pausing Jiu-Jitsu can lead to a decline in physical conditioning, memory loss of techniques, and other issues like injuries or a drop in motivation when you can no longer keep up with peers you once matched. My life now is more than just teaching and training, with commitments like BJJFanatics, my academy, and my family, but I strive to persist and not let the momentum falter.
What advice would you give to jiu-jitsu practitioners who aim to train and stay on the mats for life?
My best advice echoes our previous discussion—never stop training. Your routine might vary from intensive daily sessions to occasional weekly or monthly ones, but even infrequent training is much better than none, the difference is HUGE. Keep Jiu-Jitsu as a key part of your life, even if it's not your main focus. Life may impose breaks, such as when injuries occur; so reserve your breaks for those times. A unique aspect of Jiu-Jitsu is its lifelong practice, from childhood into old age. The key to training for life, I believe, is to maintain a continuous journey, no matter the pace.