In Episode 33 of The Grappling Monthly Podcast, Professor Laercio Fernandes of Alliance Laguna Hills shares his journey from São Paulo, Brazil to building a structured, system-driven academy in Southern California.

Professor Laercio began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1993 in São Paulo. What started as a way to stay out of trouble evolved into a lifelong pursuit that included earning an engineering degree from the University of São Paulo, competing internationally, and eventually relocating to the United States to test himself against the highest level of competition.

In this conversation, we discuss:

• Training in Brazil during the 1990s Vale Tudo era

• The transition from hobbyist to professional competitor

• Moving to the United States with limited English and no clear roadmap

• Training at Alliance under Cobrinha and adapting to a structured system

• Winning IBJJF titles including Pan Ams, No-Gi Worlds, and Europeans

• Building a gym in Orange County after competition success

• Why curriculum and weekly planning matter in modern academies

• The difference between improvisation and intentional adaptation

• Competition mindset: “doer brain” vs. “talk brain”

• Preparing for IBJJF tournaments without overcorrecting fight week habits

• Teaching mixed-level classes (white belts to black belts) in the same hour

• Managing roles as instructor, business owner, parent, and entrepreneur

Professor Laercio speaks directly about the evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — from early pressure-heavy training environments in Brazil to the more structured, curriculum-based academies operating in the U.S. today. He explains how systematic training, weekly instructor meetings, and clear segmentation inside classes support long-term retention and safer training environments.

We also discuss:

• Gi vs No-Gi Jiu-Jitsu

• IBJJF rules and competition structure

• The growth of professional grappling

• Engineering mindset applied to training and business

• The importance of aligning body preparation and mental preparation before competition

• Why adapting systems does not mean abandoning fundamentals

If you train in Orange County, Professor Laercio welcomes visitors at Alliance Laguna Hills.

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