Vicente Júnior is a 5th degree Black Belt, IBJJF World Champion, and multiple time IBJJF Pan American Champion. At 15 years old, Gabriel Silva is a 3x IBJJF Pan Kids Champion, 3x European Kids Champion, and a AJP Abu Dhabi World Youth Pro Champion. In 2023, Gabriel was ranked #1 in the IBJJF Kids Gi rankings followed by being ranked #1 in the Kids NoGi rankings in 2025. Both are widely regarded as two of the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) competitors and coaches in the world. They’re also father and son.

I’ve had the chance to learn from and train with these two exceptional human beings for the past four and a half years. As you’ll hear in our conversation, their wisdom extends far beyond the mats.

In this conversation, we discuss:

* A champion’s mindset

* Knowing your why

* Managing pressure

* Setbacks vs failure

* Lessons from BJJ for life

* Curiosity

* Transcendence

* Remaining good while becoming great

* And much more

To become the best in the world at anything requires significant time, effort, and intention. While you need to be willing to make sacrifices to become great, you never need to compromise your character.

The stories and perspectives VJ and Gabriel share in this podcast can be applied to any life domain to become the best version of yourself. Find your path and use it to live life to the fullest.

Find more from VJ and Gabriel through their gym – Conquest.

More of VJ’s story and competition history can be found on BJJ Heroes.

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