Today we’d like to introduce you to Marcus Antelante.
Hi Marcus, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I born on May 16, 1984, in Rio de Janeiro — Brazil, growing up between the Mangueira and the Tijuca neighborhoods.
My first contact with martial art started training in Taekwondo during elementary school days, my wild behavior got him suspended at the age of eight. Disenchanted by the suspension, since it chose not to return to the Korean striking martial art. However, six years later, I made my comeback to combat sports, starting my grappling experience through the Brazilian catch wrestling style of luta livre esportiva (LLE). Shortly after that first LLE experience, I signed on to Jiu-Jitsu classes.
Even though Jiu-Jitsu was just as popular as football in the neighborhood, it took me fifteen years to truly give the martial art a try. However, from the moment I started and never stopped training. André Terencio was my very first coach, one of the top instructors in the country. It was André who guided me throughout my lower belt career, grading the Tijuca grappling prospect from white to brown belt.
As a brown belt, I joined forces with the Soul Fighters (SF) academy. It was through my SF coach, Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa that gave had his first opportunity to work as a Jiu-Jitsu coach on North American land. This opportunity came about in 2010 when I worked at American Top Team in Atlanta as a substitute coach for Roan Carneiro (Jucao) for a few months, after competing at the IBJJF Pan American and World Championships.
The following year I returned to the US to compete at the World Championships. There I got prepared for the famous Jiu-Jitsu tournament at Caio Terra’s training camp, where I made acquaintance with a gym owner who was searching for a high-level instructor to coach at his gym in San Antonio, Texas. After analyzing the proposal, I decided to accept the position, bringing my wife Victoria Antelante to the US.
My experience in San Antonio was short-lived, but it did not take me long to get back on my feet. In November 2014, I’m settled in Dallas (Irving) – TX where I ran my academy, MABJJ ACADEMY…
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think the biggest obstacle for an immigrant is to arrive only with a passion to teach and share their knowledge with people without mastering the language, without the necessary documentation to lead a dignified life and without obstacles, I believe these were them my biggest difficulties here in these 10 years in the US.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’m a martial artist and I am a physical education professional but currently, I work only teaching jiujitsu classes for adults and children at my academy, seminars, refereeing and I manage approximately 10 jiujitsu schools around the world.
I believe that what makes me the most proud is today that I can help my family just with everything I learned in jiu-jitsu.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
Be humble and thankful always because tomorrow belongs only to God…
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: mabjjacademy.com
- Instagram: @mabjjacademy
- Facebook: MA BJJ ACADEMY
Image Credits
Victoria Antelante
Jim Pisoni
Now foods Warrior cbd
Reform orthosports
Dr. Travis Mann
Ares BJJ
MA BJJ ACADEMY
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