Today we’d like to introduce you to Rafael Barbosa.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My name is Rafael “Formiga” Barbosa, and I’m the owner and head instructor of Rafael Formiga Jiu Jitsu Academy located on Highland Village, TX. I started training Jiu Jitsu when I was 11 years old, and by the time I was 14, I was already helping teach classes at my professor’s academy. He was my coach from the very beginning – white belt all the way to black belt. I received my black belt in 2002 at the age of 19 from my professor Andre “Dedeco” Almeida.
In 2010, I moved to the United States, where I eventually became a naturalized citizen. I’ve been living in Texas for the past 8 years, more exactly in Highland Village (North Dallas), where I opened my own Jiu Jitsu Academy. I’m married and wife works alongside me every day at the academy – we run it as a family-owned and operated business. Our two amazing kids, Renzo and Raica, also train Jiu Jitsu and are part of the daily life at the gym. Having my family involved allows me to keep the things I love the most together in one place. My academy continues to grow every year and is know for having a strong, welcoming community and a family-friendly environment.
As an athlete, I’ve been fortunate to achieve many important tittles throughout my career, including:
11 x Master World Champion, 14 x PanAmerican Champion, 3 x European Champion, Brazilian National Champion, World Pro Champion, American National Champion, International Master Champion and multiple times IBJJF Open champion.
Jiu Jitsu has been my life for as long as I can remember, and I feel truly blessed to live my passion every single day while sharing it with my family and community, in a place I proudly call home – Highland Village, located in North Dallas.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Moving to a new country was one of the biggest challenges of my life. I had to leave my family, friends, and everything I knew behind in Brazil to chase my dream in the United States. Starting from scratch, adapting to a new culture, and building a reputation in a place where I was unknown was not easy.
Opening my own academy also came with many difficulties-financial risks, long hours, and the pressure of making it work not just for myself, but for my family too. My wife and I have put everything into our business, and there were moments when we doubted if we could keep going. On top of that, balancing the responsibilities of being a father, a husband, an athlete, and a business owner has required a lot of sacrifice and discipline.
But trough all the struggles, I stayed focused on my goals and kept working hard. Every obstacle has made me stronger, and looking back, I’m proud of how far we’ve come. I believe challenges are part of the journey, and they’ve helped shape who I am today-on and off the mats.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Rafael Formiga Jiu Jitsu Academy is more than just a gym-it’s a place where we build champions on and off the mats. We specialize in Jiu Jitsu for kids and adults of all levels, from beginners to advanced athletes. Our mission is to offer high-level training in a supportive and family-friendly environment.
What sets us apart is our strong sense of community and the personal connection we build with every student. My wife and I run the academy together, and our kids are also part of the team. We treat everyone like family, and we believe that Jiu Jitsu should be accessible, safe, and enjoyable for everyone-whether you’re training to compete or just looking to improve your health and confidence.
I’m proud of the culture we’ve created here. We focus not only on technique and physical development, but also on values like respect, discipline, and perseverance. Watching our students grow both on the mats and in life is what brings me the most pride.
Our academy has been growing steadily over the years, and we’re proud to be recognized as one of the top Jiu Jitsu schools in the North Dallas area. Our goal is to keep impacting lives through Jiu Jitsu-one student, one family at a time.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about our city is the strong sense of community. People here are friendly, supportive, and truly value family and connection. Highland Village is a peaceful, safe place to raise a family, and it’s been the perfect home for both my personal life and my business. I also appreciate how active and health-conscious the community is—many people are interested in wellness, fitness, and sports, which aligns perfectly with our mission at the academy.
If I had to point out something I like least, it would probably be the traffic during peak hours, especially when driving to competitions or events in the Dallas area. But honestly, that’s a small thing compared to all the positives. Overall, I feel incredibly lucky to live and work in such a great place.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.doublefivejiujitsuhv.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/doublefivejiujitsu_hv/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/doublefivejiujitsuhighlandvillage/
