A Syracuse Jiu Jitsu Gym Teaches Confidence and Resiliency. A Syracuse Jiu Jitsu Gym Teaches Confidence and Resiliency.

Avery Gingerich: “Okay. We’re recording. Can I get your full name?”

Diego Ramos: “Diego Ramos.”

Avery Gingerich: “Diego spelled D-I-E-G-O?”

Diego Ramos: “Correct.”

Avery Gingerich: “Ramos: R-A-M-O-S?”

Diego Ramos: “Yes.”

Avery Gingerich: “Cool. How long have you been doing jiu jitsu, Diego?”

Diego Ramos: “24 years.”

Avery Gingerich: “24 years. And you started in Brazil?”

Diego Ramos: “I started in Brazil.”

Avery Gingerich: “What, there’s probably been a lot of changes in that time, what has jiu jitsu brought into your life? What has it changed about your life?”

Diego Ramos: “Confidence. Umm, I was like an overweight kid with low self-esteem. And after my first jiu jitsu class, I couldn’t fit in at any other sports. I tried to play soccer, which is huge in Brazil, basketball, and I was always on the bench because I couldn’t play nothing.

My first jiu jitsu class I tackled down a guy and everybody cheers for me. I felt so welcome, and after that day, that’s it. So, from then to now, it just has changed my life in different aspects, like psychology and physically as well.”

Avery Gingerich: “And, so some of these guys are going down to New York (New York City) to compete in an IBJJF national tournament. What do you hope these guys and gals get out of competition?”

Diego Ramos: “I usually say that one tournament equals six months of hard training. Not physically but mentally. I remember when I brought a guy to a tournament once. After he compete, he lost, he comes to me, looks in my eyes and starts crying. He goes: ‘This changed my life. Thank you for pushing me to be here.’

Because it’s such a good experience. They’ll be there, you against somebody else…gives you such an adrenaline and self confidence when it’s over, regardless of the outcome. And I know those guys, when they come back after the tournament, they change their mentality. What they think about jiu jitsu. They are more technical. They know how to train better. It changes everything.”

Avery Gingerich: “And you’re going to compete too, right?”

Diego Ramos: “I will compete too, yes.”

Avery Gingerich: “After all these years, what do you get out of competition?”

Diego Ramos: “Today, I am honestly, I like to go there to be the leader. To show them that it’s possible no matter how old you are. And I like the adrenaline to compete. I wish I had more black belts (at his gym). Today I’m a coach. For me, their (his students) results mean more what’s my own results. But I like to be there feeling myself. When I’m like shake hands, bump, it’s me against me, maybe another guy, and that makes you alive. So, I could be behind max kilos (weight class), I don’t have enough black belts to train with, I don’t have enough time, I got to coach everybody. But I like to be there, on the mats, competing. That makes me alive.”