I met Maria on Instagram at a Houston Open last year. She was so kind and polite, even helping coach me through my first-ever no-gi match. We were on the same team. 🩷
She is an athlete and coach at BTT Happy Valley, Oregon, USA. With a career marked by significant achievements in the sport, today she shares her journey from her beginnings in Brazil to competing in the world’s biggest events, like ADCC.
Check it out:
BJJ Girls: How did you get into jiu-jitsu, and how long have you been training?
Maria: I discovered jiu-jitsu through a gym that my mom, sister, and I used to go to. The gym offered jiu-jitsu classes, and my first coach offered me a scholarship to train for free. I started when I was 13 or 14, and now, at 24, I’ve been training for about 10 years.
BJJ Girls: What was the process like moving from Brazil to the US? How long have you been here, and what’s your routine like as a coach?
Maria: I first visited the United States in 2019, spending five months in North Carolina with my coach Guto Netto. Later, I moved to Oregon to improve my wrestling under Gustavo Bessa at BTT Happy Valley. Before returning to Brazil in February 2020, Gus offered me the chance to apply for an athlete visa and become a full-time athlete, which I couldn’t turn down. However, due to the pandemic, I was stuck in Brazil for nine months before returning in October 2020. To re-enter the US, I had to quarantine for 15 days in Mexico with my husband, Ighor, which was stressful, but it all worked out in the end.
As a coach, my routine is intense! I teach five to six classes a day, including private lessons. But I love teaching, and I enjoy my busy schedule.
BJJ Girls: What is your training routine like?
Maria: I train jiu-jitsu twice a day from Monday to Saturday, combining regular training with technique study. On Saturdays, I also do wrestling and open mat. I do physical conditioning/cardio twice a week. As for my diet, it’s broad and healthy but without extreme restrictions—I eat everything in moderation.
BJJ Girls: What are the biggest challenges you face as an athlete?
Maria: Right now, I don’t face many external challenges. I think my biggest challenge is myself. I’m always striving to improve as both a person and an athlete.
BJJ Girls: What benefits has jiu-jitsu brought to your life?
Maria: Jiu-jitsu is who I am. It shapes my character daily, gives me a career, hope, and achievable dreams. Beyond that, it has brought amazing benefits for my physical and mental health, opened doors, and connected me with people and places that feel like true blessings from God.
BJJ Girls: What’s your favorite game style, and which submission do you prefer?
Maria: I love closed guard, and my favorite submission is the kimura.
BJJ Girls: How has competing in major no-gi events been, particularly your experience at the ADCC trials?
Maria: I believe my success in no-gi comes from daily study and drilling positions. Intense training is important, but technical and mental refinement makes all the difference. In the last five months, I started psychological coaching, which has changed my life on and off the mats.
The ADCC was my biggest experience as an athlete so far. The support from my team, friends, husband, family, and even my cat played a fundamental role in my determination and faith.
BJJ Girls: Out of all your titles, which one is the most special?
Maria: The most special title was the 2018 No-Gi Brazilian Championship as a blue belt. It was my first major title as an athlete, so it holds a special place in my heart.
BJJ Girls: Who are your biggest inspirations in the sport?
Maria: My biggest inspirations are the people around me: my coaches, my husband, my training partners, and even my students. They motivate me to be a better athlete and person. I always say that when I grow up, I want to have my husband’s wrestling, Gus’s strategic mind, Ighor’s pressure, and Gustavo Bolo’s flexibility, among many other qualities I admire in all of them.
She also placed third in the No-Gi World Championship in Las Vegas just a few days ago:
Thank you for sharing your story with us, Maria! 🩷
Need a new gi or jiu-jitsu accessories? Visit the KNOXX GEAR website and get 20% OFF using the coupon code SAMFONSECA.
