The Chewjitsu Podcast The Mindset For Success With World Champion Roosevelt Sousa (Episode 390)
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Nov 17, 2025 Join Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt and multiple-time world champion Roosevelt Sousa as he shares his inspiring journey from starting at 21 to dominating the competition. Hear how insights from volleyball shaped his work ethic and mindset. Roosevelt discusses the importance of training smarter, focusing on personal growth over medals, and the transformative power of coaching. He also reflects on the significance of community and how immigrating to the U.S. enriched his life and teaching approach.
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Humble Beginning On The Mats
- Roosevelt started jiu-jitsu at 21 after a volleyball teammate convinced him to try takedowns.
- One hour on the mats humbled him and sparked a drive to learn and improve.
Olympians Taught The Work Ethic
- Volleyball exposed Roosevelt to Olympian work ethic and off-hours training habits he copied in jiu-jitsu.
- That mindset pushed him to train multiple times per day and catch up to lifelong practitioners.
Train Specifics, Not Just To Win Rounds
- Train with a specific goal each session instead of trying to win every roll.
- Put yourself into weak positions deliberately to practice defenses and build confidence.
