Indianapolis, like several neighboring Midwestern cities, also has a strong martial arts community, including Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Within that martial arts community in Indiana’s capital city many professional fighters have developed, as well as many gyms and training facilities, especially in light of the recent popularity of the sport of Mixed Martial Arts. The first of those Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academies was opened by Brazilian native Marcello Monteiro, and since its inception in 2003 Monteiro’s gym has grown into a strong community of athletes in and of itself.

The atmosphere of Marcello’s Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu academy on the city’s southeast side is conducive to teamwork and community. The long-term students at the school have obviously gotten to know each other very well, through training together, going to competitions, and even traveling to Brazil to Marcello’s home school in Rio. The mood in the Indianapolis Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training facility is light but serious at the same time, if that makes any sense. The training done, the instruction given, and the efforts for improvement everyday are all very serious. At the same time, there are friendships and some joking and laughing before class that seem to lighten the mood. Upon first observing or participating in a class, you find that all participants are dedicated to the improvement of both themselves and their own individual skills as well as those of others. Higher ranked belts are constantly giving pointers and helping less experienced practitioners when mistakes are made or techniques could be improved upon. Everyone is very respectful to all, and the more classes a beginner attends and the more interest he or she shows in the sport the more included the beginners will quickly become with the “core” group of people. Once you have proven that you are not just in the trail phase and have made a commitment to the gym and the sport, the relationships and friendships within the gym will take off quickly. Certainly there are people from all walks of life there.

Students are of all different ages, backgrounds, and sex. Some people you will relate to more than others, which is only human nature. However, Marcello has done an extraordinary job of building a Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu community in his gym and among his team, one that is both safe and strenuous.

In addition, Marcello Monteiro is also in charge of an online community at bjjcoach.com, where enthusiasts of Indianapolis Jiu Jitsu can go to communicate with other members of the community, share information, post upcoming events, and advance their technique and skill level through the platform of this online community. By partnering up with Marcello and putting in the hard work and effort, you are developing community as well as lifelong skills, habits, and health through the sport of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.