Today we’d like to introduce you to Alan Ribeiro.
Hi Alan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Alan Ribeiro – Owner and Head Instructor at Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Co-Owner of JitzKing Promotions
Alan established Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2020, after being laid off during the Covid-19 pandemic. He decided it was time to leave the corporate world and follow his dream — to share the art of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with as many people as possible.
A lifelong athlete, Alan was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He began competitive swimming at the age of 8, and by 14, he was recruited to train in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Taking a huge leap of faith, he moved to the U.S. alone as a teenager to pursue his athletic career. During those years, his passion for teaching began as he worked as a camp counselor and swim coach across South Florida.
His dedication paid off when he earned a swimming scholarship to Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee, FL. There, Alan completed his undergraduate degrees and enjoyed a four-year collegiate swimming career. After graduation, he was offered a position as Team Manager for the FSU Men’s and Women’s Swimming & Diving teams while pursuing his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). During his coaching tenure, both teams captured Atlantic Coast Conference Championship titles.
Alan’s journey in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu began in the mid-2000s, but it truly took off in 2010, when he met his professor Fabio Novaes in Lakeland, FL. Under Professor Novaes’ guidance, Alan committed fully to the art and began teaching under him in 2016. Over the years, Alan developed a unique coaching philosophy built on discipline, humility, and community — values that have become the foundation of Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Today, Caridian BJJ, located in Tampa, Florida, is recognized for its strong team culture, family-friendly environment, and competitive excellence. The academy offers kid and adult programs, producing athletes who compete — and win — at top-level tournaments across the state. Beyond the medals, Alan has built a community where students of all ages grow on and off the mats, learning confidence, respect, and perseverance.
In addition to running Caridian BJJ, Alan is now one of the owners of JitzKing Promotions, a well-respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and grappling event organization. Through JitzKing, Alan helps create opportunities for athletes of all levels to showcase their skills on a professional stage, promoting the growth and visibility of Jiu Jitsu.
Outside of the academy and events, Alan is a dedicated husband and father, an avid soccer fan, and a grilling enthusiast who brings the same passion to his family life that he brings to the mats.
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Accomplishments
• Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Black Belt under Fabio Novaes
• Multiple-time IBJJF Champion
• IBJJF Pan American Champion
• Fight to Win Champion
• Multiple-time Newbreed Advanced Champion
• Multiple-time NAGA Champion
• Multiple-time American Grappling Federation Advanced Champion
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The Journey – From Setbacks to Success
It hasn’t been a smooth road.
Since starting my Brazilian Jiu Jitsu journey in 2010, I’ve faced more than my share of challenges — including four knee surgeries that tested my patience, discipline, and determination. But those obstacles only deepened my respect for the art of Jiu Jitsu and the strength it builds, both physically and mentally.
When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, I was among the millions who lost their jobs. It was a difficult moment — uncertain and overwhelming — but it forced me to ask myself what I truly wanted to do with my life. I decided to stop postponing my dream and take a leap of faith. That’s when Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was born.
Around that same time, I experienced one of the hardest losses of my life, the passing of my father. I used the money that he left me to open Caridian’s first space. It wasn’t large, but it was enough to get started.
On day one, I had zero members. No students, no name recognition, no guarantees. Just a vision to share the life-changing power of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu with as many people as possible. I started small, in a space barely 1,000 square feet, but with time, dedication, and community support, Caridian BJJ began to grow.
Over the past four years, that humble beginning has turned into something bigger. We’ve already expanded twice, and now we’re close to outgrowing our space again, looking for a facility in the 4,000–5,000 square foot range. What started with a handful of mats and a dream has become a thriving academy with dedicated students, a family that keeps growing every single month.
Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu was built on perseverance, community, and love for the art and for us, it’s just the beginning.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
About My Work – Alan Ribeiro
I’m the owner and head instructor at Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Tampa, Florida, and one of the owners of JitzKing Promotions, a respected Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and grappling organization.
At Caridian BJJ, my mission is simple
— to use Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as a tool to change lives. I teach both adults and kids, and I focus not only on building skilled martial artists but also on helping people grow in confidence, discipline, and resilience. I specialize in creating a structured yet family-oriented environment, where students of all ages and backgrounds can thrive. Whether someone is chasing championships or stepping on the mat for the first time, my goal is to make them feel valued, challenged, and supported.
I’m known for being deeply dedicated to my students. I teach every day, I know everyone by name, and I take pride in seeing the personal growth that happens on and off the mats. I bring the same drive and attention to detail that I learned from years as a competitive swimmer and coach into every class I run.
I’m most proud of what we’ve built from absolutely nothing. I started Caridian BJJ in 2020, during the height of COVID, after being laid off and losing my father in the same year. With the money he left me, I paid the first and last month’s rent on a tiny 1,000-square-foot space and bought a few mats. On day one, I had zero members. Today, four years later, we’ve expanded twice, have a growing team of kids and adults, and are preparing to move into a 4,000–5,000-square-foot academy.
What sets me apart is authenticity and persistence. I’ve had four knee surgeries, and still refused to quit. I understand what it means to rebuild, to start from nothing. My students see that, and I think that’s why our community is so strong.
Caridian BJJ isn’t just a gym, it’s a family. We celebrate each other’s wins, we support each other through the losses, and we push one another to become better in every area of life. And through my work with JitzKing Promotions, I’ve been able to take that same energy and help give other athletes across Florida and beyond the opportunity to shine on a big stage.
At the end of the day, I’m proud of the people we’ve impacted, the community we’ve built, and the culture we’re creating that truly represents what real Jiu Jitsu is all about.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
What Role Has Luck Played in My Life and Business?
I think luck has played a role in my story — both good and bad — but honestly, the “bad” luck is what changed my life the most.
When COVID hit, I lost my job, and around that same time, I lost my father. It was one of the toughest moments I’ve ever faced. But those challenges forced me to look at my life and decide what I really wanted to do. That’s when I took a chance and opened Caridian Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I used the money my dad left me to pay rent on a small 1,000 sq. ft. space and buy a few mats. I started with zero students and just believed that if I worked hard and treated people right, it would grow.
I’ve also had more than my share of setbacks, including four knee surgeries, but I try to see those moments as lessons instead of bad luck. Each one taught me patience and resilience. It’s made me a better coach and person because I can relate to people who are struggling or trying to rebuild.
And I’ve definitely had good luck too. I’ve been blessed with amazing students, a supportive family, and great people around me who believed in the vision. Through JitzKing Promotions, I’ve had the opportunity to help grow Jiu Jitsu and give athletes a platform to shine.
So yes, luck has played a role, but what you do with your luck matters more than the luck itself. I’ve just tried to make the most of every situation, good or bad, and keep moving forward.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Caridianbjj.com
- Instagram: @caridianbjj @ael_caridian_bjj @jitzking_promotions
- Facebook: Alan Emanuel Ribeiro
