Without a doubt, one of my favorite BJJ athletes is Caio Terra. I had the chance to attend one of his seminars last year and it was a total game-changer for me. Not just in what we learned, but how well he taught the techniques and how important it was that we actually learned them. If you aren't aware of his accomplishments, just check out what Caio did in 2012 alone!
- 2012 IBJJ Pro League – Champion
- American National No Gi and Absolute –Champion (2nd year in a row)
- American National Gi- Champion
- Metamoris Super Figher vs Jeff Glover – Winner
- Vegas Open – Champion (weight and closed out absolute)
- Pan American Championship (IBJJF) – Champion (2nd year in a row)
- World Jiu Jitsu Championship, Mundials (IBJJF) – Silver
I feel very fortunate to have the chance to interview him. There's some great insights and even some funny answers below. Make sure you check out the last question about why Caio no longer likes skittles!
An Interview with Caio Terra by GiReviews.Net
GiReviews: What is the best advice you can give somebody who is starting Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?
Caio Terra: Have fun, if your goal is to have fun every day you will never have a bad day.
GR: What role does ego play in jiu jitsu?
CT: Every one always says check your ego at the door etc. but this is a false, every one has an ego. Typically the more tournaments some one wins the more some one gets promoted the bigger their ego gets, the challenge comes from knowing your ego and not preventing it from progress. Being able to understand that learning is the goal not “winning” helps a lot.
GR:What separates those who excel from those who do not?
CT:Hard work both on an off the mat (studying)
GR: Have you ever been nervous before a BJJ competition?
CT: Yes before every competition.
GR: What do you say to potential students?
CT: Welcome to the best martial art in the world lol.
GR: If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself as a white belt?
CT: I would say train harder you can do this! As a white belt I didn't take bjj serious.
GR: How do you know when to promote a student?
CT: We have association guidelines that are pretty subjective. In addition to those guidelines we look at other things. If some one for example ask for a belt or shows poor character, they will never get promoted. 
GR: Who is the best person you have ever rolled with?
CT: It's hard to say because some people have the best guard, some best top game, some best half guard etc. I love training with Samir, Queixinho, Flavio, Leandro and the team, they push me to be better every day.
GR: Who is the best person you have ever competed against?
CT: Too many to name one.
GR: How many times a week should you train?
CT: As much as possible.
GR: What kinds of activities do you do outside of jiu-jitsu?
CT: I like to watch movies
GR: What do you feel are some of the mistakes instructors make when teaching BJJ?
CT: Thinking they have the best jiu jitsu and not letting there students cross train.
GR: What advice would you give competitors looking to attain sponsorships?
CT: Win
GR: You recently signed with an awesome BJJ company, Gameness. What do you like the most about Gameness?
CT: I love Gameness, their products are great and the company does a lot to promote our sport. The owners are also great people and that's important to me.
GR: What other awesome things are on the horizon for you?
CT: My association! I am really focused on that at the moment. I believe in 2013 we continue to grow and our foundation keeps getting stronger and stronger.
GR: What inspired you to start your own academy?
CT: Common sense?
GR: What awesome things are on the horizon for your academy?
CT: New classes, new class time and the camps. This year we are hosting both a Pan's Camp and a Mundial camp with many world champions.
GR: Thanks again for doing the interview. Anything else you'd like to add?
CT: I'd like to thank every one who trains and supports jiu jitsu. Keep training and growing the art we love, it truly can change lives and make people better.
Quick answers:
Favorite sweep – Any that works
Favorite position – Back
Favorite submission – The one that gets the tap
Favorite takedown – seriously
Favorite color –blue
Favorite Candy –chocolate not skittles, the skittles joke was funny but I've had way too many skittles. PLEASE GIVE ME ANOTHER KIND OF CANDY WHEN YOU SEE ME.
