EP12 - Ricardo Liborio - Community, Mentorship & the Evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

In this powerful episode of the Ross Cameron Podcast, we sit down with one of the true pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA—Master Ricardo Liborio, co-founder of American Top Team. Liborio opens up about his decades-long journey through martial arts, the cultural evolution of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and the deeper meaning of training, community, and mentorship.

Together with Ross Cameron, they explore what it really takes to build champions—not just on the mats, but in life. From the emotional challenges of competition to the science of modern training, this conversation is packed with life lessons, coaching insights, and real talk about how martial arts can shape the next generation.

💬 Topics Covered:

• The cultural shift in martial arts and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Mentorship and youth development through martial arts
• Emotional support for competitors
• Old-school vs. new-school training philosophies
• The importance of fundamentals and discipline
• Teaching kids and the joy of watching them grow
• Life after fighting and giving back to the community
• Martial arts as a business and a calling

✅ Whether you're a coach, athlete, parent, or lifelong martial artist, this episode is a must-watch.

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📌 CHAPTERS:
00:00 The Journey of Martial Arts
03:36 Cultural Evolution in Martial Arts
06:17 The Role of Community in Martial Arts
09:16 Adapting to Age in Martial Arts
12:13 Training Philosophy: Old School vs. New School
15:03 The Science of Training
17:57 The Importance of Fundamentals
20:53 Emotional Preparation in Competition
23:35 Lessons from Losses
26:22 The Privilege of Teaching Martial Arts
32:30 Ownership Mindset in Business
35:25 The Importance of Community
38:30 Learning Through Experience
41:47 Youth in Combat Sports
44:41 Life After Fighting
47:38 The Role of Education
50:25 Impact of Teaching Kids
53:54 The Value of Relationships
57:21 Reflections on Life and Success

🎯 Hashtags & Keywords:
#RicardoLiborio #BrazilianJiuJitsu #MartialArtsPodcast #RossCameron #AmericanTopTeam #BJJCommunity #Mentorship #LifeLessons #YouthDevelopment #MartialArtsLife #EmotionalSupport #Discipline #CoachingPhilosophy #BJJTraining #MartialArtsBusiness

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