Businessman and professor in the US, Roney Edler works to change lives through sports

Starting small, with few resources, is not an easy task for those who want to make a difference. The strength of work drives a lot, but it is not always enough when faced with obstacles such as lack of incentive. Roney Edler, Sertão BJJ leader, experienced all of this. He took his first steps in the Northeast of Brazil, overcame the difficulties and today he is growing, supporting people with the team he created.

With headquarters in the United States and a gym in Brazil, Sertão BJJ now has a place in Europe, in Portugal, a country that will once again host the IBJJF European, starting next year.

“One of the biggest advances our team made was arriving in Europe, establishing our name in three countries. With the team’s own resources, we are taking two athletes to compete in the European in Lisbon, where we now have a gym.”. 

Roney will also compete in the European. Along with him, three other students are guaranteed to compete in the event. One of them, who has had his American visa denied more than once, will take the opportunity to enter Portugal and show his work on the mat.

“We are born with this genetics, that giving up is not an option. So, we arrived and we are moving slowly, but with firm and consistent steps. The work is being done and this is a consequence of the constancy of the professors and students.”.

Moving abroad, settling in the country and still being able to strengthen ties with the people who stayed behind are actions that require a little more robust willpower. Waiting for the right moment to act is not an option. According to Roney, it is possible to create the opportunity and not wait for it to appear.

“To make a living from sport, the first thing is to believe in yourself and not wait for things to happen, make them happen. Giving up is not an option. If you don’t believe in yourself, others won’t believe in you.”.