Entertainment

A Deeper Conversation on Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Mastery, and the Discipline of Learning

March 19, 2026

By Elena Mart

An Interview with Julio Foca Fernandez

Welcome, readers. Today, we are speaking with Julio Foca Fernandez, a respected competitor, instructor, and one of the key figures in the development of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. With decades of experience on the mat and in teaching, Julio brings deep insight into advanced training. We are here to discuss his book, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for Experts Only, which is the only book ever written by legendary Carlson Gracie. Julio feels honored that Carlson partnered with him to create this book specifically for serious practitioners seeking refinement nd clarity.

Interviewer: The title Brazilian Jiu Jitsu For Experts Only is very direct. Why did you feel it was important to be so clear about who this book is for?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Because clarity matters. Beginners need encouragement and basic structure, but advanced practitioners need honesty. When someone has trained for many years, they already understand how demanding Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is. They are not looking for promises or simplified explanations. This book is meant to speak directly to those practitioners and help them improve how they apply what they already know, and to be clear.

You see, many advanced students feel frustrated because most instructional material is designed to appeal to beginners. A book that talks too much and shows too little, for instance. I wanted to respect experienced practitioners, so we created this book assuming the reader already understands the fundamentals and is ready to focus on the details that are truly important.

Interviewer: Julio, your teaching background is very clear throughout the book. How did your experience as an instructor influence the way techniques are presented?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Teaching teaches humility and helps you realize quickly that if students are not improving, it is often because the explanation was unclear. Over time, as I taught individuals, I learned to break techniques into simple steps without losing depth. That approach shaped the book. We were very careful about how techniques were shown. For example, each photo exists for a reason, and each step highlights something important, whether it is posture, grip, or weight shift. The goal was to remove confusion so the reader can focus on practice rather than interpretation.

Interviewer: The visual layout is one of the book’s strongest features. Why did you choose to rely so heavily on photos instead of long explanations?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is physical. It lives in movement. You can describe a technique perfectly with words and still leave the reader confused. However, when you have a visual cue or a photo for reference, you can better learn the techniques. When a practitioner studies a sequence of images, they can pause, compare, and return to the movement later. This supports repetition and reflection, which are essential for learning at an advanced level. The book follows the same principle, as it shows clearly what Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and its techniques are.

Interviewer: Many experienced practitioners talk about hitting plateaus. How does this book help someone move beyond that stage?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Plateaus happen when people stop paying attention to fundamentals. They repeat movements without improvement. But at advanced levels, progress comes from refining the basics, not adding complexity. This book brings attention back to posture, balance, and control, and allows the practitioner to improve small details and fix where they might be lacking. That is how plateaus break. The book shows how positions flow into each other. That understanding creates movement instead of stagnation.

Interviewer: The book covers techniques applicable to sport Jiu-Jitsu, submission grappling, and mixed martial arts. Why was it important not to separate these too much?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Jiu-Jitsu is one art. Rules change, but principles stay the same. Balance, timing, pressure. I never liked dividing the art into too many categories. If a technique works, it works. Similarly, many practitioners today train across different formats. Under the supervision of the legendary Carlson Gracie, I wanted the book to remain useful regardless of context and to focus on principles that apply everywhere.

Interviewer: Discipline and mindset seem to run quietly throughout the book. Was that intentional?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Absolutely! Discipline is training, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is the living example of it, as without discipline, the techniques we are teaching have no value. You must repeat, study, and respect the process. There is no other way. The book reflects that philosophy. It does not rush the reader but encourages patience and allows them to learn at their own pace. That is how real learning happens.

Interviewer: Who do you believe will benefit most from this book?

Julio Foca Fernandez: As the title of the book states, it is for advanced students, competitors, and instructors. Plus, anyone who already trains regularly and wants to refine their understanding rather than collect techniques. Plus, this book is for people who are committed. If someone wants easy answers, this is not for them. If they want to study seriously, it will help.

Interviewer: How would you recommend readers use this book alongside their training?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Slowly. Study one technique. Drill it. Test it. Return to the book. Learning happens over time. Plus, do not rush, and repetition matters.

Interviewer: What do you hope readers take away after spending time with the book?

Julio Foca Fernandez: Clarity, focus, and more understanding of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And respect for the process and sportsmanship.

Thank you for your time, Julio. It was such a pleasure to meet you two. With that, we have come to the end of our interview. If you enjoy our chat and want to purchase this amazing book, you can visit the Amazon page: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DZN5CWFT/