Ep. 22 | John Machado: From Brazil to America — The Journey That Changed Everything

As the youngest of the Machado brothers, John brings a unique perspective shaped by decades of experience—growing up in Brazil, helping build Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United States, and evolving far beyond the mats into mentorship, business, writing, and film.

This episode isn’t just about Jiu-Jitsu—it’s about adaptation, decision-making, and building a life through constant reinvention.

🇧🇷 FROM BRAZIL TO AMERICA
John shares what it was like growing up surrounded by the Gracie family, where Jiu-Jitsu wasn’t just trained—it was lived.
As the youngest, he learned by observing his older brothers, developing a deeper awareness of what works, what doesn’t, and how to evolve faster by learning from others.
That mindset carried into one of the biggest decisions of his life—leaving Brazil in 1990 to move to the United States.
With a young family, no clear roadmap, and a completely new culture, John explains what it really took to start from zero—and why that leap changed everything.

🇺🇸 BUILDING JIU-JITSU IN AMERICA
The early days in the U.S. were nothing like today.
No academies. No tournaments. No recognition.
Just small groups training in garages and proving the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu one person at a time.
John walks through:
The early struggle to establish Jiu-Jitsu
Training across disciplines like wrestling, Judo, and Sambo
The type of people who showed up—not to learn, but to test
How everything changed after the early UFC events

He also shares the story of meeting Chuck Norris—a moment that opened doors into Hollywood and helped accelerate the growth of Jiu-Jitsu in America.

🧠 LESSONS THAT GO BEYOND THE MAT
One of the most powerful themes in this episode is how Jiu-Jitsu translates into real life.
John explains how the same principles used on the mat apply directly to:

Business
Relationships
Personal growth
Decision-making under pressure

From simplifying complex problems to identifying the real “opponent” in any situation, these lessons form the foundation of how he approaches life today.

🔄 REINVENTION & NEW PATHS
As his journey evolved, John didn’t stay in one lane.
He expanded into:
Writing (From Rolls to Roles)
Acting and working in film
Mentorship and consulting
Exploring AI and structured thinking systems
He shares how stepping into new environments—whether it’s a film set or a business setting—requires the same mindset as stepping onto the mat: stay adaptable, stay aware, and keep learning.

🎬 FROM JIU-JITSU TO HOLLYWOOD
John also dives into his experiences working in the film industry, including projects with high-level directors like David Mamet.
He talks about:

Transitioning into acting
Learning from world-class performers
The parallels between acting and martial arts

Today, the barriers to entry are lower than ever—and creators have more control than ever before.

🧭 MENTORSHIP & THE NEXT PHASE
After decades of experience, John now focuses heavily on mentorship.
From helping students refine their Jiu-Jitsu to guiding individuals through challenges in life and business, his role has shifted from competitor to strategist and mentor.
This part of the conversation highlights:
How to maximize your potential
Why clarity and direction matter more than effort alone
The importance of surrounding yourself with the right people
Building something meaningful that extends beyond yourself

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Introduction & John Machado joins the show
02:15 – Growing up in Brazil
08:40 – Discovering Jiu-Jitsu
20:05 – Moving to America
31:10 – Meeting Chuck Norris
38:45 – Building Jiu-Jitsu in the U.S.
45:20 – Wrestling, Judo & Sambo
52:10 – UFC & growth of the sport
58:40 – Moving to Texas
01:05:30 – Life lessons & perspective
01:12:10 – Writing & business concepts
01:20:00 – Acting & film industry
01:38:20 – Mentorship & Life After Death

🔗 CONNECT WITH JOHN MACHADO
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmachadotv
Website: https://johnmachadobjj.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnmachado1
Books (From Rolls to Roles Series):
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=John+Machado+From+Rolls+to+Roles
Acting & Film Work:
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0532403/

☕ COFFEE TIME WITH CARLOS MACHADO

🔗 Watch more episodes & updates: https://coffeetimewithcarlos.com/
📺 Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CoffeeTimeWithCarlosMachado
📸 Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coffeetimewithcarlos/
📸 More from Carlos: https://www.instagram.com/carlosmachadojiujitsu/
📘 Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeetimewithcarlos
📘 Carlos Machado Jiu-Jitsu: https://www.facebook.com/CarlosMachadoBJJ
🎙️ Listen to the podcast: https://podcast.coffeetimewithcarlos.com/

🔥 KEY TOPICS
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Machado Brothers
Gracie Family
Immigration Story
Entrepreneurship
Personal Development
AI & Modern Thinking
Film & Acting