Today we’d like to introduce you to Vagner Boca Cruz.
Hi Vagner Boca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Brazil 32 years ago, and what began as a hobby quickly became a passion and a lifelong calling. Through Jiu Jitsu, I learned discipline, resilience, respect, and the importance of community. As I progressed in the sport, I began teaching and eventually built my own team, Boca Team in João Pessoa, Paraíba, Brazil, with the goal of using martial arts not only to develop athletes, but to positively impact people’s lives. I’ve promoted over 100 black belts that are teaching Jiu Jitsu around the world.
After establishing a successful gym in Brazil, I lived for a time in Europe and taught Jiu Jitsu in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Poland and Chile and did a lot of seminars there. And at the same time I competed in some important Brazilian Jiu Jitsu tournaments like European IBJJF JIU JITSU Championship (Lisbon-Portugal), Brazilian Jiu Jitsu National (São Paulo-BraIl), IBJJF Worlds No Gi (Dallas-Texas), IBJJ Masters Worlds (Las Vegas-Nwbada). And then my family and I decided to pursue a new chapter in the United States. Starting over in a different country came with many challenges. And in October 2022 we have opened our gym in Oviedo, Florida. We had to rebuild from the ground up, earn people’s trust, and adapt to a new culture and language. But we never lost sight of our mission.
Today, Boca Team BJJ USA has become much more than a martial arts gym. It is a community where children gain confidence, adults improve their health and fitness, families grow together, and people from all walks of life find support and belonging. We strive to create an environment where everyone feels welcome, whether they want to compete at a high level or simply become a better version of themselves.
Looking back, I’m grateful for every challenge and every person who has been part of this journey. Jiu Jitsu has opened doors I never imagined, and being able to share its values with our community is one of the greatest privileges of my life.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many immigrant families pursuing a dream, we’ve faced our share of challenges. Moving from Brazil to the United States meant starting over from scratch. We left behind an established gym, our comfort zone, and the reputation we had built over many years. We had to adapt to a new culture, improve our English, understand a different business environment, and earn the trust of a completely new community.
There were moments of uncertainty, financial pressure, and long days where we did whatever was necessary to support our family while continuing to build the gym. But Jiu Jitsu taught us resilience. Every obstacle became an opportunity to grow stronger, more creative, and more grateful.
Looking back, those challenges shaped who we are today. They reminded us that Boca Team is about much more than martial arts. It’s about perseverance, family, community, and helping others believe that, regardless of where they start, they can overcome difficulties and build something meaningful.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and the owner of Boca Team BJJ USA. I’ve dedicated most of my life to teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and helping people discover their potential through this amazing sport. While we teach technique, self-defense, and competition skills, what we truly specialize in is personal development.
I’m probably best known for creating a welcoming, family-oriented environment where everyone feels like they belong. We work with young children learning confidence and discipline, adults looking to improve their health and fitness, law enforcement officers, and competitive athletes pursuing high-level goals. We believe Jiu Jitsu should be accessible to anyone willing to step onto the mat.
What I’m most proud of isn’t the medals or titles, it’s the people. Seeing shy children become confident leaders, watching students overcome anxiety and self-doubt, and seeing families train together and grow stronger as individuals and as a community is incredibly rewarding.
I take great pride in having helped develop black belts who are now using Jiu Jitsu to provide a better quality of life for themselves and their families. Many of them are now teaching, leading gyms, and positively impacting their communities in different parts of the world.
What sets us apart is that we genuinely care. We know our students by name, celebrate their victories both on and off the mats, and support them through life’s challenges. Boca Team isn’t just an gym, it’s a family. Our mission has always been to use Jiu Jitsu as a tool to build better athletes, better people, and a stronger community.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Success, to me, isn’t measured by trophies or titles. It’s measured by the lives we’ve been able to touch and the legacy we leave through the people we’ve helped along the way.
To me, that’s the true legacy of a teacher, not the medals, but the lives transformed through what we teach.
Pricing:
- $200 (at the first month, you pay just the uniform kit: Gi, Rash Guard, Shorts and Belt)
- Following months: $150
- We don’t require long-term contracts. We simply ask for a 20-day notice if a student decides to leave the academy. We believe people should stay because they love the environment, the training, and the community—not because they feel locked into an agreement.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bocateambjjusa.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bocateambjjusa
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1C22UQLfH3/
