Alex was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil where he started practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1991 under the legendary Ricardo De la Riva who he is ranked under as a brown-belt. Alex is the head instructor of our Children's Jiu-Jitsu class.

Between college in Economics at the Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (known as one of Brazil's Ivy League schools and where he holds a degree in Economics) and extensive traveling while working as a CPA and Senior Tax Consultant to companies like Gillette, Arthur Andersen, Delloite and Touche, he always kept Jiu-Jitsu practice as a good habit and something to stay in shape, physically and mentally.

As he moved to Memphis in 2004 to stay close to his family he joined the Memphis Judo and Jiu-Jitsu team and adopted the school as a second family. Finally letting go of the tax and financial background, he started developing teaching Jiu-jitsu as a an art and professional career.

Alex is the champion of the NAGA Georgia Advanced Divisions and has placed in several other tournaments such as Submission Sport Grappling Championships and Sub-Zero Grappling.

Alex is currently in college pursuing a Nursing career and also works as a Massage Therapist at Acupuncture and Healing Arts Medical Group.