Discipline isn’t a choice for Felipe Balladi. It’s the lifestyle.

What started as a six-month trip to learn English in 2007 became a life built on Jiu Jitsu, purpose, and pushing limits. Felipe Balladi, founder and head coach of The Lab Jiu Jitsu in Kingscliff, has spent nearly two decades shaping his world around the mat, and helping others do the same.

We caught up with him to talk about failure, freedom, and the mindset that turned one bold decision into a life of purpose.

What first pulled you into Jiu Jitsu, and what’s kept you in the sport all these years?

I started Jiu Jitsu looking for a way to defend myself. It wasn’t the most popular martial art at the time, but it was the most effective. That’s what pulled me in. What’s kept me in it? The evolution. Jiu Jitsu is never static. Every session teaches you something new. There’s no ego on the mats they expose everything. That honesty keeps me sharp.

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Don’t rush. Every roll, every mistake, it’s all part of the journey.
Be patient. Keep showing up. Let the results take care of themselves.
Focus on growth, not comparison. The mats will teach you more than any coach.

And most of all, consistency beats speed. Trust the process.

What’s the coolest sh*t you’ve done that people wouldn’t expect?

Packing up my life in Brazil in 2007 and flying to Australia to learn English for what was supposed to be six months. That one decision flipped my entire life. I ended up staying, becoming a citizen, and eventually building The Lab, my own Jiu Jitsu academy. That move gave me everything, freedom, purpose, and a platform to pass on what I’ve learned.

How do you teach your athletes to handle failure or defeat without losing momentum?

Failure is just feedback.

In Jiu Jitsu, a loss isn’t the end it’s data. You use it to adjust, improve, and keep moving.

We treat defeat like drilling. The more reps you take, the sharper you get.
Setbacks don’t stop our progress, they create it. That’s the mindset I drill into everyone on the mat.

What does a fulfilling life look like for you, outside of training?

Spending real time with my son and making memories with him. That’s the win.
Off the mats, I live for snowboarding, surfing, and fishing.

To me, fulfilment is about freedom, doing what I love, being present with my family, and helping others grow in confidence and character through Jiu Jitsu.

That’s the lifestyle I’ve built, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

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