Author’s Note – Outside of the typical pre-fight interview format here at TXMMA.com, we would also like to use these interviews as a means to spotlight personalities within our statewide combat sports scene. In doing so, we hope to bring a greater understanding to our community as a whole and shine some light on deserving individuals.

In light of thing newfound initiative, we begin by profiling Alvis Solis, head instructor and owner of Solis Martial Arts.

Known primarily as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Carlos Machado, Alvis has been teaching in the North Houston area for almost fourteen years now. At the age of 47, his accomplishments include creating a handful of black belts and affiliate schools. Aside from his association, Solis also continues to test himself by regularly compete in both local and national tournaments, documenting the experience with his 50 by 50 blog.

Lesser known about Alvis Solis is his history prior to becoming the BJJ black belt he is today. Believe it or not, he was actually a mid-distance sprinter almost reaching the Olympic trials in his younger days. Not too long after that, he discovered his passion for martial arts through the Filipino art of arnis stickfighting – a journey that would eventually lead him on the path towards becoming a recognized Dog Brother.

(If you aren’t familiar, I highly suggest you watch this video. These guys are not sane!)

It was through this Dog Brother experience that Alvis got introduced to what would eventually become a large part of his personal legacy, the world of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. And it was through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that Solis would come to meet Paul Erickson, who would go on to start this very website.

Enjoy getting to know Alvis Solis through this, the first in our series of interviews with some of Texas’ long-time martial artists.

If I had never met Alvis Solis more than a decade ago and had the positive experience of training under someone with his attitude, character qualities and patience, I would never have had the enthusiasm about BJJ and MMA to have started and stuck with TXMMA.com. True story. – Paul Erickson

Our In-Depth Interview with Alvis Solis

Alvis, before we get into the BJJ stuff, I’d like to know some of your background before martial arts. I know you’ve got a long history beyond BJJ and Filipino Martial Arts, etc. Who were you before martial arts entered your life?

I’ve been an athlete all my life, from ages 5 – 22, I competed in track and field. In 1980, at age 16, I even garnered an invitation to the Olympic trials for the 400 meter dash. (President Carter then decided to boycott the Olympics) I still hold several records at my high school for track & field. I earned a full scholarship to Texas A&I University and competed for them for 2.5 seasons before pulling my hamstring so severely the doctors said I wouldn’t walk without assistance. After some hard rehab work, I regained full use of my leg and I graduated with a degree in Psychology. Right after college, I met my wife and before moving to the Humble/Kingwood/Atascocita area in 1993, I was the program administrator Charter Hospital of Corpus Christi Children’s Psychiatric unit.

I know you’re a big comic book collector and fan. If you could be any hero in the Marvel/DC Universe, who do you see yourself as and why?

Batman. He’s got no super powers yet he is able to change the world. He’s shown us you can be yourself, work hard, and with some help of gadgets and others, really have an impact. From his beginnings, Batman shows us you have choices; you can do good or evil, right or wrong, etc. One of the things I love about Batman is no matter what gets thrown your way, you can overcome it. In the current story lines, Bruce Wayne has formed Batman, Inc which puts Batmans all around the world. As my affiliate schools are growing, I kinda see myself in a similar situation.

How long have you been training in martial arts? Can you give us some of your history in the beginning?

I’ve been training since 1989 starting out in Filipino Martial Arts. I was mugged (in Corpus Christi), walked into a Tae Kwon Do school and was about to sign up for classes when I heard whack, whack, whack against a heavy bag. I put the pen down and saw this Filipino man striking the heavy bag with two sticks. I asked the instructor, “what is that guy doing?” and he answered “Arnis, that’s my dad, pay no attention to him.” I walked over to the man, introduced myself, and he told me his name was Reno Lumumpao. I told him I wanted to be his student, and we started from there. In 1993 I when moved to Kingwood, Maestro Reno’s instructor Alfonso Seneres was visiting Houston from the Philippines at the time. Grandmaster Seneres did not want to teach me because he was on vacation to visit his daughter. I begged my way to lessons and became GM Seneres’ private student 4 days a week, 4 hours a day for a year.

I was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at a DB Gathering when I was taken to the ground and fought like a turtle on my back. Rigan Machado watched one of my fights and afterwards told me he could make my stick fighting better by teaching me how to fight on the ground. He invited to the Machado Academy and from there my BJJ journey began. In order to keep my BJJ skills up, I joined Mousel’s Self-Defense Academy and began training with Eric Williams in the combat grappling program.

I’ve seen some of the Dog Brothers featured on TV. That training is pretty hardcore? How was that experience for you going all the way up to being named a brother yourself?

At the time it didn’t seem extreme or hardcore because it was an extension of what I was already learning. GM Seneres trained me traditionally so I was already getting hit quite a bit already! Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny & Eric “Top Dog” Knaus took me under their wing and in 1995 I was awarded “Hound Dog”. The experience showed me how to test what you learn, keep what works for you, and throw out what doesn’t. I am forever grateful for the Dog Brothers experience because through them I met the Machado Brothers.

What has Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu done for your life?

The quick answer is that it’s kept me young. I get to play on the mat every day like a little kid, it has brought my fitness to a new level and I get to share what I’ve learned with others. I have a strong urge/need to compete and it gives me a venue to be competitive with my peers. Jiu-jitsu has also given me the opportunity to create a stronger bond with my daughters; training with them, teaching them, and sharing time and experiences with them. It’s one of the reasons I encourage families to train together and why I’ve created a family-friendly atmosphere at my school. Through jiu-jitsu I not only have a livelihood doing something I love, but it’s given me the opportunity to meet the most awesome people this sport has to offer.

I see you have your 50/50 Blog. That’s a big reason I wanted to write about you. I believe what you’re doing is an inspiration for many people, young and old alike. Why did you decide to do it?

I was approaching 46 and I needed something to motivate myself to continue training as hard as I was. One of the things which has always motivated me is competing but only competing once or twice a year didn’t seem to be doing the trick. I was kinda envious of some of the BJJ stars who seem to compete at every tournament. So I decided why can’t I? I mentioned this idea first to a friend who told me “Alvis, not a good idea, you’re too old, you’re going to get hurt”. I mentioned the idea to my wife who said, “Alvis, what a great idea, you should do a blog about experience”. I then told my students who were as pumped up and excited about it as I was. I just turned 47 on February 4^th and finished competing in my 9^th tournament so far. The feedback that I’ve received from the BJJ community has been positive and uplifting which serves as a motivational tool for me as well.

You’re a first-degree black belt now under Carlos Machado. You’ve had many achievements in BJJ and continue to compete. Besides making money and running a successful business, what’s left that you want to accomplish in the sport?

Well Mike, I’m actually a second-degree black belt now; Carlos promoted me this January. Obviously, make my 50 by 50 but my main goal is to live forever. I obviously can’t due this physically but what a great feeling to know that a student of a student of a student will say my instructor’s, instructor’s, instructor, Alvis Solis, taught me this move or told me this or that, something positive which helps someone else. I’ve always believed nice guys can finish first and so my students are taught to be respectful at all times, show great sportsmanship win or lose, and to be champions on and off the mat. The medals and trophies we win along the way rust and tarnish but the lessons we learn on the mat shine brightly every day.

If you could give one message to that one kid out there that is on the fence about training, what would you tell him/her about how martial arts can change their life?

I would tell them that martial arts can show them how to solve any problem, overcome any obstacle that comes their way. The lessons are transferrable on and off the mats. Martial arts give you a chance to prove to yourself who you really are and can help you become who you dream of being.

You’ve got some seminars and big things coming up. You want to tell our readers a little about what you and Solis Martial Arts have going on?

March is a really big month for us – first of all my team and I will be competing at the Austin Open (March 5), the Mendes Brothers will be teaching a three hour seminar at our school (March 19), finally me and my team will be competing at the Pan Ams (March 24-27). We’re really excited to bring the Mendes Brothers to SMAA because they are on the top of their game. I opened the seminar to everyone in order to introduce the Brothers to the Houston area and share the experience with the Texas BJJ community. We’re also about to have another Black Belt explosion this year at SMAA with a number of homegrown brown belts looking to soon be Black. Additionally, we’re possibly going to have a few new SMAA affiliate schools in the Houston and surrounding areas.

Final words sir. Anybody you want to thank or any other message for the people out there?

I’d like to thank my wife Cynthia and my daughters Meagan & Ember for putting up with all my stuff (there’s a lot) and always supporting an encouraging it. I’d like to thank Carlos Machado for not only being a great instructor and friend but a mentor as well. I want to thank Grand Master Seneres and Maestro Lumumpao, may they both rest in peace, and Brett Boyce, Seth Daniels and Elbert Hebron for putting on top quality BJJ tournaments in the Houston area. Thanks to Lloyd Irvin, Jr. for being a great BJJ business inspiration and teacher. Thanks to Saul Soliz for always being an honest ear. I’d also like to thank Paul Erickson for always being a friend, not only to me, but to the whole Texas BJJ & MMA community. And thank you Mike for always supporting me and rooting me on. Last but not least, thank you to all of my students and training partners and all my affiliate schools and instructors – I love you guys!

To everyone out there: If you want more info on me or my affiliate schools, feel free visit my website, solismartialarts.com or jiujitsutexas.com. And always remember, you’re never too old to finish what you start.