By TXMMA Staff
Team Tank head instructor continues to train and teach in pursuit of American Dream
As the latest instructor featured here on TXMMA, Misael Miranda has experienced a good deal of success. Since arriving in Texas little over a year ago, the aggressive heavyweight has entered numerous competitions, performing well in Fight to Win, Grand Prix Grappling, and multiple other circuits up to and including IBJJF tournaments.
Aside from his competitive exploits, the Luiz Paulo JJ trained Miranda has also set up shop teaching his brand of Jiu-Jitsu at the Team Tank BJJ Academy located at 1224 E Mulberry Street in Angleton, Texas.
Here’s a brief interview we conducted recently with Prof. Miranda:
TXMMA Interview – Misael Miranda (Team Tank BJJ)
I started to train when a friend invited me to train Jiu-Jitsu. I was 16 years old and didn’t know even know what Jiu-Jitsu was at the time. And so I started training as a hobby and later after working on it my hobby became my addiction and lifestyle! Now I would not know what to do if I couldn’t teach and train the art that I love so much. It has become my life.
When did you start competition? Was success immediate?
I had been training a long time then began competing as a blue belt. I always won in my category and in the absolute! It was the same in the blue, purple and brown belt.
What led you to move to the US?
My Master, Luiz Paulo is a black belt 6th Dan. He invited me to come to the United States to give a seminar about Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. After that I was invited to come to train and compete here. Everybody knows that America is the land of opportunities and achievements. I wanted to make a better life for me and my family so that is what I am working for now.
Currently I’m training for and competing for Tank BJJ Team in Angleton, a small city in Texas. People received me very well in this town and I am very grateful to everyone that gave me support in the classes here and in my life!
What are some of your future goals?
My goal is to be able to open my own gym and teach my BJJ for children, men and women!
In short this team, I was here in Texas I could notice my style of training is a little bit different from the current styles that is taught here! We always work focused on building a team in BJJ Luiz Paulo! This is more than train and compete, this means to build a family! It is a place where we can meet your friends and relax from work or problems of everyday problems in life! It is a place of peace and relaxation! Much more than Jiu-Jitsu. That is the environment I want to create as my main goal.
What advice do you have to others looking to go the path of BJJ and martial arts?
My advice for those who choose to train BJJ is: always make it worth every second you’re your workout! Train, train to stay really focused on being the best! There are moments for relaxing and play, but when it is time to train there is not space to think of anything else! You always have to think of being the best!