OUR TEAM
Gustavo Dantas
Co-Founder
BJJ Mental Coach Founder
GD Academy founder
6th degree black belt
Gustavo Dantas is a serial entrepreneur focused on Martial Arts and a 6th-degree Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu based in Tempe, Arizona. Gustavo’s vision is to Inspire, Impact, and improve the lives of others.
Gustavo is a Public Speaker and published author as well as Certified High Performance, Mental & Life Coach with a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. He left Brazil in 1999 at the age of 24 with twenty-seven hundred dollars, two bags, and one teenage dream: To open up an academy and make his living through his passion, Jiu-Jitsu.
The Gustavo Dantas Jiu-Jitsu Academy was established in Tempe, Arizona on March 6th, 2012, reinforcing the statement, “Believe in yourself, believe in your dreams. Hard work pays off”. In 2022 the academy has 300 hundred students from 4 to 60 years old learning from World Class coaches.
Gustavo was the Jiu-Jitsu coach of the Mixed Martial Arts Gym, Arizona Combat Sports for eleven years. During that time, Gustavo started the mission of promoting Jiu-Jitsu in the State of Arizona. He is the owner of the Arizona Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu League.
Gustavo turned a small, 40-competitor, “in-house” tournament in 2001 to an impressive 6000 competitors per year in 2022, helping Arizona to be recognized as one of the Jiu-Jitsu powerhouses in the United States, putting Gustavo on the map as one of the most consistent promoters in the World for Brazilian Jiu-jitsu.
Last, but not least, Gustavo is the co-founder of the 501 c3 nonprofit organization Jiu-Jitsu Tribe. JJT's Mission is to inspire, impact, and improve the lives of at-risk children and young adults in impoverished communities worldwide. Co-founded in 2010, JJT introduces jiu-jitsu as a personal development tool for kids & young adults in partnership with Mental Health related organizations and local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academies. JJT also supports social projects that offer free jiu-jitsu classes to their communities. DONATE NOW AT WWW.JIUJITSUTRIBE.ORG
Heath Flicker
Co-Founder
Corp exec turned philanthropist
BJJ black belt
Jiu Jitsu junkie
Born and raised with a passion for physical and mental discipline, Heath began Brazilian Jiu Jitsu training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and fell in love with the art. After years of dedication and training, Heath eventually earned his black belt, which instilled in him a strong sense of focus, perseverance, and a drive for excellence that has proven invaluable in his entrepreneurial pursuits.
As a business entrepreneur, he found success in the technology industry, specializing in software consulting. Heath was driven by a desire to help companies leverage cutting-edge technology to achieve their goals and improve their operations. Through hard work and a commitment to delivering the best results, Heath built a thriving consulting business with a reputation for excellence. In addition to the software business Heath joined the Arizona Brazilian Jiu Jitsu League as tournament director.
As his business grew, he realized that he had been blessed with the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. Heath knew that he wanted to use his success to give back to my community and help those in need. Drawing on the lessons he had learned through Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, he decided to become a philanthropist, working to support organizations that are making a positive impact on the world.
Today, Heath continues to be involved in both the business world and the philanthropic community, working to make a difference in the lives of others through his expertise, his resources, and his passion for making the world a better place.
Anthony Gonzales
Co-Founder
Tech startup founder
Biotech exec
BJJ black belt