Rodrigo Magalhães Cesário was born in São Paulo, Brazil, in 1996 and raised in Belo Horizonte, where his love for sports began with soccer. At 14, inspired by his middle brother — then a blue belt — Rodrigo stepped onto the mats for his first Jiu-Jitsu class. From that moment, he fell in love with the art and never stopped training.

Rodrigo developed his skills at Gracie Barra FP, where he had the privilege of training under and alongside some of the biggest names in the sport, including his professor Felipe Pena and world champion Gabriel Arges. Surrounded by high-level athletes, he dedicated himself fully to mastering Jiu-Jitsu and the lifestyle that comes with it. Over the years, Rodrigo earned medals across multiple organizations, always pushing himself to perform at the highest level.

In 2018, driven by the dream of becoming a professional athlete, Rodrigo moved to the United States on his own. After five years of training and competing in Florida, he relocated to Texas, where his mission grew beyond competition — evolving into a commitment to shape the next generation of champions.

For the past three years, Rodrigo has been teaching Jiu-Jitsu daily. While he continues to compete, his mindset has shifted: every match is now an opportunity to motivate his students and teammates, showing them what discipline, perseverance, and passion can achieve. His greatest joy comes from working with kids, helping them build confidence, character, and resilience through Jiu-Jitsu.

Rodrigo comes from a family deeply rooted in the sport. He is the youngest of three brothers — one a black belt and the other a brown belt — all dedicated to the art that transformed their lives. Together, they continue to share Jiu-Jitsu’s philosophy and power, inspiring others to grow, persevere, and reach their full potential.