Inspiring Conversations with Pedro Soriano of Pedro Soriano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Pedro Soriano.

Hi Pedro, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and started my martial arts journey in 1982 at just three years old in a Judo program at my local kindergarten. As an only child, my parents wanted me to socialize, but their top priority was making sure I could defend myself. That early start gave me a lifelong foundation of respect, discipline, and confidence.
By 1995, I was a Judo brown belt and began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A year later, I earned my Judo black belt. In 2001, I moved to the U.S. to study in an ESL program, and in 2002, I met Sensei Paulo Guillobel, who invited me to teach the Kids Program at his dojo in San Pedro. It gave me both a place to train and a career doing what I love. When he opened a new school in 2006, I opened Pedro Soriano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. I wasn’t the first school in San Pedro, but I’m proud to be the longest-standing one. My vision has always been to bridge the gap between people and Jiu-Jitsu so they can reach their full potential, while paying forward what martial arts gave me.
Today, our academy is home to students from age three to adults of all backgrounds. We’ve produced champions, but what I value most is seeing people grow in confidence, focus, and discipline. Running a small business hasn’t always been easy, but my passion for teaching keeps me going. As we expand, my mission remains the same: use Jiu-Jitsu to build stronger, more confident, and more disciplined people.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road. San Pedro is a great community, but it’s tight-knit and let’s just say people from out of town aren’t always their favorite (lol). In the beginning, I faced challenges just getting a commercial space for a business most people didn’t even know much about. On top of that, I was young and didn’t have much credibility yet. There were setbacks, but like we learn in Judo and Jiu-Jitsu, I kept my head up, dusted myself off, got back up, and kept “fighting” for my goal. That goal was, and still is, to create a place where people can come together, work out, sharpen both their physical and mental skills, and blow off steam from the demands of everyday life.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Pedro Soriano Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy is the longest-standing martial arts school in San Pedro, proudly serving the community since 2006. I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the mecca of Jiu-Jitsu, and I bring the genuine vibe of an original, traditional Jiu-Jitsu school (just like back home) to everything we do. We teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Judo, Wrestling, and Self-Defense to students as young as three years old all the way to adults of every age and background. Our programs are designed not just to build skill on the mats, but to help people grow stronger, more confident, and more disciplined in every area of life.
What sets us apart is the culture we’ve built. We’re not just a place to train, we’re a family. We focus on creating an environment where beginners feel welcome, advanced students are challenged, and everyone supports each other’s growth. I believe in bridging the gap between people and Jiu-Jitsu so they can reach their full potential, whether that’s competing, learning real self-defense, or simply getting healthier and more confident.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud of our reputation for producing well-rounded martial artists who are equally strong in skill and character. Our students don’t just learn techniques, they learn respect, resilience, and how to carry themselves with confidence in and out of the academy. At the end of the day, my goal is to keep giving people the same gift martial arts gave me: a path to becoming the best version of themselves.

We’d be interested to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you?
I believe luck plays a role in everyone’s journey, but it’s what you do with it that really matters. I’ve had both good and bad luck over the years. Moving to the U.S. and randomly crossing paths with Sensei Paulo Guillobel in 2002 was definitely good luck, it set me on the path to making a living doing what I love. On the flip side, I’ve had my share of setbacks: bad timing on opportunities, challenges with business spaces, and the usual curveballs life throws at you.
But I’ve never relied on luck alone. In martial arts, you learn to prepare, adapt, and keep fighting no matter what the circumstances are. So when good luck shows up, I make the most of it. And when bad luck comes around, I use it as fuel to grow stronger. Either way, I keep moving forward.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sanpedrobjj.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pedrosorianobjj
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SanPedroBJJ