Rodrigo Lamounier de Freitas
Brazilian fourth-degree black belt Rodrigo Freitas links an open-guard competition career with his work as founder and head coach of Inspirit Jiu-Jitsu.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, “Rodrigo Freitas.”(opens in a new tab)
The profile identifies the subject's full name as Rodrigo Lamounier de Freitas and says he was born on November 29, 1983, in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Where in the source: Rodrigo Freitas Jiu Jitsu — full-name field; biography — opening birth sentence.
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Freitas began jiu-jitsu in 1997 after earlier experience in karate and judo, and he committed to the sport during his teens.
Where in the source: Biography — paragraph on his 1997 start and earlier martial arts.
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Aldo Januário was Freitas's only coach during his formative jiu-jitsu years and awarded all of his belts, including his black belt in 2007.
Where in the source: Biography — paragraph on Aldo Januário and the 2007 promotion.
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Freitas moved to the United States in March 2009 to help Gracie Barra's expansion and left the organization in July 2015 to develop his own academy.
Where in the source: Biography — closing paragraphs on the 2009 move and 2015 departure.
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His listed senior achievements include first place at the 2014 IBJJF Pan Championship No-Gi and first place at the IBJJF American Nationals in 2010, 2011 and 2013.
Where in the source: Main Achievements — first-place entries for Pan No-Gi and American Nationals.
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Inspirit Jiu Jitsu Academy, “Coaches.”(opens in a new tab)
Inspirit's current coaches page lists Freitas as head coach and founder, repeats his 1997 start and 2007 black-belt promotion under Aldo Januário, and says he now leads the academy in Redondo Beach.
Where in the source: Meet Our Coaches — Rodrigo Freitas profile.
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International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation, “Athlete Results: Rodrigo Freitas.”(opens in a new tab)
The current IBJJF athlete profile lists Rodrigo Freitas as a black belt representing Inspirit Jiu-Jitsu Academy.
Where in the source: Athlete Results — identity header above the results sections.
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Danny O'Donnell, “The Complete Guide To Jiu-Jitsu CON 2025,” IBJJF, August 25, 2025.(opens in a new tab)
IBJJF named Rodrigo Freitas among the Masters 1 and 2 athletes to watch at the 2025 World Master Championships.
Where in the source: World Master section — Masters 1 and 2 athletes-to-watch list.
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RedeTV, “Casal brasileiro transforma paixão pelo jiu-jitsu em empreendimento de sucesso nos EUA,” March 13, 2025.(opens in a new tab)
RedeTV identifies Rodrigo Freitas as Brazilian and reports that he started jiu-jitsu at age 13 in Belo Horizonte before moving to California in 2009 as a Gracie Barra America instructor.
Where in the source: Opening profile paragraphs — nationality, start and 2009 move.
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The article says the academy became a Gracie Barra franchise in 2013, went independent as Rodrigo Freitas Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2015, expanded as Inspirit Jiu-Jitsu Academy in 2024, and remained led by Freitas in classes and training.
Where in the source: Academy-history paragraphs — 2013 franchise, 2015 independence and 2024 expansion.
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The Jiu Jitsu Mindset Podcast, “A Talk with Rodrigo Freitas: Embracing the Jiu-Jitsu Mindset,” May 15, 2026.(opens in a new tab)
A 2026 interview summary identifies Freitas as head of Inspirit Jiu Jitsu Academy, describes his early learning through persistence and VHS study, names spider guard as his signature, and presents his view of jiu-jitsu as moving meditation.
Where in the source: Episode summary — identity, early learning, signature and view sections.
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Krista Stryker, “Rolling Through Life,” On Fire, March 3, 2024.(opens in a new tab)
In a long-form interview, Freitas describes choosing jiu-jitsu as a profession, teaching and competing after moving to the United States, and sustaining his practice through discipline; the profile also emphasizes his open guard and work as a coach and mentor.
Where in the source: Rolling Through Life — training origin, career commitment and later-practice sections.
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Inspirit Jiu Jitsu Academy, homepage.(opens in a new tab)
Inspirit Jiu Jitsu's current official homepage identifies Rodrigo Freitas as a fourth-degree black belt.
Where in the source: Meet Our Coaches — Rodrigo Freitas belt heading.
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