Meet Glayton Melo of IronGrip Jiu Jitsu

Today we’d like to introduce you to Glayton Melo

Hi Glayton, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in Recife Brazil – a big city right on the beach. My mom was a single mother, trying to raise three kids in a very poor country and I was a wild boy. Always getting into trouble. I think Jiu jitsu saved my life and kept me on the right path – I started when I was fourteen. My friend convinced me to join and from there we spent all our free time training and competing, I started winning all the local tournaments.

I had to slow down a little when I got to the age when I wanted to go to college because I had to work and pay my own way. I ended up joining the federal police and then specializing in their SWAT team. I learned a lot about myself during those years and saw the best and worst in people.

My country has a lot of corruption. I didn’t want to raise a family there and work my whole life for so little opportunity. I had contacts here in the jiu jitsu and MMA community and came over on a special skills visa. I started out in Charleston, struggling to learn English and make my way here. But America has a ton of opportunity if you work hard. Today I’m have my business, my family, my citizenship – it was worth every hard moment.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Coming here was a huge challenge – I left everything behind in Brazil. I didn’t know the language, I had a few friends here but no family. It was so difficult to find myself – when you cannot communicate with others, you cannot connect. It was very isolating. I wanted to quit so many times that first year.

My friend encouraged me to give it time and to just spend less time studying and more time just around people in the gym to pick up the language. He was right – over time I learned.

Being an immigrant, there are so many ways you learn and adapt – it’s not just the language, its the culture. It requires you to be vulnerable and open to change.

As you know, we’re big fans of IronGrip Jiu Jitsu. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
IronGrip Jiu Jitsu is my gym in downtown Raleigh. I teach adults and kids classes and we have a mix of gi and no gi classes. My goal is to share how this sport can change your life – it builds resilience and confidence in people. It is not an easy martial art, its for real. There is no striking or kicking, it’s just grappling and submissions. Its real pressure, real skills – there’s no pretending with jiu jitsu. This makes it an excellent martial art – not just for competing and sport scenarios, but also self defense.

What matters most to you?
I think people learn and grow through struggle. The hard, difficult seasons of life shape us so we can truly understand gratitude and happiness. Stepping onto the mat after a really hard day or during a stressful season, you can find some inner peace. My wife tells me its like therapy – you process and release stuff while you’re fighting.

The nice thing about jiu jitsu is its really not about fighting the other person – its about challenging yourself. It’s growing your skills, your mental toughness, your character. I love my gym, I love my students, I love creating this community for others. Honesty is really important to me – don’t try to make things always sound good – sometimes it’s not. The honest truth is the most important thing to share with others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://irongripjiujitsu.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/irongripjj/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/irongripjiujitsu/