Today we’d like to introduce you to Ricardo Bayona.
Ricardo, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I finished my last exam to graduate from business school and took a cab to the airport. I was leaving Bogota (my home city) to go to Los Angeles and learn that cool martial art that I have been obsessing about for a while now…
Gracie Jiu-Jitsu (The Martial Art that made me move countries) promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can successfully defend themselves or another against a bigger, stronger, heavier assailant by using proper technique, leverage, and most notably, taking the fight to the ground, and then applying joint locks and chokeholds to defeat the opponent. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu excels as the BEST Self-Defense System in the world.
I went right to the source and visited the creators of the art: The Gracie Family. The Gracies are a Brazilian family that perfected Jiu-Jitsu and also invented the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a mixed martial arts competition created with the sole purpose of proving that Jiu-Jitsu is the Most effective Martial Art. Today the UFC is a multi-billion dollar business. I started training almost immediately after I arrived, but Rorion Gracie warned me: “Getting to black belt level will take a decade.”
Ten years after I was awarded my black belt and decided to open my own gym. I moved to beautiful Key Biscayne in Miami and started Miloki Flow | Jiu-Jitsu & Movement 5 years ago in September of 2013. It’s been a beautiful journey in which I have met wonderful people that I have learned from and also have had the privilege to also pass down the knowledge and empower others.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Many struggles, all worthwhile. I have had my share of injuries, and normal struggles that come whenever you attempt something worthwhile. Being able to appreciate the process, being present and having an open mind that allows you not to lose track of the big picture and your goals -Whenever the road gets bumpy- It’s the key to success.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Miloki Flow | Jiu-Jitsu & Movement – what should we know?
Miloki Flow is an empowering pursue. We empower students to achieve excellence in health, character, and wellness through our Self Defense, Fitness and movement training systems. We work with the whole family. We love to empower kids, making them “bully-proof” kids. We work with the dads, giving them a cool hobby, keeping them healthy and boosting those alpha attributes thru the years. We give women real tools to defend themselves, keeping them fit and healthy and building confidence that transcends beyond the gym into all areas of their life.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
I have so many people to thank along the way 🙂 BIG thank you to my wife, my friends, students and my team at Miloki Flow. Very grateful to my friends Alberto, Eduardo and Rudy and the Gracie family.
Contact Info:
- Address: 200 Crandon Blvd, Suite 103
Key Biscayne, Florida 33149NEXT to Starbucks in Key Colony Plaza. - Website: milokiflow.com
- Phone: 3109043415
- Email: ricardo@milokiflow.com
- Instagram: @milokiflow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/milokiflow/
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