DreamArt Valencia: How Cristiano Siman Built One of Spain’s Most Respected BJJ Academies

Ever wonder what it takes to launch a thriving Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in a new Country during a pandemic? Meet Cristiano Siman, the man behind DreamArt Valencia, the first DreamArt affiliate in Spain.

His story isn’t just about techniques or titles, it’s about resilience, vision, and community.

Let’s break down the real-life challenges Cristiano faced, and how he turned a dream into one of the mostrespected BJJ academies in the region.

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1. Opening Right Before a Crisis

Cristiano launched Dream Art Valencia in February 2019.

Barely a year later, COVID hit.

For any gym owner, this would be a nightmare scenario, especially for a contact sport like jiu jitsu.

Government restrictions meant no rolling, no sparring, no classes.

The Challenge:‍

Three months of forced closure, followed by months of distancing rules in a sport thatthrives on close contact.

Cristiano’s Move

‍He stuck it out. He had already invested heavily into top-tier facilities, elevated mats with wood under layers for joint safety, padded walls, and plenty of space.

Instead of downsizing or backing out, he stayed the course and focused on keeping his community together.

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2. Putting People Before Profit

For Cristiano, students aren’t just monthly payments they’re family.

That mindset shaped everythingabout how DreamArt Valencia was built

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The Challenge:‍

Not every student shares the same values. Some come in with a consumer mindset: “I pay, I can do what I want.”

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How He Handled It:‍

He drew a hard line.

If a student’s attitude disrupts the culture of respect and community, they’re out.

One notable story?

A student refused to clean the mats after class, a tradition in many Jiu Jitsu gyms. When she said, “I pay to train, not to clean” Cristiano kindly invited her to leave. For him, a healthy culture outweighs any single membership.

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3. Creating a True Family Environment

It didn’t happen overnight, but DreamArt Valencia evolved into a true extended family.

Kids bring theirparents, who end up training. Parents bring their partners, who then roll too.

The vibe? Supportive, tight-knit, and always growing.

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What Made It Work:

- No Ego on the Mat: Everyone’s treated the same, from white belts to black belts.

- Support Runs Deep: Cristiano knows his students, their families, and their stories.

- No Transactional Relationships: Once you join, you’re part of something bigger.

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4. Backed by a Team That Shares the Vision

Cristiano doesn’t run the academy alone.

He’s supported by a select group of black belt collaboratorswho share his passion and values.

They’re not just technically skilled, they’re aligned with the mission of DreamArt: to change lives through Jiu Jitsu.

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Why This Works:

- Shared Vision: Every instructor is on the same page about what the academy stands for: discipline, respect, and community.

- High Standards: These black belts bring elite-level experience to the mats, elevating the level of training for all students.

- Unified Leadership: With Cristiano at the helm, this tight-knit group helps maintain consistency in the teaching, culture, and goals of the academy. Instead of trying to raise instructors from scratch, Cristiano focused on building a team of experienced black belts who could instantly contribute and grow the school alongside him.

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5. Balancing Business and BJJ Life

Cristiano lives Jiu Jitsu. Literally. The academy is open Monday through Sunday.

He trains daily, evenwhile running classes, managing the business, and preparing for competitions.

Quick Snapshot:

- Weekdays: Classes from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM

- Weekends: Open mats both Saturday and Sunday

- Personal Life: He hasn’t been back to Brazil in three years. His family manages his business there.

- Athletic Goals: Despite being 47, he still competes. He won European Master Championships last year and is training for another this year.

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Conclusion

Cristiano Siman’s journey shows that a successful BJJ academy is built on more than skill.

It takes grit, vision, culture, and community.

From surviving a pandemic to building a loyal team and nurturing hundreds of students, DreamArt Valencia is a living blueprint for how to do it right.

Whether you’re opening your own gym or just dreaming about it, take a page from Cristiano’s book: protect your culture, invest in people, and never forget why you started.