Coragem Jiu Jitsu: Gina Contel’s Journey in Opening her Academy

Key Takeaways

• Gina Contel opened Coragem Jiu Jitsu, her own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy, at the end of 2024 after years of competitive success.
• Challenge: Balancing renovations, teaching, and competing led to burnout and injury.
• Turning Point: Injury clarified her priorities and fueled her decision to focus on building her academy.
• Outcome: Months after launching, Coragem Jiu Jitsu is thriving with a loyal student base and efficient operations.

A Champion with a New Mission

After earning multiple gold medals at the IBJJF European Championships and claiming silver in 2025, Gina Contel turned her attention to a new challenge:
founding her own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy, Coragem Jiu Jitsu.

Now, several months into this new chapter, the gym has grown into a vibrant hub for BJJ enthusiasts.

“It was a lot of stress at the beginning, a good stress, but now it feels like things are finally flowing”

says Gina.

“I love this place and everything it represents.”

The Long Road to a New Beginning

Before opening Coragem Jiu Jitsu, Gina had already built a name for herself in the BJJ world, winning gold at the IBJJF Europeans in 2020, 2023, and 2024.

Her competitive achievements were matched by her growing passion for coaching, which she honed while teaching at another gym.

Those years coaching were pivotal. They gave her insight into what it means to build a team and foster a supportive training environment.

“It’s where I really started shaping my identity as a teacher, not just a competitor”

she reflects.

Balancing construction, class planning, and preparation for competition left her overextended.

A key moment came when she injured herself competing at the No Gi Europeans, an event that forced her to pause and reassess.

“It wasn’t just the injury. It was a wake-up call. I had to stop doing everything at once and focus on what really mattered.”

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Gina Contel in her new gym, Coragem Jiu Jitsu

Building a Community, Not Just a Gym

Today, Coragem Jiu Jitsu has developed beyond the early days of setup.

With consistent classes, word-of-mouth growth, and a steadily increasing student base, Gina has been building more than a gym, she’s building a community.

“What I’m most proud of is not just the mat space or the branding, it’s the people.
We’ve created something special”

she says.

Her vision has always been about more than just technique, it's about values, culture, and connection.
And after months of consistent effort, those pieces are falling into place.

👉 Check this article if you want to learn How To Create a Good Jiu Jitsu Gym Culture_‍

Managing It All: How MAAT Helped Bring It Together

Opening and running Coragem Jiu Jitsu is a complex endeavor, and Gina knew she’d need the right tools to make it work.

Before launch, she chose MAAT as a gym management software to streamline the administrative side.

“I used to work with another system that felt overloaded with features I didn’t need. MAAT felt tailor-made for what I’m doing”

she explains.

From managing schedules and attendance to handling payments and student communication, MAAT helped Gina simplify operations from day one.

The mobile-friendly interface and real-time updates have been essential for her day-to-day flow.

“It’s incredibly time-saving”

she adds.

“I can check who’s in class, update fees, and contact students, all from my phone.”

Advice for Fellow Coaches and Gym Owners

Months into running Coragem Jiu Jitsu, Gina offers practical advice for others looking to take the leap:

“Don’t wait for the perfect moment, it doesn’t exist. But do make sure you’re clear on why you’re doing it. That purpose will carry you through the tough days.”

And when it comes to management tools:

“MAAT is the best option I’ve used so far. I’ve already recommended it to friends who run other gyms.”

👉 Book a Call with our team and discover why more gym owners like Gina are choosing MAAT

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