Featured Traveller: Giulio La Fauci – BJJ Globetrotters
Giulio La Fauci – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 26
Belt: Purple
Profession: S&C coach
How many years in BJJ: 10
Other martial arts: I used to do Karate and Kickboxing
Where do you live: Victoria, BC, Canada
Where are you from: Victoria, BC, Canada
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: 99% nogi, 1% yes gi, currently learning juggling and photography. You can follow me on IG here.
Giulio La Fauci – BJJ Globetrotters
What inspired you to travel and train?
I’ve wanted to travel the world to train with the best grapplers and see more of the world for a long time. Until now, I’ve always been able to talk myself out of it and talk myself into the “smart” choice: go to college, get a job, build your career, etc. Unsatisfied with where I was in life, I hit a bit of a breaking point. A “now or never” moment. I figured leaving everything behind to pursue travel and Jiu-Jitsu would only get harder as I got older.
Tell us about your most recent trip and what’s next – where have you been and where are you going?
I’ve spent the last 2 and a half months in Rockville, Maryland training at Standard Jiu-Jitsu. Ecological Dynamics and the CLA (Constraints-Led Approach) has been a big interest of mine over the last year or so, and I wanted to learn more about it “from the source”. I’ve never been to the East Coast before, so it’s been cool to explore Washington DC during my time off the mats!
I’m competing in the ADCC Open in Miami this July. So I’m looking forward to exploring Miami and Florida, as well as putting some of my new skills to the test.
Giulio La Fauci – BJJ Globetrotters
What do you enjoy most about travelling?
I love the freedom of travelling alone. Being able to go anywhere and do anything at my own pace is a really fun experience. Travelling solo also makes it easier to meet new people, because you can’t just hang out with the buddies you’re travelling with.
Any particularly memorable experiences that made it all worth it?
Tough to choose just one. The level of training at Standard Jiu-Jitsu is obviously very high, and every day there makes the trip seem worth it.
What has surprised you the most while travelling?
What has surprised me so far is how natural everything seems. Going to a new place alone seemed daunting, and the process of planning the trip was pretty stressful, but once I got on the road everything just started to fall into place
Giulio La Fauci – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I would consider myself a frugal person. Having access to a decent kitchen is a must though. Even if your rent is a little higher, you’ll end up saving tons of money in the long run if you cook most of your own meals at home (especially as an athlete).
Any advice for your fellow Globetrotters?
Talk to strangers! Every friend you make along the way is a potential connection or open door to another new experience. If you get invited somewhere, go! Even if the event or activity isn’t really your thing, you never know where things will take you. I’ve been to a slacklining meetup, salsa dancing class, and even refereed a Jiu-Jitsu tournament. The more I travel, the more I realize almost every place is the same. What makes it different is the community of people you surround yourself with, so get out there and meet people!
