World Championships
IBJJF World Championship Medalist
2016 & 2019
IBJJF World Open Weight Medalist
2016
Meet Your Instructor
Professor Nando Carvalho
Head Instructor & Co-Owner · GFTEAM APEX · Mt. Juliet, TN
A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, Pan American and World Championship medalist, and dedicated mentor. Professor Nando has spent over 10 years training, competing, and coaching students of all ages — and he brings the internationally respected GFTEAM tradition to Mt. Juliet through GFTEAM APEX.
Professor Nando Carvalho
0
Years Training & Coaching
0
IBJJF World Medalist
0
International Open Champion
0
Brazilian National Teams Champion
The Instructor
A Life Built
On Jiu-Jitsu
Professor Nando Carvalho is the Head Instructor and Co-Owner of GFTEAM APEX in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee — a black belt, a medalist, and above all a coach.
Originally from Brazil, Nando has devoted his life to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, earning recognition at some of the sport's most prestigious tournaments while competing against elite athletes from around the world. Although he continues to compete, his greatest passion is helping others discover the life-changing benefits of Jiu-Jitsu.
Throughout his coaching career, Professor Nando has guided children, adults, competitors, military personnel, and first responders. His teaching philosophy goes far beyond techniques and medals. Every class is designed to help students build confidence, discipline, resilience, leadership, and practical self-defense skills that positively impact every area of life.
Today, Professor Nando is proud to bring the internationally respected GFTEAM tradition to Mt. Juliet through GFTEAM APEX — a mission that is simple: to build more than successful athletes, empower children, and help every student become the best version of themselves.
Rank
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
Role
Head Instructor & Co-Owner
Team
GFTEAM — Grappling Fight Team
Service
Tennessee Army National Guard
How He Teaches
Beyond Techniques
And Medals
Professor Nando believes that every student deserves individual attention and a clear path for growth. Whether someone is stepping onto the mats for the very first time or preparing for high-level competition, his goal is to help each person reach their fullest potential while creating a positive, supportive, and challenging training environment.
At GFTEAM APEX, every student receives the support, coaching, and encouragement needed to succeed regardless of age, experience, or goals. Whether your objective is fitness, self-defense, competition, or earning a black belt, Professor Nando is dedicated to helping you become the strongest version of yourself, both on and off the mats.
Who He Has Coached
Children
Adults
Competitors
Military Personnel
First Responders
01
Confidence
Real capability earned on the mat — the kind that shows up at school, at work, and everywhere else.
02
Discipline
Showing up, doing the work, and repeating it. Jiu-Jitsu rewards consistency over talent.
03
Resilience
Learning to stay calm under pressure, solve problems, and keep going after a setback.
04
Leadership
Students who set the standard for their training partners and carry it off the mat.
05
Self-Defense
Practical, proven technique — taught the way the GFTEAM system was built to teach it.
Service
Beyond The Mats
In addition to his accomplishments in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Professor Nando proudly serves in the Tennessee Army National Guard.
Until March 2026, he served with the Memphis Safe Task Force, supporting efforts to protect and serve local communities throughout West Tennessee. During his assignment, he also instructed fellow soldiers in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and practical self-defense, helping improve physical readiness, confidence, control techniques, and decision-making under pressure.
His contributions helped strengthen operational partnerships between federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies.
- Tennessee Army National Guard
- Memphis Safe Task Force — through March 2026
- Jiu-Jitsu & self-defense instructor to fellow soldiers
- Physical readiness, control techniques, decisions under pressure
Competitive Accomplishments
Earned On The World Stage
A record built against elite athletes from around the world — from Rio de Janeiro to the biggest tournaments in the sport.
Pan American Championships
IBJJF Pan American Championship Medalist
2021
Brazilian National Championships
Brazilian National Championship Medalist
2016 & 2019
Brazilian National Teams Champion
2016, 2017 & 2018
International Titles
Atlanta International Champion
2021
Memphis International Medalist
2026
South America International Medalist
2016
Rio BJJ PRO
Rio BJJ PRO Medalist
2018 & 2019
Rio BJJ PRO Open Weight Medalist
2018 & 2019
International Opens
Multiple International Open Championships — Champion
2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 & 2021
The Mission
Build More Than Successful Athletes Empower Children
Help every student become the best version of themselves. That is the mission at GFTEAM APEX — and it is the standard Professor Nando holds every class to, for every student who walks through the door.
Professor Nando Carvalho · GFTEAM APEX
Founding Memberships Closing Soon
Train With Professor Nando
50 spots. One founding rate. Opening July 2026.
GFTEAM APEX · 1003 Meb Court, Suite 400, Mt. Juliet, TN 37122