Most data professionals spend their careers chasing tools, titles, and technical checklists. But what if your real growth is about how you roll?

In this session, we will step on the mat and reframe the journey from junior analyst to seasoned data leader through the lens of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As a purple belt in BJJ and a senior data professional, I will take you on a guided tour of career development following the BJJ belt system and interlaced with stories, jokes, and insights from years of data work and years of fighting on the mats.

This session follows the belt system, where each belt represents the level of technical skills, mindset, and maturity.

White: Everything is chaos, you're reactive, constantly overwhelmed, and learning to survive.
Blue: You learned the basics and can now "flow roll" through most sessions, but you still over-engineer solutions and fight battles that don't matter.
Purple: You've built your "game", you can teach, you simplify, and you start working in systems and patterns instead of single techniques.
Brown: You lead with precision and from a place of authority, strategy > brute force.
Black: You've achieved mastery, you're calm, you roll with grace, know when to go and when to let go, you can teach without ego, and you keep learning, every day, every roll.

In the list above, was I talking about data or about jiu-jitsu? Yes! Because these descriptions apply to both!

Whether you're just starting out or wondering what's next in your data career, this session will equip you with a mindset for long-term growth. And maybe, just maybe, it will leave you thinking differently about how to measure progress, handle pressure, and mentor others.

No bruises, guaranteed!

Oss!