XP Chronicles
Leonidas Benjumea
Building a Legacy on the Mat
In the city of Manizales, Colombia, nestled in the Andes mountains, a quiet revolution in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu has been taking shape. At the heart of this movement is Leonidas Benjumea a lawyer turned athlete, coach, and community builder. His story isn’t just about medals or competition; it’s about transformation, passion, and the pursuit of a meaningful life.
From Law School to the Mat
Leonidas’ journey didn’t begin on a mat. By the time he was in his early twenties, he had already graduated as a lawyer. While this achievement would be a crowning moment for many, for Leonidas, it marked the start of an internal conflict. Over-focused on work and caught in the cycle of partying and drinking, he found himself questioning his path.
“It just wasn’t the life I wanted,” Leonidas recalls. He started exploring different sports in search of something healthier and more fulfilling. Biking and running were steps in the right direction, but they didn’t stick. A friend eventually introduced him to MMA, and though Manizales had no Jiu-Jitsu schools at the time, the training group incorporated some groundwork.
“They didn’t even call it Jiu-Jitsu back then,” Leonidas says. “We’d just say, ‘Let’s do some ground.’”
What stood out to Leonidas wasn’t just the physicality of the sport but the people. The group was small and welcoming, and the sense of community was unlike anything he had experienced.
From “Ground” to Jiu-Jitsu
Leonidas’ first coach wasn’t a black belt. In fact, he wasn’t a Jiu-Jitsu specialist at all but a taekwondo professor training fighters for amateur MMA. Recognizing the importance of ground skills, the coach began incorporating what little Jiu-Jitsu he could into their sessions.
Leonidas embraced this grassroots approach. He and his teammates started traveling to larger cities like Cali and Medellín to train with more advanced practitioners. These trips were eye-opening, exposing Leonidas to the wider Jiu-Jitsu community and igniting his passion for the sport.
Building Jiu-Jitsu in Manizales
At the time, Jiu-Jitsu was just beginning to grow in Colombia. Manizales, a smaller city, lacked resources, but Leonidas wasn’t deterred. As a white belt, he and his teacher opened a school with the simple goal of introducing more people to the sport.
Fast forward a few years, and Jiu-Jitsu has flourished in Manizales. The city now boasts three academies, including Leonidas’ own, Tenacity BJJ. “It’s amazing to say that we helped grow the sport here,” he says.
Leonidas reflects on the early days with humility. “Back then, seeing a blue belt was incredible. We’d think, ‘That guy must know so much!’” Today, the city has two black belts, a handful of browns, and a growing number of purple, blue, and white belts.
Perseverance Through the Pandemic
When COVID-19 hit, Jiu-Jitsu training around the world came to a standstill. But Leonidas found a way to keep his students engaged. He opened the doors of his home, hosting small groups of 16 or more daily until the pandemic passed.
This resilience paid off. Once restrictions were lifted, he opened a fully equipped gym offering Jiu-Jitsu, kickboxing, and CrossFit. His academy quickly became a hub for local athletes and a testament to his dedication to the sport and his community.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
Leonidas never saw himself as an athlete growing up. “I didn’t do sports because I thought I wasn’t good at them,” he admits. Starting Jiu-Jitsu was a deeply personal journey, and he approached it with a long-term mindset.
“When I began, I set two goals: to become a black belt and to compete. But it wasn’t about winning. I just thought it was amazing that I could step into a competition and try.”
He describes competing as more than a test of skill it was a way to travel, meet new people, and immerse himself in the global Jiu-Jitsu community. “It was never about the medals. It was about the experiences and the connections I made along the way.”
The Road to Black Belt
Leonidas’ journey to black belt wasn’t linear. His training took off when a visiting black belt, Juan David, became his coach for a few years. Under Juan David’s guidance, Leonidas honed his skills and developed a deeper understanding of the art.
Though their paths eventually diverged, Leonidas continued training daily, steadily building his game. “I didn’t rush,” he says. “I focused on eating well, physical training, and improving a little every day.”
This disciplined approach paid off. Today, Leonidas is not only a successful competitor but also a role model for his students.
Challenges in Colombian Jiu-Jitsu
Despite his success, Leonidas acknowledges the challenges of being a Jiu-Jitsu athlete in Colombia. “If you don’t have the financial means to travel to the U.S. or Brazil for exposure, it’s tough to get recognized,” he explains.
Training partners of a similar skill level are also scarce. “But we’re getting there,” he adds. In a few years, we’ll have a strong pool of talent.”
For now, Leonidas bridges the gap by competing internationally and attending camps like BJJ Camp XP, where he trains with professionals.
The Role of Family and Freedom
When asked about his greatest influences, Leonidas credits his parents. “They never told me what to do or pressured me to follow a specific path,” he says. “That freedom to explore what I loved was everything.”
He recognizes that not everyone has the same support and considers himself fortunate. “To have the freedom to try different things, whether it’s Jiu-Jitsu, skateboarding, or kitesurfing that’s a gift.”
Balancing Jiu-Jitsu and Career
Today, Leonidas is focused on balancing his passion for Jiu-Jitsu with his career as a lawyer. “Owning the gym allows me to control my time, which is why I can come to camps like BJJ Camp XP,” he explains.
He has also learned to train smarter, avoiding overtraining while staying in peak shape. “It’s about knowing when to push and when to rest.”
His future plans include continuing to compete and inspiring others through his journey. “What I’ve learned from others, I analyze and apply in my own way. That’s how I grow.”
An Open Invitation
For those interested in meeting Leonidas and training with him, he extends a warm invitation to Manizales. “Come visit my academy, Tenacity BJJ. It’s affordable for visitors from the U.S. or Europe, and the city has so much to offer great food, stunning landscapes, and even ice mountains.”
Leonidas leaves us with this advice: “Believe in yourself. No one will do it for you. Be disciplined, and make sure you get things done if you want to achieve your goals.”
Leonidas Benjumea’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the impact one person can have on a community. From informal “ground” sessions to building a thriving Jiu-Jitsu culture in Manizales, his journey is nothing short of inspiring.
At XP Chronicles, we celebrate stories like Leonidas’. They remind us that the mat is more than a place to train—it’s a space to grow, connect, and discover who we are.