Featured traveller: Julien Brulard – BJJ Globetrotters
Age: 31
Belt: Black (Judo)
Profession: Teacher
How many years in BJJ Judo: 27
Other martial arts: Karate, BJJ, MMA
Where do you live: Everywhere and nowhere
Where are you from: France
Other fun or curious information you would like to share: With the Judo Nomad project, I’ve had the opportunity to teach Japanese Jiujitsu, BJJ, and MMA. All those sports are martial arts that I never actually tried, and yet I taught either BJJ or MMA (Grappling) in Bulgaria, North Macedonia, Thailand, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Australia…
Our disciplines are always linked somehow, and it is really interesting (if not more) to teach a class for people of other sports.
Julien Brulard – BJJ Globetrotters
Tell us what inspired you to travel and train?
Living in Japan for nearly three years with the goal of becoming a better judoka profoundly shaped my understanding of the sport. The philosophy and depth of judo I encountered there were far beyond anything I had learned in 20 years of practice. During my time in Japan, I developed a passion for teaching. As I traveled to nearby countries, I found myself frequently invited to teach, and these experiences were incredibly rewarding and friendly, sparking the idea for my project.
I dedicated many years to studying and achieving various certifications from the French Judo Federation, culminating in a master’s degree in high-level sport performance. Despite these accomplishments, I found it challenging to secure the job I aspired to—being part of a national staff or a special judo school. This realization led me to pursue my own project, fueled by my dreams and the inspiration I gained from my experiences abroad.
Tell us about your most recent travel and your upcoming travel – where have you been and where are you going?
My most recent adventure took me to New Zealand, a place rich in both cultural diversity and judo enthusiasm. I visited multiple clubs across the country, from Auckland to Wellington to the South Island, meeting incredible judokas and immersing myself in the local judo scene. One of the highlights was training with Dave, a 76-year-old active competitor, whose dedication and energy were truly inspiring.
NZ was the 40th country out of the goal of 197 countries. It has now been 3 years out of a planned 10!
Looking ahead, my journey will continue with a return to Europe. I’ll be coaching for Vanuatu at the Olympics, which is an exciting and significant milestone. After the Olympics, I’ll head to the UK to earn my IJF certification. During this period, I plan to explore judo communities in the UK, Ireland, and possibly Iceland, continuing my mission to teach judo and connect with practitioners around the world. Each destination brings new experiences and opportunities to share the art and philosophy of judo.
Julien Brulard – BJJ Globetrotters
What are the things you enjoy about travelling?
Traveling brings a sense of adventure and discovery that I find incredibly fulfilling. I love the opportunity to meet new people from diverse backgrounds and immerse myself in different cultures. Every destination offers unique experiences, from the vibrant streets of bustling cities to the tranquil beauty of remote landscapes.
Teaching judo around the world allows me to share my passion and knowledge, while also learning from others. It’s inspiring to see how judo is practiced and appreciated in different parts of the world. I enjoy the camaraderie and connections formed through the sport, as well as the chance to grow personally and professionally. I feel like I give myself the chance of doing things that I would never have done in my life without this project.
Additionally, the challenges of traveling—navigating new places, adapting to different environments, and overcoming obstacles—are rewarding. They push me out of my comfort zone and make each journey memorable. Overall, traveling enriches my life with new perspectives, friendships, and unforgettable moments.
Can you give us some examples of experiences you had that make it worth traveling and training?
The fact that my travel is based on training and teaching makes every hard moment worth it. If I weren’t teaching judo and Jiu Jitsu, I would probably have been bored already. Doing this, I feel like I have a family everywhere waiting for me; it’s indescribable.
I have had so many good experiences. For instance, I can mention the classes I gave in Nepal, where judo is primarily humanitarian, so I taught mostly in orphanages. I was welcomed by those kids like a king, always covered in flower necklaces, food, and beautiful smiles. I taught in one orphanage for kids who lost their parents during the 2015 earthquake. They organized a ceremony and applied the traditional red tilak on my forehead—it was memorable! The next day, I watched a documentary on Netflix about the earthquake called “Aftershock.” I couldn’t stop thinking that those kids I was with the day before were in it. I just broke into tears on the back of the bumpy bus going from Kathmandu to Pokhara.
What has so far been the most surprising experience for you when traveling?
The possibilities available to us are truly limitless. Before starting this project, I was a bit pessimistic. The climate and mood in France felt negative, at least to me. I never would have believed that I would have so many opportunities just by traveling and teaching judo. I’ve been offered head coach positions in some of the strongest judo countries in the world. Today, I’m preparing to coach an athlete at the Olympics. I’ve had discussions with presidents of countries about developing sports, and I’ve met extremely influential people—some very good and some terribly bad.
I’m constantly surprised by the experiences I’ve had, even though I’ve worked extremely hard for them and sacrificed a lot in my life. The journey has shown me that the world is full of possibilities if we dare to pursue them.
Julien Brulard – BJJ Globetrotters
Are you a budget traveller – and if so how do you plan for a cheap trip?
I’m a budget traveler on a million-dollar project. Traveling to 197 countries in 10 years is incredibly expensive. While I could adopt an extreme budget travel approach, I also aim to develop the project further, with hopes of building academies around the world or organizing special training camps, perhaps even in collaboration with you!
I plan my trips based on several factors. Firstly, I have a small monthly budget thanks to the support from people on Patreon, which allows me to teach judo for free everywhere—particularly in less affluent countries.
The process is the same in every country: I contact the local judo federation or reach out to my contacts there to explore potential collaborations. This often results in staying at academies or with local hosts, significantly reducing costs.
In countries where I can afford the cost of living, I plan to stay in a hotel one day a week or more. This gives me a chance to rest and handle administrative work that I couldn’t manage during the week.
For me, making a trip affordable depends on my contacts and organization. With the right connections, I can make even the most ambitious journey more feasible.
If you were to pass on travel advice to your fellow Globetrotters, what would it be?
There are many things I would recommend:
- Go Off the Beaten Path: Some of the most incredible experiences are in the lesser-known places. Immerse yourself completely, learn the language or at least some of it, and participate in local traditions. This brings us to the second recommendation:
- Be Open-Minded and Tolerant: Traveling for extended periods or to many places means you’ll encounter people with different or even opposing views. Learning how to communicate (or not) with these people is crucial. Remember that you’re not at home and need to stay humble. Even if you disagree with something or find it extreme, sometimes it’s best to just let people talk.
- Embrace Flexibility: If you’re planning a budget and long-term travel like I do, flexibility is key. Everything changes constantly, and your plans are temporary. This requires readiness and adaptability. Not everyone can tolerate such a life, so be prepared for it.
- Stay with Your “Family”: Whether it’s your jiu-jitsu or judo family, when you travel, find a gym, and after a few classes you’ll be part of the family. This not only enhances your travel experience, but can also save you from tricky situations.
- Traveling with a Community: Traveling within a community is intense. Training can be hard when you’re not used to it, but meeting new people and new teams means frequent hellos and goodbyes. It’s an intense lifestyle but also leads to some of the best parties of your life!
- Safety First: Be wise and cautious. Travel with your passport in your hand luggage, avoid illegal substances or shady activities, and train hard but smart.
