We have many amazing people with interesting stories that walk into all our gyms! This member spotlight turns to Julian “Julz/The Chubby Roller” Gonzalez, also affectionately known as ‘Thiago’s son’ and one of our resident black belts in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. A known Star Wars and Marvel fan, Julz loves his science fiction just as much as he loves the look on people’s faces when they struggle to submit him. Read on to find out more about Julz!
Occupation: Currently labouring. Trying to become a Prison Officer.
Martial Arts/Sports: I started Japanese jiu-jitsu when i was 8 or 9. Didn’t last long, but there are photos of me doing arm bars which I had completely forgotten about. I played soccer, indoor soccer, and footy. Right now it’s mainly BJJ, the occasional wrestling class and occasional weights.
How did you get into the sport?
I really hated team sports. I never played anything long enough to be skilled to help a team and had some troubles mingling with other kids due to some anxiety. When I was 16, I went to a Tae Kwon Do gym to sign up, but they had shut down, I then found a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gym 2 days later and had a look. It looked weird, but I signed up after just watching a class. I liked it mainly because I was around people, but I had to rely on my self to prosper. Something I really needed at the time and still do.
What are your immediate training goals?
At the moment, to be as hard as possible to submit and be controlled. I figure if someone can’t finish me, it’s a matter of time before I finish them. Plus, the look on their face when their best game isn’t working. Still a work in progress.
What are your goals for the next five years?
Don’t get diabetes or have a heart attack.
Why do you love training at Absolute MMA?
Thanks to Absolute and BJJ I found friends. I had always felt lonely growing up and had some anxiety and some depression. Feels good to be a part of a community, makes it a lot easier to deal with those negatives in life.
What is your favourite move?
When I was a white belt, it was triangle from guard. Blue belt was cross collar chokes from anywhere I could get grips. Purple was a bit of everything. I think brown belt was arm bars. Currently, I like kimuras and guillotines, but I’m not great with guillotines.
What do you like to do to relax besides training?
Watching movies or shows with my girlfriend. Couch potato stuff.
Can you tell us about where you’re from and any interesting stories growing up? If you’re not originally from Melbourne, how’d you end up living in Melbourne, Australia?
I was born in Melbourne. I have lived in QLD and NSW. The only cool story I have was when I competed hungover as a purple belt in Adelaide in 2012. I won 2 divisions and $500. I actually did inside sankaku with a straight footlock on the far leg that day, before it was cool. The best part though is, I also saw a really pretty girl that day (Natalie Hobbs) but I was too afraid to talk to her. She ended up moving to Melbourne in 2017, trains at Absolute MMA now, and I’m not afraid to talk to her anymore. We are moving in together 🙂 Other than that, I’m boring AF.
Who are the kind of people that you look up to and why?
My mum. Single mother, hard worker. Has no excuses. If I had even a fraction of her character, I’d be an infinitely better person.
What’s your favourite place to eat in Melbourne and your #1 dish recommendation?
Angie’s Dumpling Bar out in Knox. All the dumplings.
If you could go back in time to your first martial art class, what would be the advice you give to your past self?
Just try to enjoy it.
“Gym enforcer for wearing footwear in the bathrooms. Not the hero we deserve, but the hero we need. All round great guy.”- Bryce Yeo
“Julz is a top bloke who has great taste in sci-fi films (Star Wars nerd). On top of that his Jiu Jitsu is strong as hell.”- Cooper Burnham
“My earliest memory of Julz was when I was a white belt and he was mat side when I was choked unconscious. He shrugged and said “She’ll be right”. Not much has changed…Seriously, the guy is a beast and has more talent in his little finger than I have in my whole body.”- Kim Cousins
“I once watched Julz eat an entire roast goat in one sitting, he is made out of some dense material 7 times as strong as any element found on earth and owns a $400 ‘lightsabre’ that takes 4D cell batteries.”- Doug Kaegi
“I’ve only rolled with Julz a few times, I tried all of the suggested Silverback Gorilla defence techniques such as:
- Slowly crouch down and make yourself small.
- Avert your gaze from any nearby gorilla and look away. Attempt to look disinterested.
- Gradually create distance between you and the gorillas without making any sudden moves.
However, I found out the hard way that these are very unreliable techniques.”- Max Mews
“My son makes me proud, his Jiu-Jitsu is better than he thinks and he is a good and loyal friend. I love this guy.”- Thiago Stefanutti
“Julz is a great guy, always has something funny to say and is a great coach and asset to anyone he trains BJJ with. If you try to submit Julz, he will often use that same move to catch you. The bastard. Julz also suspiciously looks a lot like Thiago’s illegitimate child…”- Tim Baker
“He uses panda guard. It’s infuriating.”- Natalie Hobbs
“Julz is a great guy who has helped me a lot and continues to do so. Great grappler.”- Nathan Heddle