Joel started his journey in Martial Arts at 5-years-old. He started with Judo then went on the study Muay Thai, Boxing, Wrestling and earned his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu representing the Carlson Gracie lineage. He began teaching martial arts in 2002 in Brazil and moved to the United States in 2007. He is a former American Top Team instructor and coached professional athletes for major fight promotions around the world. In 2011 Joel started representing American Killer Bees in Muay Thai. Today he is a full American Killer Bees representative.