Malandragem is often associated with mischief, cunning, and street smarts. In Brazilian culture, it grew out of necessity — a way to survive in a world shaped by inequality and oppression.

In this episode, we explore malandragem through the lens of capoeira and ask what it means today.

The book: ⁠⁠⁠50 Lessons on Capoeira, Teaching, and Life⁠⁠⁠ by Alex Maltsev

Contact: mail-podcast@alexmaltsev.me

To become a master, you first have to become a good student.

In this episode, we explore the idea of good study through the “Three Pillars” described by Mestre Ombrinho: the academy, homework, and travel. Together, these pillars form a balanced foundation for long-term growth — not only in capoeira, but in life.

We talk about why regular classes alone are never enough, why solitary practice without connection leads to stagnation, and why constant traveling and workshops can become a distraction instead of progress. Each pillar serves a purpose, and imbalance in any one of them eventually shows up in the roda.

Drawing from personal experience as both a student and a teacher, this episode reflects on plateaus, humility, and the importance of returning to fundamentals when progress slows down.

The book: ⁠⁠50 Lessons on Capoeira, Teaching, and Life⁠⁠ by Alex Maltsev

Contact: mail-podcast@alexmaltsev.me

Mastery in capoeira is not about titles, cords, diplomas, or recognition.

It’s about shaping the body, the mind, and the spirit — and allowing a practice to transform the way you live.

In this episode, we explore the three essential stages of mastery: learning, practicing, and training. Learning is understanding. Practicing is repetition without pressure. Training is practice under pressure — as close to real life as possible.

Using examples from capoeira, music, and teaching, we look at why so many people get stuck in perpetual learning, why pressure exposes gaps we didn’t know existed, and why real growth only happens when practice meets resistance.

Capoeira offers a rare space where pressure, play, risk, and safety coexist.

A training ground for life — where falling, adapting, and acting under uncertainty become skills, not accidents.

The book: ⁠50 Lessons on Capoeira, Teaching, and Life⁠ by Alex Maltsev

Contact: mail-podcast@alexmaltsev.me