Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sensation Mica Galvao decided to walk a mile in his pregnant wife’s shoes, or rather, wear her belly. Galvao wanted to gain a firsthand understanding of what she experiences during late-stage pregnancy while training.
In a video that has captured attention across social media, Galvao strapped on a pregnancy simulation belly to accompany his wife through a workout at nine months pregnant. The experiment quickly proved more challenging than the multiple-time world champion anticipated.
“I’m ready to work out my belly,” Galvao announced at the start, his confidence evident. That enthusiasm rapidly gave way to discomfort as he began experiencing the physical realities pregnant athletes face daily.
“My lungs can’t expand,” he noted early in the session, struggling with restricted breathing. As the workout continued, his observations became more detailed: “I feel the acid” and “It’s squeezing my lungs.”
The simulation highlighted several specific challenges. Galvao commented on how the added weight affected his movement patterns, stating “My center of gravity” had shifted noticeably. He also noted the physical pressure, saying “I feel like I need to pee” and describing how “organs are being squished.”
Perhaps most telling was his reflection on the different perspectives involved: “I’ve experienced being a baby, but not carrying.”
The experience stands in contrast to what some elite athletes have accomplished during pregnancy. Olympic wrestling champion Amit Elor has continued training while seven months pregnant, maintaining her connection to grappling sports. The 22-year-old gold medalist has been practicing flow rolling, a gentler form of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu sparring, alongside her husband.
“I thought there was a chance that I’d be swollen by now, sitting all day. And so I’m really grateful that I’m feeling this good and that, of course, the baby is doing amazing, healthy, and that it’s low risk and that I’m just capable of continuing to train,” Elor said in a conversation.
She emphasized the importance of body awareness during this period. “I’m just listening to my body. It’s been going through a lot of changes the past few months, but I am surprised, you know, just how amazing women’s bodies are and what we’re capable of,” she explained.
For Elor, maintaining her training routine provides benefits beyond physical conditioning. “This is fun for me. This is my passion. To be able to continue on the mat in a safe way feels healthy. It feels good for both me and my baby. So I’m just taking it day by day and having fun,” she said.
Galvao’s brief simulation served as a humbling reminder of the daily reality pregnant athletes navigate. By the end of his workout, the champion appeared ready to remove the belly, having gained new appreciation for what his wife manages while maintaining her training regimen.
