In a recent revealing podcast appearance, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu legend Leo Vieira shared his surprisingly measured stance on PEDs in combat sports, emphasizing that his opposition isn’t to the PEDs themselves but rather to rule violations.
“I see these discussions. For me, it was very natural, you understand? From my upbringing at home, my personal values, the education I had with Jacaré, you know? I never dabbled in it; I always had fear,”
Vieira explained.
“I’m not someone who says, ‘Ah, I’m in favor,’ or ‘I’m against.’ I’m against anything that goes against the sport. If the sport tells you not to use it, then it’s not cool to use it. If certain federations allow it, then it’s fine. Other federations don’t say anything, so people were using it anyway.”
This pragmatic perspective was shaped by his experiences competing at the highest levels, where he acknowledged the reality of facing opponents who used PEDs.
“I knew I was going to grapple against people who used it. It didn’t bother me, you understand? If it had bothered me, I would have had two choices: either take it myself to compensate, or change sports. Or I would have just sat down and said, ‘That’s as far as I can go.’ It was never something that bothered me.”
His approach to PEDs was heavily influenced by his upbringing, particularly his experience with his father’s drinking problem.
“he was never aggressive, never caused problems at home. He just drank too much, you know? And I think growing up seeing that, there were certain things I didn’t like. I didn’t like drinking, I didn’t like it at all. I didn’t even try d*ugs—it wasn’t something I was into growing up.”
Despite growing up in an environment where use was common, Vieira maintained his distance while remaining nonjudgmental.
“It was difficult, with all those things—ster*ids, d*ugs. Back then, in places like Ipanema, with those guys from the surf scene and that whole movement, it was everywhere,”
he recalled.
“My friends who did use stuff didn’t have any problems—they weren’t annoying or anything like that. We grew up in a very nice environment, even within all that.”
As a coach, Vieira has maintained this balanced perspective while prioritizing athlete safety.
“When I became a teacher and started working with athletes, I was careful because I knew athletes might use things,”
he said.
“What I always said was, ‘Look, I advise you not to take anything, because it’s something I don’t know about.’ I didn’t restrict anyone, but I told them to seek guidance from professionals—doctors, nutritionists, experts in the field.”
His coaching philosophy emphasizes focusing on what he knows best:
“I said, ‘I teach Jiu Jitsu. You learn a technique that doesn’t work, and it’s wrong. You get tired, it’s wrong. Nutrition? It’s wrong if you don’t get it right.’ That’s why I positioned myself as someone who focused on the sport while directing others to the right professionals. I knew supplementation was growing and that people would want to take things.”
Vieira‘s current position reflects the evolving landscape of sports supplementation.
“Today, I think the definitions of ste*oids, d*ugs, and supplements are still very relative. Some people might even call vitamin C a ‘bomba’ just because it’s an injection. There’s still confusion around it all,”
he observed.
“My position has stayed the same since back then. I train athletes, and I believe they can and should compete within what the rules allow and within what makes them feel comfortable—not just physically, but emotionally as well.”
This measured stance from a respected figure like Vieira adds an important voice to the ongoing discussion about PEDs in combat sports. Rather than taking an absolute position, his perspective suggests that the focus should be on clear regulations and athlete welfare, allowing competitors to make informed decisions within the established framework of their sport.
