The Judo Nomad I Julien Brulard

Some places stay with you long after you leave the mat.

Albufeira is one of them.

I was welcomed by Dinis and his club in the Algarve for two incredible days — a training session with the local judokas, then a full regional stage the following day. The mats were packed, the spirit was high, and the sea was just a few steps away.
Associação Distrital de Judo do Algarve

But what I'll remember most isn't the techniques or the scenery. It's the people. The kindness. The gifts I didn't expect. And the fact that they decided to support this crazy project of mine — bringing judo to every country on Earth.

Their club is now on the World Dojo Map. And that means everything. 🗺️
https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/edit?mid=1x0RpIDfPzcIA5Z1DhLYMaIEn5qUMIm8&ll=0.8694753443541714%2C0&z=2

Thank you, Dinis. Thank you, Algarve. 🙏

🌍 Want to be part of this journey too?
Every contribution counts — even €1/month on Patreon helps keep this project alive → https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_

Lisbon was something else. 🇵🇹

I was invited by Mariana Esteves and her club, Salesianos de Lisboa but we did a group training with Sport Algese dafundo judo for a two-day seminar — and this wasn't just any club. We're talking international-level athletes, a coaching staff that takes the sport seriously, and a 3× African Champion as my host. Training there felt like stepping into a different gear.

But Lisbon gave me more than judo. I arrived right in the middle of the Feast of Saint Anthony — the city's patron saint — and the whole city was in full celebration mode for 10 days. Streets packed, music everywhere, sardines on every corner.

And then, almost by accident, I ended up at the Portugal vs Nigeria match. Sitting in that stadium, watching Cristiano Ronaldo play, I couldn't help but think — this might be one of the last times the world sees him on a pitch like this. It hit different.

Beach days with Mariana's crew, cold beers, warm people. This is exactly the moment i love

The full story is coming to YouTube. 🎥

If you want to help me keep going — 6 months left before i start Latin America, i need to reach 300e more — you can support the project from just €1/month on Patreon. Link in bio. Every supporter makes the next country possible.
https://www.patreon.com/Thejudonomad

https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_

62/197 countries. The road continues. 🥋🌍

🥋 Aveiro, Portugal — First session, and one of the most meaningful ones.

Some people you meet through a screen. You exchange messages for years. You share the same passion. And one day, you finally step on the same tatami.

That's what happened this week at 4JUDO with Luis. We'd been talking for years — and he's been supporting the Judo Nomad project on Patreon since the early days. Without people like him, this journey simply wouldn't exist.

The session itself? Intense 😅 One of the athletes had a scary moment and nearly got knocked out… Thankfully it was more of a scare than anything serious. Judo always keeps you humble.

Thank you Luis and everyone at 4 Judo Project for welcoming me. I hope this is just the first of many sessions together 🙏

💛 This project runs on your support.
I'm currently at 865€/month in monthly donations — my goal is 1,200€/month to be able to travel to lower-income countries next year. Every contribution makes the next country possible.

👉 Support the project : https://www.patreon.com/Thejudonomad
📺 Watch the episodes : https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_
Also thanks to : Judo Beira-Ria

Thanks for the sweets :D

Something incredible just happened... For the first time ever, I've been invited to a seminar in my own country. 🇫🇷

After training in 60+ countries around the world, I'm coming home — to Châteauroux, France — for the Judo Camp Excellence (16–21 August 2026).

A massive thank you to the team for organizing this event and for having me. It genuinely means a lot. ❤️

If you'd like to join, I'd love to see you on the mat! DM me for info or reach out to the team directly.

Spain is where this project started.

During COVID — when borders were closed and I couldn't travel — I tested the whole concept here. City after city. Dojo after dojo.

Five years later, I came back.

Castellón was the first stop. And somehow, it still felt like the beginning. 🇪🇸🥋

My first BJJ & grappling class in Europe. 🇵🇹

I've done this in Asia, in Oceania — but somehow it never happened here until today, in Braga, with the incredible team at Focus Santa Tecla.

Judo is always free — that's the core of this project. BJJ & grappling? Technically that's where I run paid seminars. But today I just wanted to be here, on the mats, sharing something I love. No price tag on that.

If you want to support the journey →
patreon.com/Thejudonomad 🙏
All my socials => https://linktr.ee/julienbrulard_

I came to Castellón to train judo.
I left with a paella story.

After class, Jordi — coach at Koi Judo — invited me home. Not a restaurant. His place. Wood fire on bricks, pan the size of a wheel, ingredients he picked himself.

The washing machine was part of the setup. I didn't ask questions.

Real. Perfect.

And the horchata with fartons after — I didn't know this existed. Now I need it every day. 🍚🇪🇸

New country starts today 🇵🇹

Portugal — country #62 on the mission. Judogi on. Back on track.

This Oceania judogi has been with me since I was coaching at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Still going. 🥋

Not every stop on this journey has judo.

Some stops just have a museum that looks like it fell from another planet, a giant spider sculpture, and an old town lit up at midnight.

Bilbao, I wasn't expecting you. 🇪🇸