The Oak Lines

Ted Adair | The Oath & Oak

The Oak Lines is a veteran led podcast sharing stories of life after service. Hosted by Army veteran Ted Adair in Leesburg, Virginia, the show explores purpose, leadership, family, and community through honest conversations with veterans and civic voices.

Episodes

  1. Charles Gomes | Grounded in Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu

    FEB 16

    Charles Gomes | Grounded in Purpose Through Jiu-Jitsu

    From Brazil to the Navy to Lamborghini to Jiu-Jitsu: Charles Gomes' Veteran Entrepreneur Story | The Oak Lines Ted Adair interviews Charles Gomes—Brazilian immigrant, Navy veteran, former Lamborghini sales leader, and co-owner of Gracie Baja jiu-jitsu in Leesburg and Ashburn, VA. Charles shares his journey from a dirt-floor home in Brazil to California at age eight, joining the Navy after 9/11 as a damage controlman aboard USS John C. Stennis during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and discovering jiu-jitsu through shipboard "Friday night brawls" with DC1 Rosetti. He transitioned to sales through coaching connections, then joined Lamborghini's US headquarters in 2012 to build customer relations for the Americas. Charles left Lamborghini for the direct impact of teaching jiu-jitsu—transforming bullied kids, supporting adults in health and sobriety, and building diverse community. He discusses mentorship for veterans, lessons from high-performing clients, and entrepreneurial advice: write goals in pen, actions in pencil, ignore critics, build a plan, and commit fully. The episode closes with his community work supporting veteran nonprofits, a 35-hour Veterans Day fundraiser, and an invitation to try Gracie Baja free for two weeks. CHAPTERS: 00:00 From Brazil to the American Dream 06:23 Navy Service & Discovering Jiu-Jitsu at Sea 13:16 Veteran to Entrepreneur: Sales, Lamborghini & Giving Back 30:01 Jiu-Jitsu as 'Third Place': Body, Mind, Spirit 37:28 Mentorship & Entrepreneurial Advice

    1h 1m

About

The Oak Lines is a veteran led podcast sharing stories of life after service. Hosted by Army veteran Ted Adair in Leesburg, Virginia, the show explores purpose, leadership, family, and community through honest conversations with veterans and civic voices.