When everyone told Santa Fe teenager Alberto Crane to play it safe, he chose to risk it all instead. That decision—made against the heartfelt advice of friends and family—set him on an extraordinary path that would define his life.
"There's that quote... that most people lead lives of quiet desperation," Crane, now 49, reflected from his Los Angeles home. "They never go for their dreams. You have a choice. You can risk it all. I'm grateful I chose to take that risk, because it didn't make sense, but I followed my heart."
That leap of faith is the heart of "All In: Lessons On and Off the Mat," a new biography by Mexhele Deuxlemarr that chronicles Crane's remarkable journey from a Santa Fe busboy to a celebrated martial artist, fighter, and entrepreneur—all while living with multiple sclerosis for the past 14 years.
It all started at the Coyote Cafe, where a coworker named Amal Easton introduced Crane to Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Easton would become a lifelong friend and mentor, and suddenly, bussing tables lost its appeal. At just 19, Crane cashed in his restaurant savings for a one-way ticket to Rio de Janeiro, leaving behind plans for the Navy or college. Brazilian jiu-jitsu became his life—his fighting career, his business, his marriage to Edit, and fatherhood all flowed from that bold move in 1995.
Crane's competitive record speaks for itself: 20 MMA fights with a 15-5 record, a King of the Cage title won at Santa Ana Star Casino in 2003, and two hard-fought UFC bouts against Roger Huerta and Kurt Pellegrino in 2007-08. While those UFC losses might sting for some, Crane sees them differently. "Who knows what's good and what's bad?" he said. "Maybe it was for the best. I had a full career."
Off the mat, the challenges were just as real. After two stints in Brazil, Crane returned to Santa Fe in 1999 to open his own jiu-jitsu academy. Making a living as an instructor—first in New Mexico, then in Southern California—was never easy. "Business is never easy," he admitted. "But I had the right tools in my toolbox to do well and keep that same mindset, master-minding with the right people."
Through it all, Crane credits his mother, Virginia, for her unwavering support. And for anyone facing their own impossible dream, his story is a powerful reminder: sometimes the risk that doesn't make sense is the one worth taking.