Mestre Poncianho Almeida was born in the town of Guaratingueta in the state of Sao Paulo, Brazil on 31st March 1980. He was taught capoeira from an early age by his father Jose Antonio Almeida and his uncle and namesake Ponciano Almeida.

In his late teens, Mestre Poncianinho got his first chance to travel outside of Brazil on a cruise ship performing live shows and classes of capoeira, he was later joined by Casquinha Capoeira, who had learned capoeira alongside him also from an early age. It was here that he met his future wife, the dancer Louise Almeida and together they returned to London, Louise's home where they inaugurated the London branch of Cordao de Ouro Capoeira. Some years and much hard work later, Poncianinho became the youngest ever member of Cordao de Ouro to be awarded the Mestre's belt.