Background Summary

My life's mission is to empower the community through the practice of Gracie Jiu Jitsu.

Confidence is a unique sensation. It's about being self-assured without arrogance and remaining humble without submission.

I find joy in sharing the lessons I've learned throughout my journey. My aim is to assist others in leading better lives and overcoming any obstacles they encounter.

Below, I share my personal story.

Fiusa, my father, fell in love with Gracie Jiu Jitsu at a young age, deeply influenced by his close friendship with the Gracie family.

As the first son of a prosperous family, he completed an instructor course under Pedro Hemetério in São Paulo, referred by his mentor Reyson Gracie.

Later, in the 1960s, he seized the opportunity to live in Japan, the birthplace of Judo, where he furthered his skills at the Kodokan Dojo.

During his time in Japan, he explored Kimura's Dojo and forged connections with Judokas from the Iron Curtain, affording him opportunities to train in Russia, Poland, and Eastern Germany.

Upon returning to Brazil, Fiusa received authorization from Grandmasters Helio and Carlos Gracie to establish a Gracie Jiu Jitsu academy in Salvador, Bahia, his family's hometown and where I was born.

At the age of around 6, my father introduced me to the stand-up aspect of Jiu Jitsu, which he referred to as Judo. He emphasized that while Gracie Jiu Jitsu was the most comprehensive form of self-defense, due to his weekday work commitments, it would be beneficial for me to begin my training by learning how to fall, execute throws, and become familiar with the kimono (GI).

His vision was for me to transition to Jiu Jitsu training at the Gracie Academy in Rio de Janeiro once I reached the appropriate age.

In addition to Jiu Jitsu, my father ensured that I learned self-defense techniques, conducting sessions on the beach or at the farm during weekends. These sessions were rigorous, and despite occasional tears on my part, I gained valuable insights and became more attuned to real-life situations.

Training at the Gracie Academy was truly remarkable during that era. The competition team boasted numerous world champions, adding to the electric atmosphere.

Royler Gracie, at the height of his skills, led the team with prowess. The regular presence of Grandmaster Helio Gracie on Tuesdays and Thursdays lent a unique significance to those training sessions.

At the Gracie Academy, we were fortunate to attend classes led by an esteemed lineup of instructors, including Rickson Gracie (the school's founder, who later passed it on to his brothers Royler and Rolker), Relson Gracie, Helio Gracie, and Rolker Gracie

Being a student at Gracie Humaita is already an incredible experience, but undertaking an apprenticeship there adds a whole new dimension to one's knowledge.

As an apprentice, you have the privilege of observing all the private classes, assisting with group classes for kids, teenagers, and adults.

Your duties may include a lot of cleaning, answering phones, and more cleaning, along with opening and closing the school. However, the invaluable experience gained is worth a lifetime.

Conducting a class at Gracie Humaita, following the traditions established by Grandmaster Helio at the original Gracie Academy, is a truly unique experience that can only be fully appreciated through firsthand participation.

The level of commitment to perfection and discipline demanded in this environment is not for everyone, and I am immensely grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of it.

As a devoted student of the Gracie Academy and a disciple of the Gracie Family, I embraced the opportunity for a new challenge: bringing Gracie Jiu Jitsu and the Gracie Humaita legacy to Indonesia, specifically the island of Bali.

The school, named Gracie Bali, operated successfully for two years. However, I eventually had to return to Australia in order to maintain my residency status.

Today, I proudly hold Australian citizenship, continuing to carry the values and teachings of Gracie Jiu Jitsu wherever I go.

Master Rickson Gracie is renowned as the "Master of the Masters," a man who has dedicated his life to the holistic improvement of mind, body, and soul. They say, "when the student is ready, the master will come..."

I consider myself fortunate to have crossed paths with Master Rickson during my early twenties at the Gracie Humaitá in Brazil, where I was a regular blue belt.

Years later, now as a black belt, I seized the opportunity to become one of his pupils. The experience has been nothing short of transformative, filled with enlightening conversations, invaluable technical corrections, and profound guidance.

Under Rickson Gracie's mentorship, I have not only refined my skills in Gracie Jiu Jitsu but also learned the art of teaching Self Defense Based Gracie Jiu Jitsu. It has been an honor and a privilege to learn from such a legendary figure in the martial arts world.

After travelling through a few countries in Europe, Amsterdam in the Netherlands was chosen to be our first base.

From there was possible visits to Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden teaching Gracie jiu jitsu and on our second year, we moved to Norway to experience something which was totally foreign to me. The Snow.

During one year we lived in the mountains, teaching Jiu Jitsu and learning snowboarding.

It was an amazing experience, with great people, new culture, and awesome times!