Early Training with Mitsuyo Maeda
Under Maeda’s tutelage, Carlos trained rigorously for three years, learning the fundamentals of Jiu-Jitsu. In 1921, financial difficulties forced the Gracie family to move to Rio de Janeiro, marking the end of Carlos’s time with Maeda but the beginning of his journey to adapt and innovate the martial art.
Establishing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
After testing his skills in real combat scenarios while training with the police, Carlos saved enough money to open his own academy in 1925 on Rua Marques de Abrantes in Rio de Janeiro. He invited his brothers, including Helio, to join him. The academy gained notoriety through open challenges against practitioners of other martial arts such as capoeira, boxing, and wrestling. These contests showcased the effectiveness of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, drawing attention and students to the academy.
The Gracie Family Legacy
Carlos dedicated himself not only to teaching his brothers but also to studying human performance and health. This led to the creation of the Gracie Diet, a nutritional plan that emphasized balance and vitality, which remains influential to this day. Though he often traveled for business, Carlos continued to guide his brothers and cornered them in many of their fights, earning respect as the Gracie family patriarch.
Carlos was a father of 21 children, several of whom became legends in their own right, such as Carlson Gracie, Rolls Gracie, and Carlos Gracie Jr. Eleven of his children earned black belts under his tutelage, cementing the Gracie name as synonymous with excellence in BJJ.
Carlos Gracie’s Philosophy: The 12 Commandments
Carlos believed in cultivating both mental and physical strength. His 12 Commandments reflect his philosophy of positivity, self-improvement, and resilience:
Be so strong that nothing disturbs your peace of mind.
Speak to everyone of happiness, health, and prosperity.
Make your friends feel valued.
View events positively and transform positivity into reality.
Work solely for the best, think of the best, and expect the best.
Celebrate others’ successes as much as your own.
Focus on future victories rather than past mistakes.
Keep others joyful and maintain a pleasant attitude.
Perfect yourself without criticizing others.
Be too big for unrest, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to falter.
Share positivity about yourself through benevolence, not vanity.
Trust the world will support you if you remain true to your best self.
Legacy
Carlos Gracie’s life and work defined the ethos of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: a martial art rooted in adaptability, discipline, and self-betterment. Through his vision, the Gracie family became the torchbearers of BJJ, spreading its principles and techniques globally. Today, his legacy lives on in academies around the world, embodying his mission to use martial arts as a vehicle for both physical and personal growth.
