Several years ago I was going through a severe spell of depression. I felt my life had no meaning, and it wasn’t going to get any better anytime soon. I was out of shape, overweight, and had really low self-esteem. I finally decided to do something about it, and started to train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Coach Wrick was my very first coach, and I even took several private lessons from him. In less than six months, I no longer suffered from depression, lost almost 30lbs, and my confidence was through the roof. I was confidently humble, and people around me recognized the drastic change. It truly made me an all-around better person.

Joining Gracie wasn’t like joining your run of the mill gym, it was like becoming part of a family. Coach Wrick gave me my very first stripe, and the feeling of accomplishment was overwhelming. The coaches’ “attention to detail” and the way they demonstrate technique makes it easy (well, I’m not going to say easy…let’s go with easier) to follow and learn. If it’s your first time in class, be prepared to shake a lot of hands and meet a ton of wonderful people. I never joined a fraternity in college, but now I feel that Gracie is a fraternity I will cherish for the rest of my life. In Jiu Jitsu it’s never a good thing letting someone take your back. But knowing I’m a part of a family that will always have my back…that’s priceless. Joining Gracie was one of the best decisions I ever made.