Testimonials

John Winner, Blue Belt

“Signing up for Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu was one of the best decisions I have ever made. On both, a mental as well as a physical level, there is not a more effective martial art. Upon departing every training session I attend, I feel great and have a very clear head…i have met more interesting people the 18 months I’ve been enrolled at Gracie Barra than the entire 20 years I have lived in the San Diego region. Gracie Barra is a true brotherhood, i sense it in class and it only instills confidence in myself and feels GREAT!!! Both Nelson and Rafael are incredible instructors of which their unique teaching styles only compliment each other. With 8 years of wrestling experience under my belt prior to signing up for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, I considered myself a good grappler. Then upon rolling/training with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners at Gracie Barra, I was humble to say the least. My ground skills, standing skills as well as core strength have vastly improved, not to mention the great fun and stress reducer training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu truly is.”

Curtis Hesselgrave, Blue Belt

I started working out at Gracie Barra Encinitas a little over a year ago, three months before my 60th birthday. I have been active all my life, surfing and doing various martial arts, but the level of fitness that I have reached doing Jiu-Jitsu at Gracie Barra with Nelson and Rafael is very high; particularly my core fitness. This core fitness makes everything I do, surfing, taking out the trash or getting out of bed in the morning , easier. The creakiness of being 60 has gone away. As I learn to relax, Jiu Jitsu just gets easier and more fun.

Duane Dwyer, US Marines & Del Rey Oaks PD, Sr. Officer

After attending the Gracie Barra Academy in Encinitas, CA for 2 and a half years now, i wanted to express my thanks and my thoughts on the benefits on this endeavor. I heard Master Nelson Monteiro and Prof. Rafael Ramos speak of Jiu-Jitsu as “a way of life” on several occasions. Being a Former Military (United States Marine Corps) and active Special Response Team Officer on a California Police Department, i am a skeptical person from experience. It took some time but i found the statement “a way of life” to be true and never actually realized when it took place.

Lessons learned on the mat space at the school go far beyond the obvious. For example, traits and characteristics such as deligence, patience, dedication,hard work, team work, humility, and honesty all come into focus in the evolution of training at this school. In addintion, one can experience cultural diversity that is always beneficial by listening to and working with Professors who are both from Brasil (ony Americans spell Brazil with a Z!!) and proud of their heritage as well as being proud to be part of the future of America. Master Monteiro and Prof. Ramos and their school are an outstanding reflection on the Gracie Barra Organization and an exemple of Leadreship and Hard Work.

Their programs cover all from four years of age to no limits of age. They cover the competition mindset and training to the corporate fitness activity. From applicable technique for the Military and Law Enforcement world of confrontation to the peaceful mind of one who simply wants to build fitness and confidence. I can not imagine that a individual could engage in this program for a month a season or a lifetime without feeling that in enhanced their life in many ways.

Marco Joca , 2nd degree Black Belt

15 years of friendship made Rafael and Nelson my brothers (older ones!!!). I have learned so much from them over these past years. Not only, because of their amazing martial art skills, but also as good training partners, dedicated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu professors, and most importantly, because they are great human beings with strong core values, beliefs, and charismic personalities. It’s not easy to find people with all these qualities and that is why the citizens of Encinitas and the San Diego areas are very lucky to have Professors Rafael and Nelson at Gracie Barra Encinitas helping people learn how to gain skills and knowledge in BJJ techniques, and above all to become a better overall person. ” **** “Keep up the great job of carrying the GB Family flag guys!!

Joao Ricardo “SAL” Rangel Mendes - GB 2nd degree Black Belt with several titles and  CEO of www.apetrexo.com

“You are the kind of person that if there is no airplane, you will drive, if there is no car, you’ll use a bike, if there is no bike, you’ll walk.”
I heard that once from a very special person and I always wondered if this was true and why I was like that. The answer came  right away, Jiu-Jitsu taught me to be like that, to persevere and not give up, the day to day on the mat, mutual respect among teammates, the friendships I have made on the mats is something that made a total difference in my personal and business life and how I view things, I do not despair in a difficult situation, I breath, think and choose the best way to get out of this situation, just like in training.
At Gracie Barra we grew up idolizing not only the champions, we idolize the Doctors, the Businessman, the guy who worked all day and at the end of the day, is on the mats training with everybody, giving his best and trying to evolve everyday as a fighter and a person.
I believe the citizens of Encinitas are very fortunate to learn from the source with Prof. Rafael and Master Nelson, two of the best Gracie Barra Black Belts, longtime friends and people with unique principles and values.
Encinitas residents will graduate in “Harvard” of Jiu-Jitsu and certainly will become Champions not only on the mats, but also in life.