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Jocko Podcast
293: Rickson Gracie. "You Do a Good Job Staying Calm in Bad Positions. That Is an Important Thing." Jiu Jitsu is Life.
Aug 4, 2021
03:41:00
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Quick takeaways
- Staying calm in difficult situations is crucial, not only in Jiu Jitsu but also in SEAL team training and leadership.
- The rich history of the Gracie family and the development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu played a significant role in the evolution of the martial art.
- Continuous self-improvement, learning from experiences, and maintaining a focused and calm mindset are key to success in Jiu Jitsu and life.
- Practicing yoga and diaphragmatic breathing can transform physical and mental abilities, enhancing strength, energy recovery, and mental focus.
- The concept of invisible jujitsu emphasizes techniques imperceptible to observers, delivering superior effectiveness and enhancing mental, spiritual, and physical capacities.
Deep dives
Lessons from Training with Jiu Jitsu Legend Hixon Gracie
The podcast episode explores the personal journey of the speaker as he trains with Jiu Jitsu legend Hixon Gracie. The speaker recounts his experience of feeling overpowered and defeated by Gracie, learning the importance of staying calm in difficult situations. This lesson extends beyond Jiu Jitsu and applies to other aspects of life, such as SEAL team training and leadership. The speaker highlights the principles of Jiu Jitsu that can be applied to various endeavors, emphasizing the importance of staying calm, prioritizing focus, and continuously learning and adapting.
The Gracie Family and the Evolution of Jiu Jitsu
The podcast delves into the rich history of the Gracie family and the development of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. It traces the lineage from Archibald Gracie in the Civil War to Carlos and Elio Gracie, who fathered numerous children to create a clan of fighters. The speaker shares intimate details of growing up in the Gracie family, training with siblings, and the impact of influential brothers like Holes and Horien. The summary also highlights the speaker's immersion in the colorful and tumultuous culture of Rio de Janeiro during his formative years.
Personal Growth and Lessons Learned from Jiu Jitsu
The podcast episode covers the speaker's personal growth and the lessons he learned through his Jiu Jitsu journey. It explores the evolution of his skills, from struggling against his older brother Holes to eventually surpassing him in skill and becoming a better fighter. The speaker reflects on the mistakes he made during fights, including fighting emotionally and being motivated by ego and anger. He shares the realization that emotions can blind one's judgment and negate precision and martial artistry. Overall, the speaker emphasizes the importance of constant self-improvement, learning from experiences, and the significance of a focused and calm mindset in Jiu Jitsu and life.
Hickson's Transformation Through Yoga and Breathing
Hickson Gracie shares how practicing yoga and diaphragmatic breathing helped him transform his physical and mental abilities. After feeling a lack of understanding in breathing and control during his martial arts training, he sought out a yoga teacher who specialized in movement and breathing exercises. Through private lessons, he learned to work his diaphragm and achieve a meditative state of mind. This practice not only improved his physical performance, but also helped him control his emotions and achieve clarity of thought. Breathing became a central part of his life, enhancing his functional strength, energy recovery, and mental focus.
The Impact of Holes's Tragic Loss and Its Effect on the Gracie Family
One of the major turning points in the podcast episode is the tragic death of Hals Gracie, who was a beloved part of the Gracie family. His sudden passing affected the family dynamics and created a division between the Gracies. Hals had played a unifying role between the different branches of the family due to his connection with both his father Carlos and his uncle Elio. With his absence, the family faced challenges in maintaining unity and a shared identity. The loss of Hals also marked a transition in leadership as H.H. Gracie became the family's last line of defense and had to step up to lead.
The Evolution of Jiu Jitsu and the Impact of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
The podcast episode highlights the evolution of Jiu Jitsu as a martial art and the distinction between Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. The Gracie family played a significant role in the development and spread of Jiu Jitsu, and their teaching style emphasized self-defense and the traditional aspects of the art. However, as Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gained popularity, competition became a focal point, leading to the rise of sport Jiu Jitsu and the formation of teams like Gracie Baha. Today, the term Jiu Jitsu is more commonly used to refer to both traditional and sport Jiu Jitsu, while the terms Gracie Jiu Jitsu and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu highlight specific aspects and approaches within the art.
Jiu Jitsu as a Path to Personal Empowerment
My goal is to create a form of Jiu Jitsu that empowers people both on and off the mat. By teaching patience, hope, strategy, emotional control, and breathing, I aim to change people from within in a way that other methods cannot. Conflict takes many forms in today's world, and physicality is just one aspect of it. Technology has reduced human interaction and made people scared of face-to-face interaction. Social media has given cowards a platform to disrespect others without consequences. Through Jiu Jitsu, I create a cooperative environment where students learn and practice without competition, allowing them to learn its invisible aspects. Jiu Jitsu becomes a tool to teach life skills and help people in their everyday lives.
Lessons from Personal Losses and Family Legacies
In the face of personal losses, such as the tragic departure of my son Hoxon, I learned valuable lessons. I discovered the importance of reaching the bottom, allowing oneself to be weak and fragile in order to find strength and re-emerge. Losses can lead to personal growth and a new appreciation for life. The legacies of my family, including my grandfather and father, live on through the third generation. I strive to continue their traditions by representing the Gracie family and empowering others through Jiu Jitsu. Ultimately, my goal is to help people achieve happiness, overcome obstacles, and develop the necessary skills for success in life.
Jujitsu as a Tool for Personal Growth
Hickson Gracie highlights that jujitsu is more than just fighting. It serves as a tool to teach individuals about themselves. By training in jujitsu, students aim to perfect basic techniques and test them on a level playing field, seeking personal growth rather than simply overpowering opponents. The practice of jujitsu emphasizes the importance of feeling rather than seeing or understanding, as it is through feeling that one can truly understand the depth and effectiveness of the techniques. This sensorial approach to jujitsu aims to develop mental, spiritual, and physical capacities, empowering individuals to handle life's challenges.
The Invisible Jujitsu and the Impact of Jujitsu Lifestyle
Hickson Gracie discusses the concept of invisible jujitsu, which involves techniques that are imperceptible to the observer but deliver superior effectiveness. This aspect of jujitsu represents its depth of knowledge, surpassing personal qualities such as strength or speed. The incorporation of invisible jujitsu can greatly enhance mental, spiritual, and physical capacities, enabling individuals to successfully interact with both weaker and stronger opponents. The jujitsu lifestyle goes beyond the physical aspect, emphasizing empowerment, self-improvement, and the embracement of love and techniques for greater service to others. By spreading the philosophies and teachings of jujitsu, Hickson and others aim to create a positive impact on future generations.
0:00:00 - Opening
0:05:01 - Rickson Gracie.
3:04:29 - Final thoughts
3:11:49 - How to stay on THE PATH.
3:38:55 - Closing Gratitude.
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