“I’m a 43 year old man that was interested in returning to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu after an extensive lay off. At my age, I wasn’t sure if it was still an option, but I wanted to find out. Since I had last trained in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, many schools have started up in the DFW area. So I searched for the schools that were available to me and started researching them. I found six schools in the area and spoke with their instructors and learned about their approaches. Some were too lax, some were very hard on their students, some seemed almost annoyed I was there asking questions even. Some focused entirely on winning competitions with little to no emphasis on self defense or those not interested in competing.
After speaking to all of them, Professor Young’s demeanor and approach really stood out and resonated with me above the rest. He mentioned that his school is a Gracie Barra school. He took time to personally give me a tour of his school and show me the Gracie Barra approach and curriculum. He provided me with the history of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu from founder down through the lineage of each instructor ending with him. Learning he received his black belt from Carlos Machado was a plus. Compared to the other schools I visited, his school was run very well. It was also clean and very well maintained. Everyone I met was very polite and friendly. He took time to make sure I understood every facet of the school. No other school I visited did this.
I went home and read up on Gracie Barra and was happy to find that it is one of the most complete and undiluted systems of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu available. With the resources available both in class and online from Gracie Barra, the training provided is more comprehensive than anything else I’ve experienced in the past, focusing on self defense and sport jiu jitsu equally. With over 400 schools across the world, Gracie Barra utilizes a very time tested, and at the same time, advanced approach to teach Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to everyone. In fact, that is their motto. Jiu Jitsu for Everyone.
Based on Professor Young’s enthusiastic approach and Gracie Barra’s history of producing some of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu practioners in the world, I signed up for classes the next day.
I have been training at the school for about a month now and my opinion of it grows every day. I’ve seen male and female students on the mats each day ranging from pre-teens to some well into their 50’sand each are treated with the same respect and level of instruction. Safety is a big part of the school as well. Professor Young makes sure that every student trains at the level in which they are both challenged and safe at the same time. This is rare at Brazilian Jiu Jitsu schools and it is something that I really appreciate about this school.
I would have no reservations about recommending this school to anyone I know. It’s never too late to get started with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Gracie Barra Mansfield definitely embraces the ideal of Jiu Jitsu for Everyone.”
– Jarrett Hinds
“At Gracie Barra Mansfield, they say Jiu Jitsu will change your life and they’re right… not only does it work your entire body, it works your mind as well. This is a real thinking game and you quickly learn that technique wins over strength and power.
With every class you’ll gain more confidence as the instructors explain and review the moves of Jiu Jitsu. They’re not just top in the levels of martial arts themselves, but are great teachers too. Learning is fun here and you definitely feel like part of a big family… and always look forward to your next class.
The beauty of it is that age, size and strength do not matter when you are taught proper form and technique. Unlike most sports, this is something you can do for life. Come visit Gracie Barra Mansfield and meet the instructors, students and see the first class facility… you’ll see why my wife and I joined and why we wouldn’t be anywhere else!”
– Debbie & Steve Heck
Business Owners
“As a Lieutenant for the Fort Worth Police Department, I have served in various roles throughout my career and what is being taught here at Gracie Barra Mansfield exists as 100% applicable in all aspects of law enforcement and even daily life! I tried another Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy and had a horrible experience! They put me to train my first day there with guys who had been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for years, I was left roughed-up and had not learned a thing. Not at Gracie Barra, my experience with the high quality staff, their instruction, clean and professional atmosphere has been a blessing in my life!”
– Lieutenant Michael McCowan
Fort Worth Police Department
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