Passion keeps one's spirit going

By Benn Farrell

Anyone who competes in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu knows the triangle logo of the Gracie family.

And unfortunately that family and the sport itself suffered a major loss recently.

Helio Gracie, who fathered the Brazilian style of Jiu-Jitsu, passed away Jan. 29. He was 95 years old. However, the man's legacy unarguably lives on, and none-so-more than in his sons.

I had the pleasure of meeting, interviewing and observing a seminar given by Royler Gracie, son of Helio. He and his brothers are considered celebrities of the sport.

Even though his father passed away the day before, Royler Gracie still kept his commitment to spread his knowledge to less than 20 students Jan. 31 at Curtis Hill's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu school in Castle Rock. Just his presence during a sad time for his family demonstrated his passion and commitment to spreading the sport to others.

After speaking to a couple of the athletes at the school, it was easy to discover the sport isn't just a livelihood for Royler and his brothers, but it is family tradition.

When I had a chance to speak to Royler, I asked him what he thought was the most important aspect of Brazilian Jui-Jitsu he and his family try to convey to students and the world. His answer surprised me. I figured it would be some pensive philosophy or series of technical jargons I would later have to Google and learn to write this column.

Instead, he basically said making friends and keeping a smile on your face.

"Jujitsu is not violent," Royler told me in an accent that wasn't too thick to make out his English. "It's something that makes a person better. Besides this, it's exercise. You're going to learn something. You make some friends, and you enjoy the friendship. That's what we're looking for."

With the passing of father Helio, I asked the four-time world champion plenty about what he thought his father left behind as a trainer and a person. For Royler, his father was a legacy to him, but not just him.

"He's not only for me, he is a role model for a lot of people in the world," Royler said. "He's made a big revolution in the martial arts. He changes the concept how to fight, how to learn, [making it] a friendship. All these things. That's why we try to follow him."

He knows his training style and that of his brothers isn't the same as Helio's, but the family attempts to follow him in spirit. Helio was a meticulous personality, Royler told me. And he strongly felt his father changed a lot of people's lives.

Part of what's important to Royler to convey from his father's philosophy was the relaxed nature of what the Brazilians bring to this style of the sport.

"We don't try to be like the Japanese style where they say ‘Don't do this. Don't do that.' We try to be more relaxed," Royler said. "And to [see you as] my friend, it's making it easier for me to teach you. And then we're going to be a partner forever."

Royler now enjoys teaching the sport more than anything. At 43 years old, he finds his opportunities to fight are unforeseen. When I asked him, he said he couldn't say how long he would remain fighting, but if a match is brought to him, he's of course going to earn his money. Although it's a philosophy and a family tradition, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is still a business for the Gracies. Royler is just more selective these days.

"I'm not looking for a fight like a crazy. My main thing is teaching, coaching," he told me.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is one of the only martial arts that isn't included in the Olympics yet. I asked Royler if he had any predictions when Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu could be included. He said, with a laugh, it could be as soon as tomorrow, but only after two things are established first.

One, spectators have to learn the point system. Two, the sport needs to be in more countries.

"We need to make sure the people in the crowd, by the time they see the fights, they understand the scoring," Royler said. "In my opinion, the referee and the crowd needs to connect."

During his seminar, Royler relayed one analogy to his guests that stood out to me, and actually made me laugh out loud. Actually, there were several things he said that made me laugh. The guy is pretty funny.

He was trying to convey the idea that in his opinion, defense always wins. To which he said, "When I'm in a room, I leave the door open. The reasons for that is, one, that way I can always see who is coming. And two, if I need to run, the door is already open."

I've met a few celebrities over the years. I'm glad Royler Gracie is added to the list. I felt bad for him having lost his father, but he was happy to be teaching and conveying his passion. It may have been what his father would have wanted him to be doing that day — spreading friendship and a smile to the world.