OWNER / HEAD INSTRUCTOR BIO

GARY  ‘Prefeito’  GRATE

4th Degree Charles Gracie Black Belt!

Gary has competed & trained with the best in the world! He has had the opportunity to train with many elite top level Jiu-Jitsu competitors & professional fighters including: Charles Gracie (Ruiry Gracie), Robson Gracie, Reyson Gracie, Rickson Gracie,  Roger Gracie,  Renzo Gracie,  Royce Gracie,  Cesar Gracie,  Royler Gracie, Pedro Sauer,  B.J. Penn,  Cleber Luciano,  Jean Jacques Machado, Roger Machado, Randy Couture, Chuck Liddell,  Diego Sanchez,  Frank Cucci,  Fabio Santos,  Jake Sheilds,  Nate Diaz,  Ken Shamrock,  Matt Thorton,  Nino Shchembri,  Ricco Rodriquez,  Robert Drysdale,  Saulo Ribeiro,  Vladimir Matyushenko, Roberto ‘Cyborg’ Abreu and many others… He also travels to Brasil each year to train and teach seminars for the Military, Law Enforcement, Special Forces and several Academies…

Gary graduated from Wooster High School (Reno, NV.) class of 1987, where he became their first Northern Nevada State Wrestling Champion in 10 years. He then later returned to become the assistant coach before going on to win the Nevada State Freestyle Wrestling Championships. He has also competed in the U.S. National Wrestling Championships three times, twice for the Olympic Trials. Gary is an 8 year veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces, joining the U.S. AIR FORCE in 1988, then the famed NEVADA AIR NATIONAL GUARD ‘HIGH ROLLERS’ serving during ‘Desert Storm’. His natural progression from wrestling and the military led him to the World renowned Gracie family where he fell in love with the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Continuing to compete in both MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitions, he has won numerous titles and tournaments, eventually becoming a Certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy owner & Instructor. Gary received his Blue Belt from Rickson Gracie, then went on to receive his Purple, Brown, & BLACK BELT from Charles Gracie, and continues to train with Charles Gracie!

CHARLES GRACIE is a Brazilian professional mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. He is the son of Jiu-Jitsu Grandmaster Robson Gracie and the brother of Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie and Ralph Gracie. Charles started training in Jiu-Jitsu at age 5. He was instructed by his uncles Rolls Gracie, Carlos Gracie Jr. and Reylson Gracie. He made his MMA debut with a win over Assuerio Silva. Charles was promoted to the rank of Coral Belt on April 16th 2016!

–

LEAD / HEAD INSTRUCTOR:

*LEAD CORNER TO KEN SHAMROCK /

ASSISTANT & MMA COACH TO PRO TEAM & IFL ‘LIONS’

* EMPOWERMENT SAFTEY SOLUTIONS COURSES

(WOMEN’S ONLY SELF-DEFENSE / RAPE SAFE)

* LAW ENFORCEMENT GROUND DEFENSE COURSES / LEO DEFENSIVE TACTICS

* AIRLINE SELF-DEFENSE COURSES (POST 9/11)

* GUARDIAN ANGLES SELF-DEFENSE COURSE

* MILITARY / LAW ENFORCEMENT / PRISON GUARDS

(ARARANGUA, SANTA CATARINA – BRAZIL)

* SECURITY SERVICES – (PERSONAL, PRIVATE & PUBLIC NIGHTCLUBS)