Jiu Jitsu functions not only as an effective form of self-defense, but also as a high-quality method of education. Numerous leaders recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu for both adults and children. Women and men in particular benefit from the therapeutic effects of BJJ, as the training serves as a means of stress relief. However, this is only true if the BJJ instructors teach both the techniques and the philosophy behind Brazilian Jiu Jitsu professionally.
Famous politicians who have practiced Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Numerous executives and politicians train and recommend Gracie Jiu Jitsu as a martial art to effectively relieve stress. Theodore Roosevelt practiced jiu jitsu in the White House. In 2025, there was a memorial service at the White House held in honor of BJJ and Theodore Roosevelt. However, politicians were not the only leaders who regularly practiced this martial art.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu promotes a self-confident appearance
Executives working in industry have also found that they benefit from BJJ. Why do business leaders recommend and practice Gracie Jiu Jitsu?
First and foremost, self-defense training has a positive effect on self-confidence. Not only politicians or managers, but also doctors and lawyers need healthy self-confidence. This is a necessary quality that people need if they want to be successful in life.
A politician leading an election campaign will not receive the necessary number of votes if he does not convey self-confidence. A doctor, especially a surgeon, gains the trust of his patients with a confident demeanor. Jiu Jitsu is the source of self-confidence.
How martial artists overcome everyday hurdles
In turn, healthy self-esteem results from physical and emotional balance. Regardless of the success people achieve in life, they also fight different battles within themselves. Jiu Jitsu, as a versatile martial art, helps to overcome these invisible hurdles.
Anxiety, fear and discomfort are among the worries that everyone encounters in the course of their lives. But on the mat, during a BJJ training session, what is boiling inside a person comes out. Consequently, the numerous techniques of self-defense, as well as the patience involved, serve as valuable lessons for life’s obstacles. Martial artists automatically begin to apply the philosophy of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to everyday life. As the training helps to overcome difficulties that are part of life, they also serve as motivation for personal growth. Martial artists have conversations with their inner self as well as with their teacher.
The little-known connection between Jiu Jitsu and human instincts
Martial artists who practise jiu jitsu feel human instincts more intensely. This connection can also be explained using Maslow’s pyramid of needs. At the bottom of the pyramid is the urge for self-preservation. This is directly linked to self-defense. Men, women and children who train BJJ for a while reduce their fears of a physically superior attacker over time.
Nevertheless, martial artists who train BJJ combine self-confidence with modesty. They demonstrate exemplary strength without any weakness. In addition to physical self-confidence, the training also strengthens the intellectual side of martial artists. The proverb “The journey is the reward” serves as a guide to help achieve these goals.
Emotional and spiritual self-confidence also play an important role. Both the spiritual and the emotional side of a person are important aspects that promote self-confident behavior and appearance. Only those who have holistic self-confidence are able to walk through life with humility.
Modesty, in turn, promotes tolerance and goodwill. Is this always the case? This question can be answered in the negative. People who predominantly develop physical self-confidence but neglect the intellectual part are not in balance. However, spiritual and emotional self-confidence are extremely important, as they promote the balance between the different types of confidence in oneself. They must not be missing.
The 753 code is used in this context. It relates to the spiritual, emotional, mental and physical aspects. Furthermore, both martial artists and people who do not practise martial arts develop the ability to carry out regular self-reflection. This in turn promotes self-confidence.
Is BJJ training also suitable for children to boost their self-confidence?
The answer to this question is a resounding yes. However, parents are undecided about how often their children should go to BJJ training. Teachers recommend going to the training hall between two and four times a week. However, for children to internalize the philosophy of BJJ, work at home is also necessary. Parents who train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu themselves also serve as motivation. The greatest thing for children is to see their mother or father training. There are schools that offer effective parent-child BJJ training.
Selbstverständlich haben nicht alle Eltern die Möglichkeit, BJJ zu üben. Dennoch können sie ihre Kinder auf dieser spannenden Reise begleiten, indem sie unter anderem das Buch zum 753-Code lesen. Es ist wichtig, als emotionale Stütze der Kinder zu dienen. Deshalb sollten Mütter und Väter versuchen, die Philosophie des BJJ zu verstehen. Bei Unklarheiten lässt sich auch eine Sprechstunde mit einem Lehrer des Brazilian Jiu Jitsu vereinbaren. Auch eine Probestunde dient dazu, um Aufklärung zu schaffen.
Jiu Jitsu is a way of life
Compared to all the other sports, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a way of life. After all, life is a fight. Both life and death are two serious aspects. However, in order to fight or to avoid a fight, a good emotional, physical, mental and spiritual condition is necessary. Those who neglect these four areas can neither defend themselves nor survive dangerous situations. Emergencies and crises thus become almost insurmountable obstacles.
In everyday life, we all struggle in different situations – in a positive way. We fight to maintain a relationship, we fight at school or at work. BJJ is always present – in good times and bad. The martial art helps us to deal with crises in the best possible way.
