SHAWN WILLIAMS JIU JITSU LLC
FRANKLIN, TN

Reila Gracie, mother of Roger Gracie and author of ‘Carlos Gracie, The Creator of a Fighting Dynasty’. “The Gracie Family has an immeasurable importance in Brazilian sports culture. I am not aware of any other family in the world that has been able to maintain a professional tradition in sports or martial arts for nearly a century, reaching four generations... And the creator of this dynasty of fighters is Carlos Gracie, my father’ Reila was key in the development of this film project. The access she gave the production to her knowledge and archive proved invaluable. Renzo Gracie, grandson to Carlos Gracie and cousin to Roger, Renzo is 2 x ADCC Champion. Renzo’s name is synonymous with Vale-Tudo, the ‘No Holds Barred’ style of fighting in Brazil that is the origin of today’s global phenomenon of Mixed Martial Arts (MMA). He has fought all over the world for such organisations as Pride FC and UFC. He pioneered Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in America when he founded The Renzo Gracie Academy in New York in the 1990s. Renzo is coach and mentor to Matt Sera, a former UFC Champion, John Danaher, the Jiu Jitsu coach to UFC champions Georges St Pierre and Chris Weidman, Shawn Williams and Ricardo Almeida to black belt and of course Roger Gracie 10 x Jiu Jitsu World Champion. Renzo is a great example of what a martial artist can be. Armed with total belief in the system he and his family evolved and gave to the world. During the course of the Tradition documentary project Renzo made time for the project and opened his mats to the intrusion of cameras. His generosity of spirit and those of all the Gracie family members who contributed made this twelve year in the making documentary something unique to make and perhaps to watch. NEED HELP? Our mission is to improve your BJJ, putting you in contact with the greatest champions. Through an exclusive platform, you will have a unique experience, being able to see the training routines in practice and delving deep into the philosophy, concepts, fundamentals and positions of the gentle art. As well as learning in practice from masters and idols of BJJ, they also tell you about their lives, matches, training -- always enveloped in the universe of martial arts