Jiu-Jitsu: The Cure to Obesity

Al Diaz has battled obesity his entire life. After countless fad diets and failed fitness regimens, he had virtually given up when his brother convinced him to visit the Gracie Academy. Al began his jiu-jitsu journey weighing over 280 pounds, and within 9 months he has lost over 70 pounds. For the first time in his life, Al is no longer obese, and his doctor has taken him off his cholesterol medication. Al had the desire and the work ethic all along, the only thing missing was the jiu-jitsu lifestyle!
Watch Al's amazing transformation and then share this video with your friends and loved ones. For many viewers out there, hearing Al's story may very well be the motivation they need to embark on their own jiu-jitsu journey.
Find a Certified Training Center near you, or learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu from home and test for official belt promotions online! Registration is free and the first three lessons are unlocked for your instant viewing! www.GracieUniversity.com
Thanks again to Andy Productions for the audio and animation work!
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[@syro666]

I was 260 lbs and very depressed, I went and signed up for BJJ at my local Gracie gym, it helped me loose all the weight I built my confidence and made tons of friends. I now train 5 days per week and weight 180 lbs and have defeated my depression. I can't thank the Gracie's enough for changing my life. If it wasn't for BJJ I would be dead. Thank you for everything

[@chris7453]

is there a Gracie training gym in Central California?

[@GracieBreakdown]

If Al can do it, you can too! Thumbs up if you already live the jiu-jitsu lifestyle!

[@SamohtNox]

do you guys have people instructing in belgium, limburg province by any chance?

[@Steviebdotnet]

Very true, my journey is very similar! www.operationbeastmode.co.uk

[@danielwermelinger332]

i did also, i startet with around 300 lbs in May and now i'm 264 lbs. i started with more then 30% bodyfat and i'm now to around 20% bodyfat! :D

[@ashkatjak]

I need to do this once and for all!!!!

[@armanfathi4615]

Gotta sell the Diet just as hard as jiujitsu. But mission is legit, it's a free market economy; do what you do.

[@emobuddha]

I've lost 30lbs since starting Jiujitsu. I was weighing over 350 now at 320. It is the best cure for obesity for sure

[@necronorris]

+Jose Morales Right on, man. Keep it up!

[@chuckdamage]

are you still training?

[@SammyWinFL]

Jose Morales Keep up the great work bro! Fast forward to May 2018; Where are you at with your BJJ & weight management now?

[@josefrias188]

Dude I’m 350 6’1 I’ve always been wanting to do bjj I’m 23 I’ve always done sports so I always like 230-240 in high school cause I mostly played football. But I love how fun bjj looks but honestly scared and ashamed of how I let myself go.

[@Acjaxfla]

@@josefrias188 Just do it. Im 45 years old and just started. SEVERLY OUT OF SHAPE.Jiu jitsu guys are some of the coolest people you will ever meet. There are no ego's and no judgement. Just find the right school and you won't regret it.

[@lp2496]

I'm 42 years old, I started BJJ almost 3 months ago at 275 lbs, I'm down to 245 lbs. 30 lbs in just under 3 months and it's melting off. All glory to God!

[@Krissada1000]

All glory to you and bjj. God made big men and small men. Bjj makes men equal.

[@anas-anas-anas]

Bullets and BJJ did u do any diet as well ?? I wanna lose fat but joint BJJ, can u help me with any info u have , I am 15btw

[@bsharaboata7861]

@@anas-anas-anas join muay thai

[@jer48888]

Amen brother!

[@CzarTissue]

Rener, besides having amazing BJJ skills you have some pretty good marketing skills as well.

[@dannyworters8479]

Red belts in that shit

[@brownhornetseventhre]

So does McDonalds 😉

[@pierremrbazin]

This is exactly what happened for me. I started MMA training in August, along with following the Gracie Diet. I lost 45 pounds to date, and hit my target weight of 170 lbs. All the workouts in the world won't help you if you don't get your eating under control. Congrats on your success!

[@melony3566]

33 Year old, ex-wrestler, OVERWEIGHT, mother of two. Went to my 1st JJ class this week. It's been 12 years since I felt the mat under me... Here we go! =)

[@jamespigg8877]

Melony Rodriguez r u still going and are you fit

[@kestermyronsoldmcmanager1273]

Melony Rodriguez how did it go?

[@ib1ray]

same here, 39 yo ex wrestler and father of 3 and started BJJ last week. I had forgotten how good it feels to challenge yourself physically. BJJ is awesome though in the respect that you can go at your own pace. I love it so far! Wishing you a long journey

[@NuevoVR]

why would you wish him a long journey lol

[@ib1ray]

yung キアン life is a journey. Long journey = Long life? Maybe you could explain what you think i meant?

[@dreamsofelegance]

This has really put things in perspective for me. I'm extremely overweight and I have wanted to do something like this for forever, but I've always been hesitant to do so because, I guess, of embarrassment or whatever. Perhaps this week will be the week I walk into a training school and make jiu-jitsu my lifestyle. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for posting this. It definitely came at the right time for me.

[@robertfox05]

No perhapses - just go there and get on the mat. The rest will naturally follow :) (p.s. I dropped 30 lbs in 2 months)

[@buxadonoff]

Don't be shy, i've seen alot of overweighted girls doing Jiu Jitsu, there will be no judgement on you. Just go and took a free class and see if you like it. It might change your life. And if you don't like it, you'll loose nothing too.

[@dreamsofelegance]

Felipe Frota ***** Robert Markoš Thank you so much for the responses. They are super encouraging to me and you all are right. Monday, after my classes, I'll head down to the gym in my area and sign up for the free trial. :)

[@robertfox05]

dreamsofelegance Do let us know how it went! :) just a little tip: things you see might seem difficult or even impossible to do, but don't give up, it is incredible fun getting to know this art.

[@HerbChao14xs]

dreamsofelegance how'd it go? Don't worry it's fun!

[@JustPete781]

This guy killed it. With jujitsu and diet you can really accomplish big losses. I walked into my gym at 240 and it about 3months I'm 210 on a good day 214 in a bad. Still a lot more work to be done though. I'm only 5'7 so I'd like be down around 150-160. There's success stories left and right in my academy. One kid went from 215-149

[@andrewvigueria9061]

This is such a good story. Thank you. It has given me the confidence to start jui jitsu again! I have not been going to classes for over 3 years. Started gaining weight that I didn't want. Now me, nearly 200 pounds was considering joining again but was nervous because of my weight and poor physical health. Thank you for showing me it is possible. This video has possibly changed my life forever!

[@tanodatank]

ive started the jiu jitsu lifestyle and im loving it. it gives me the same rush as when i did highschool wrestling and its what i needed to get myself out of the rut ive been in. i love learning from youre website and also the school i found that has a great jiu jitsu program all the videos you guys make get me more motivated to keep going farther in jiu jitsu so thank you very much for all you guys do GracieBreakdown

[@aleeex54]

Al is not only my student but a very close friend of mine. I am very lucky to call him my broskie. I've seen his transformation on te mat and with his health. He is the poster child of self discipline and following what needs to be done and what he wants to accomplish. He will have an amazing jiujitsu career and of course lifestyle on and off the mat. Respect and love

[@gjlovesgjj]

Well done, I am a little disappointed that my arm bar wasn't shown in the clip. :) AMAAAAZING work. Both of you!

[@Trueger18]

Similar story for me. I weighed in at 310 pounds last summer, I was 17 I lost 60 through diet and exercise but I found it so hard to keep it off. I found MMa and particularly Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu and it's changed my life, physically and mentally. I'm at 212 as of yesterday and still going. Thank you Helio and all the Gracie family.

[@diazap88]

Been two years and I still watch it from time to time for motivation.

[@FergusScotchman]

This is almost exactly the same story as mine! I'm early forties, and jj has given me weight loss, stress relief, and I feel younger. Great clip.

[@TheCrappy182punker]

I have always been big I. Middle school I was 180, high school 235, college 282 and work 360. I got a concession and went to the hospital to find out I was having heart problems, liver and they were saying I can become diabetic. So I got depressed felt like this it I'm done. My friend moved back and we started watching BJJ videos. He showed me this and I was like I'm lose cause. Then a fellow teacher asked me to help with a wrestling team and he said you can lose the weight. I went, and the coach is a BJJ guy. I started to talk to him about it and if I can do it. I got a gi (come on we need some bigger gis) I started at a BJJ club once a week after a while I wanted more and more and more. I started running for fun exercising and stretching daily. Watching none stop Gracie videos. Stoped drinking alcohol and cut back on soda. Started eating fruit and not candy and kept craving bjj. I lost 35lbs in 4 months found a gym where the conchs are supporting me and helping me through my asthma. I know do BJJ 2-3 times a week, went back to my karate studio (grew up there as a kid kept me off the streets loyal and need to give back) 2 week, gym 2 week and meet with a friend and run 2 miles every Saturday. And I'm enjoying my life now. No longer depressed, no longer feeling like loser. I'm more confident and happy!!! Thank you for the inspiration. I re-ran into this video and watched it agin. I will admit it brought tears to me because I felt like a lose cause and now I'm living my new life. The jiuJitsu life.

[@Kiras1990]

Watched this video, went to my first Bjj class and fell in love with bjj. Wish me luck !

[@robertfennis6088]

How you doin?

[@tobiaskareem8987]

Amazing,I wanna try Bjj

[@GentLee84]

Since training in bjj, I've gone from 82kg down to 74kg. I never did much cardio. I was strong (I weight train) but wasn't fit. Oh boy did my fitness improve. Weight dropped off me. Never thought I'd enjoy it as much as I did. I was hooked on my first lesson. I only went along to give my friend support, so he wasn't going alone. He stopped going and I carried on lol always look forward to my next lesson 😊

[@bbrandyberry]

So inspirational. Thanks for sharing!

[@rfrancoi]

WOW... That's pretty amazing. Thank you for sharing that with us.

[@michellemulnix3711]

Inspirational!!! Gratitude to you Mr. Diaz.

[@darrylgreer68]

How true this is,I for one have lost 5 stone due to sort of a nervous condition,I found jujitsu and went from 16stone to 11.5 stones #JuJitsuLife!🙌🏻

[@MrBooboothebear]

Although it wasn't with the Gracies (sadly, no gracie training is available near me), I too lost over sixty pounds once I started practicing Jiu jitsu and it changed my life. I have energy, confidence, and self esteem again! It's an amazing, liberating feeling, and if you're thinking about trying jiu jitsu to get in shape - stop thinking about it and go do it!

[@robertcooke3406]

Al is a great friend and an inspiration!

[@gregstokes7117]

Great job bro ! Love it. Oss.

[@onyxavatar]

Very inspiring video. Thank you for sharing.

[@NabilAbdulrashidComedy]

No bjj schools near me so I've been doing catchwrestling and Mma grappling.. It's really having a good effect

[@cyborgdragon1984]

Went to first one last Thursday, in Mossley UK. Was awesome and love it. Leant standing guillotine in minutes of being there, (and the pain of it lol) now cant stop watching these videos, even at wrk just put headphones on and listen whilst talking to customers on chat

[@GuitarRJP]

I started BJJ in February at age 58, with my wife (59) I have lost 20 pounds, she has lost 10 pounds, and we feel great - lots more energy!

[@davel8033]

I'm down 22 lbs to 232 since I started 3 months ago. LFG!

[@dougieladd]

Well done on the weight loss Al! I just had my first lesson in BJJ with CVA Jiu-Jitsu in Edinburgh, Scotland... I think I may have found something I can do. I'm 52, totally unfit, I don't do any sports (I'm not THAT guy) but I'm making a point of being able to do this properly and so far I like it (even if I can't move my neck at the moment :) Interesting you said "Chess" I said that to my instructor today... seems to fit the art.

[@BigBrandonMarcel]

What I heard was he found something he liked got passionate about it and then dove more into it finding more benefits from his passion. He got educated using the GDB as well as GJJ. He is giving HIS testimony. Urs may be diffrent but his is in part to his work & THE GRACIE FAMILY.......

[@jcarey17]

Truely inspirational!

[@chvyguy21]

Awesome story bro.

[@csausonhaman4421]

Started BJJ at a Gracie University school about three months ago. I was unmotivated, fat, depressed, and I had horrible social skills. Jiujitsu has helped me with my life in every way imaginable, I’ve lost 60 pounds and am losing more everyday, I feel a surge of confidence and have been improving myself everyday. I’ve become kinder, sharper, more amicable and have gained a support group in my fellow gym members and fighters. Thank you Ryron and Rener, when you guys see my coach; tell him that he’s made my life a better one.

[@IndraAziz]

I love this! Inspiring. Thank you Al Diaz for sharing, thank you GracieBreakdown for this video. Just ignore the negative comments, be positive!

[@zxkjr]

jiu jitsu is a way of life- it's the biggest tool for self development ever invented.

[@darthwolfX2]

This is awesome

[@celasss]

Same here, started practicing GJJ and intermittent fasting at the same time, lost 35lbs in 2 months. It works!

[@markusramone8660]

My 2nd Week full power.... PURE Motivation

[@getnkd6602]

very inspirational! :')

[@pocketmonack]

Gabriel Gonzalez used to be huge! good job my man

[@Liammillard_94]

Truly inspiring

[@danc8525]

I needed to watch this video! I recently signed up my 5 year old daughter for MMA. Which has really motivated me to also want to train. I'm 44 years old, 6'4" 320, and I've always battled weight since the end of my college football days. I'm excited to start and learn, but a bit nervous at the same time. I was close to 400lbs at one point, and in the past 1.5 years I've got down to that 320 mark. Being more active, and going to a KETO/Low Carb lifestyle change. With a left shoulder injury, w/ two should surgeries and knee arthritis from the years of football. My goal is to get down to 220, and learn combative Gracie BJJ. I want to be an example to my daughter, and train with her. How about Gi's? I need a big boy one, :) Any advice for a Big Guy beginner like me who wants to start this journey at 44? I'm competitive by nature, coming from years of football and baseball. But this right here is a whole new world! :D

[@user-ee9pu8jt4b]

Love it so inspiring

[@123malcolm1]

This is awesome it makes me so happy. I do bjj and I used to way 296 now I weight 240 and I'm a blue belt now. Jiu jitsu works as long as you work at it.

[@r.d.6565]

Kudos.

[@JeffreyDavisChristianAuthor]

300 lbs. And 42 years of age when I started Judo. That was August of last year. I'm down twenty pounds and doing things I never thought I could.

[@FatNinjaWex1]

i'm an overweight martial artist, i train muay thai and american kenpo, i cant wait to start my gracie jj training, the closest school is 2 hours away, gonna make the drive every class lol

[@gjlovesgjj]

Job well done Al and Alex. A healthy body is a healthy mind and soul :)

[@Mase0ne]

This has inspired me beyond measure. Signing up tomorrow...

[@xclavo3]

Mase379 how'd it go?

[@scott9918]

45 years old, and about 270. Been doing GJJ for month and half and not losing weight. Hope the weight loss starts soon.

[@Oc2013]

Nice!

[@GodspeedZX6]

I was in the same situation as the gentleman in the video. I've just started to train again and I've never felt better. I've even started a blog to document my journey. Gracie Jiujitsu - saving lives on and off the mat.

[@matthewguariglia9938]

Got my very first class soon and super nervous. Being a heavier guy at 21 anyone else have any advice or tips?

[@BadBrad119]

I hate seeing people talk about working out like it's a time of the day you need to forget about, and it always needs to be exhausting... To be honest, the reason why BJJ and Muay Thai end up being great workouts, are because training and learning new things are so fun to me. People should pick a sport they like and will enjoy, and go with it. Sports are meant to be fun and recreational, not tedious and boring

[@Lorkisen]

Not sure if this is the right place to ask, But how do you keep exercising studying, etc when you're depressed or numb. I am suffering from Bipolar disorder and so I get a few weeks or so when I'm good, I work, study, exercise and its really rewarding, but when I'm low, like now I "feel nothing" :/ Reading and exercising is fine while I'm doing it, but the second I stop I'm down to nothing, and its really hard getting motivated to do anything :( Any advice? I'm working with a shrink and we're trying to narrow down something that works, but in the meantime, Life really sucks

[@Lorkisen]

I've tried reasoning with myself, that seeing as I dont feel anything, I might as well, study and exercise, since it doesnt matter either way. But in addition to losing motivation to do stuff, seeing as theres no emotional reward, this emotional state also makes it hard even "painful" to be around other people. I have to fake feelings for the benefit of others and its really draining. Sorry for wining, but maybe someone here has some experience with this and has some advice

[@Lorkisen]

***** Thanks, I tried jiu jitsu for a few weeks, it was a lot of fun and it did alleviate my social anxiety which before then had been so strong that I could barely get out of the house and into class. But I had a crash due to stress and I havent been able to get back since. Partly out of shame, because of the assumtions everyone makes about my absence and now partly because I have a difficult time enough getting to school and work. Some is due to medical conditions and should be resolved by christmas, but others are merely psychological and in someways harder to deal with

[@MikeDunn]

***** Great advice!

[@kingkongtiger]

Only you can help urself, try to remember the good times when u feel down may be?

[@IndicaDreaming]

I don't have a cure but I have had similar issues myself. One thing you could do is make sure you are eating exceptionally well, that will help with your energy levels. And if you say doing BJJ lessons made you feel better but you've since stopped then I think you absolutely have to go back, it'll be hard to take that step again but you did it before, there's no reason to believe that going back to BJJ will be a negative experience. Negativity is not part of the BJJ philosophy and so i'm sure you can go back and if anyone asks you simply tell them you had some other things getting in your road, it's not of their business if you don't want to make it their business.

[@Nikolas100o10oao]

Mr. Gracie what is your thoughts on japanese jujutsu or judo?

[@MenziFanclub]

music levels were a little to noisey, i couldnt make out a couple parts but great video.

[@globalplastering6343]

if he has only been training for 9 months how the fuck has he got a blue belt

[@randyvillegas3607]

global plastering went every day of the week plus seminars. My guess, I've seen a guy do it in a year going 3 days a,week for a year

[@brainbombify]

I am stan from So Del Jui Jitsu ..Lewes Delaware

[@michaelpetale6872]

Wow bro!👍🏻👍🏻😉🏆

[@JeeniusGaming]

Amazing story! But did I get that right, he is 12 years into BJJ and he is a purple belt with no stripes? That demotivates me somehow to start my journey...

[@djbookie909]

Where do I sign up

[@victorlee8418]

Was 217lb but after 2 months of BJJ And Healthy eating I'm down to 170! I lost 40+ LBS

[@tim707max]

Victor Lee holy crap good job!!

[@victorlee8418]

dominik cruz will dethrone conor haha thanks 🙏

[@chukov08]

I was 122kg when i started training BJJ. Now, after 8 months, I'm at 93kg. Jiu jitsu changed my life completly and probably saved it too.

[@NuevoVR]

im starting next week at 158lbs

[@viniciuslourenco9734]

Você tem quanto de alturas Lucas?

[@lucasortiz5924]

5:42 the dudes rolling with an NFL linebacker Tamba Hali

[@mpforeverunlimited]

For these people commenting how much weight they lost, how many days a week do you do it?

[@jubueno4034]

Demaaaaaaaaais!!!!!

[@minad.7428]

Just started BJJ 8 weeks ago at 160 pounds and just 6 week later I was at 150 pounds, which was amazing on top of that it made me so much more confident and happy. Than went on spring break and gained about 7 pounds back (which sucked) but am working to lose it back wish me luck. Ps. I'm a girl so my weight always gets wonky

[@kpopdailyteakdt2917]

Mina D. Omg girly... I went from 182down to 165 and I want to lose mroe so I think this will help

[@erickr.7041]

Where's the academy of Rener Gracie?

[@tiagotre1]

Well , i am on a diet with a low cost jiu-jitsu gi (kimono) training with gracie barra from carlos gracie junior here in portugal and i was 130KG and 3 months after 100, 60 pounds in 3 months

[@robertfennis6088]

I always tell this to people. Who will enjoy themselves with working out at the gym? Only a hand full. Jiu-Jitsu is the greatest workout. Any form, even Judo.

[@gsx1138]

I'm 265lbs right now. I'm currently fixing up my garage to make it a gym. Already enrolled in Gracy University so I'm hoping the side benefit is losing weight.

[@PanBialasPL]

Good luck! :)

[@triswong3864]

do any of you think bjj sparring is the best calorie and fat burning exercise ever due to its high intensity?

[@retiredgoon512]

He looks like Gabriel Gonzaga!!

[@puschmannn]

5:31 Here he looks like Jean Jacques Machado hihi :) Greetings from Austria!

[@TankUSA]

I wonder how much weight he has no lost. I myself have just signed up to my local martial arts gym. Haven’t sweat as much as I did in my first couple classes for a very long time. I weigh 360 lb’s.

[@renatodumaresq]

Very very nice! I´m having something very near from this. I´m a devoted cyclist. But there is one factor in BJJ lifestyle that I know and follow and I never hear from you guys: Neve drink alcohol! That is a lesson that is changing my life to.

[@HerbChao14xs]

u can drink, but need to pace urself (esp if u're training for a tourney or test)

[@brainbombify]

sir I would like to confirm that Jiu-Jitsu is a gift from God for all purposes of life I went from 286 and I am now at 2:12 and still dropping fast all in 4 months time yes thank you Gracie

[@diabolored]

That Rener guy could sell us Gracie Jiu-Jitsu as a cure for cancer that we'll buy it without even questioning ourselves lol

[@IrieEyedJedi619]

Jiu-Jitsu IS life. Ossssssssssssss!

[@8dukesbats4]

beautiful

[@TrishCanyon8]

"Living the jiu-jitsu lifestyle "

[@itscork]

I fixed a peanut butter and banana sandwich as I watched this. Damn...

[@peralez2383]

Hespect

[@manutahi1]

my dream to live the jiujitsu lifestyle !!!!

[@snazdogdbfan251]

How’s it going bro

[@brainbombify]

"THE TRUTH IS SELF EVIDENT"

[@clayvision]

Ive lost a good 30 pounds myself since picking up jiu jitsu 3 months ago

[@sinner966]

Thats awesome, i just signed up my 4 sons, myself and my wife to a bjj school. We start on the 1st. I wanted the kids to build confidence and not be scared of being a victim. My wife and I have been putting off a gym membership because well... We have 4 kids and both have full time jobs. Thankfully a school opened up no more than 5 mins away at a cost to good to be true for a family of 6 sooo... Wish us luck. Lol and congrats to you.

[@stealthgamer474]

How’d it go?

[@sinner966]

@@stealthgamer474 loved it and went 4 times a week. It really humbles you as a person. It puts things into perspective and it makes you think twice before looking down on those nerdy kids that could probably wreck you all day long LOL unfortunately when covid came the gym shut down and when it started back up they moved to a separate location that was further out but I've been looking for schools closer to me

[@stealthgamer474]

@@sinner966 oh sorry to hear. I went to bjj and karate for a few months but i broke my finger at bjj. I’m looking to go back once healed. Hope u find the school you need.

[@sinner966]

@@stealthgamer474 yes sir, definitely looking forward to getting back into it. I did have a couple injuries as well and that always sucks when you have to take some time off from jits

[@stealthgamer474]

@@sinner966 it really does suck. Bjj and karate were my only hobbies. Do you have any begginer tips?

[@joejazz67]

Wow, great story I always wanted to do bjj the same size as al when he started have to look into it

[@stugats77]

this guy is the next ufc champ!

[@cassie4824]

Wish you guys had a school in WV

[@SkemeKOS]

RONDA ROUSEY BREAKDOWN PLEASE!

[@jorged.alvarado6170]

Oh my god your with Ronda on UFC 168

[@jaymepereiranunes]

sergio farnes disagrees on this topic. l

[@zachary666655]

Bellator break down please

[@barlorox]

I have gone from 112 to 100 kg in 8month all thanks to jiu jitsu

[@rafbedon6122]

Not a jiu jitsu guy but a wrestler and Muay Thai fighter

[@recongeldof9926]

I am thinking of starting this sport for the sake of my health. Left the Army at 220lbs and now at 270lbs and fat.

[@thundernight333]

go for it dude lost 30 pounds feel great

[@3waver]

Go for it and don't look back. It's a challenge at first, but stick with it and you will be addicted for life. Best decision that I ever made, made some great friends and challenged myself.