Julio Garcia is a world class Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) coach. A former athlete himself, he grew up in Brazil learning the ins and outs of the beautiful martial art. Thanks to his incredible ability and teaching credentials Garcia has been able to travel the world. Most notably training police officers in the UAE he has had a unique journey internationally. Today, he gives us his unique perspective on the world and the world of BJJ.
What was it like living in the UAE?
Julio Garcia: It was a very positive experience! I was able to not only learn about the country but also the local culture. They were very receptive to Jiu Jitsu, and they incorporate it into the early stages of both school and the military. While I was there I had the opportunity to work at the Sharjah self defense club, and during my time with them we competed at the highest levels. Achieving nation and international recognition through our competitions was a particular highlight. I was also able to work with the Sharjah police officers’ school which was a rewarding experience.
Can you talk about the movement to teach the military better hand-to-hand combat and why this is important?
The importance of Jiu Jitsu in the military goes beyond hand to hand combat. It is a way to help students learn resilience and teamwork, two fundamentals of the armed forces. But it is more than just that, it offers those who practice self-confidence, stress and anxiety management and problem solving skills, which all help in high stress situations.
Which countries have you lived in?
I have been lucky enough to live in 3 different countries on 3 different continents! Brazil, my home country, the United Arab Emirates and the United States, all incredible countries that have a lot to offer.
Which was your favorite and why?
While all of the places are incredible to live in with your family, Brazil is my home country and I love it more than anything. Despite all the adversity that the country has faced it is a beautiful country with so many positives and it will always be my favorite.
Is there a country that you are dying to visit?
Yes of course! I love to cook and I especially like the confectionery arts so I would love to visit France for its incredible cuisine and delicious desserts.
What are the differences between police training in the USA and the United Arab Emirates?
In the United Arab Emirates they have a Jiu Jitsu structure in place that ranges from elementary school all the way to the armed forces and police. It teaches people how to defend themselves properly in a country where the general public doesn’t have access to weapons. There is a law in place that you can only become an officer with proper training and degree. I think that this helps to keep the crime rate so low, and there is a high level of respect for the special forces who are the only ones with access to weapons.
In the United States, often self defense is taught with weapons involved, whether it is a gun, knife, baton or anything else. It definitely is important to know Jiu Jitsu in both countries to help control the situation, but it is even more important to always be prepared. If you keep up and practice, practice, practice then you will be in a better mindset in case anything does happen.
Do you see areas for improving police training in the United States and how would you implement these changes?
This is actually already happening in some cities which I think is a step in the right direction. Through partnerships with local gyms officers are getting the chance to train in BJJ which can only help them further in their jobs. I think just the access to either watching BJJ or practicing it has raised the awareness about how efficient and important it can be to help with self defense and preparation.
How has the art of BJJ grown around the world and have you noticed a change in your own gyms?
The growth of BJJ has been increasing continuously. Now there are IBJJF (International BJJ Federation) championships practically all over the world. It is becoming more and more popular each year and the big fight sports federations have only helped. UFC and ONE FC have helped make BJJ a household name and you can see this in the gyms. There are gyms everywhere and there are now more coaches and trainers employed than ever before. The more it continues to grow the better the evolution will be, but it will also continue to open up doors of opportunity to people.
Leave a Reply