testimonails
Nothing speaks louder than the voices of the families we’ve had the privilege to serve.
At Gracie Brandon, our greatest reward comes from seeing the positive impact we make in the lives of children and parents alike.
The heartfelt words shared below reflect the experiences of those who have been part of our community, highlighting the connections, growth, and joy that define what we do. These testimonials from both parents and kids showcase why Gracie Brandon holds such a special place in so many hearts.
A Mom’s Pride: Andy’s Story of Increased Confidence and Focus
We had the privilege of speaking with Andy, whose son has been training at Gracie for approximately two years. Andy enthusiastically shared the profound positive changes she has observed in his son. He highlighted significant improvements in her son’s self-esteem and overall confidence, particularly in how he interacts with his friends, who are also part of the Gracie community. Andy noted that her son has developed better focus and discipline since joining Gracie. She also proudly mentioned her son’s success in multiple competitions, attributing it to the encouragement and support from the coaches. For Andy, the impact of Gracie Brandon is clear: a happier and more confident child.
BJJ For Any Ages Group
Another student enjoys that they “get to wrestle and we get on positions and submissions”
The Brandon Family Tradition: Alan on Safety, Self-Defense, and Community
Alan, a parent of three children who have been training at Gracie Brandon since 2018, offered his perspective on the academy’s value. All three of his children started at the young age of four, demonstrating the program’s suitability for even young learners. A key aspect Alan appreciates is the great instruction provided, with dedicated instructors ensuring the children are safe while learning crucial self-defense skills. Alan believes these skills will instill confidence and help his children stay out of trouble as they grow. The longevity of his family’s involvement speaks volumes about their positive experience at Gracie Brandon.
Learning Cool Moves and Getting Stronger
At Gracie Brandon, the kids are not just learning any moves – they’re learning jiu-jitsu! Cruz, who has been training for about two years, loves how he gets to “learn new moves and show go out and I get to use them in competitions”
Discipline and Growth: Jerry Shares Logan’s Journey at Gracie
Jerry Whited, father of Logan, shared their positive experience of being part of the Gracie Brandon community for around two years. For Jerry, a significant benefit of the program is the development of discipline in his son. He has observed how the training helps Logan navigate tough and adverse situations, positively impacting him both inside and outside the classroom. Jerry expressed his appreciation for the coaches and the overall program at Gracie Brandon.
The Next “Mikey Musumeci”?
It’s not just about fun moves though. One young jiu-jitsu enthusiast explains that they learn “other stuff that help you a lot that if you’re in danger you can use that to a person that so you’re not scared of anything and you’re just really brave”. He also shared some cool jiu-jitsu terms like “takedown” which gives you points in tournaments, and positions like “mount”, “side control”, and “Knee On Belly (or at Gracie we like to call it “neon belly”) . He even said he know’s about the “backpack” position and submissions like the “paintbrush”, “triangle”, “armbar”, and “kimura”
A Dad’s Inspiration: Witnessing Resilience and Lifelong Skills with Her Daughter
A proud dad whose daughter trains at Gracie Brandon shared her inspirational experience. He finds it deeply rewarding to watch his child learn and grow through the program. Beyond the physical techniques of jiu-jitsu, he emphasizes the development of resilience and self-defense skills. This father believes that the skills learned at Gracie Brandon are lifelong assets. He confidently tells other parents that just two years of jiu-jitsu can be transformative, providing children with something valuable that will stay with them forever. He also commended the coaches and staff at Gracie Brandon as phenomenal.
Teens Love Gracie Brandon
Jaden Felder, who has been coming to Gracie Brandon for over a year, highlights that “it helps you progress very fast” The coaches are great, you can come five days a week.Jaden also mentioned that “Coach Richard, helps you get started when you’re a white belt. Coach Ian helps you progress further so you can accomplish way more for yourself. Become the better version of yourself”
Feeling Like Family: The Welcoming Atmosphere at Gracie Brandon
We met Jayden on our blog post about “Why Kids Love Gracie Brandon”, now meet his mom who highlighted the strong family-oriented atmosphere at Gracie Brandon. Upon entering, the environment is described as welcoming and supportive, where everyone is nice and willing to help, particularly for newcomers with no prior experience. This parent emphasized that the family feel is their number one reason for loving Gracie Brandon. They also shared that their son, Jaden, finds his coach to be very patient, taking the time to explain details thoroughly without getting frustrated, ensuring he grasps the concepts.
Making Friends on the Mat
Training at Gracie Brandon isn’t just about learning moves; it’s also about making friends! Arya has made “lots of friends and nice partners that I can go with” . She explains that she’s “met all my friends here because I’ve started when I was so young and I know like I’ve known a lot of my friends for like like a couple years”. The secret to making these friendships? “Because we’ve been partnered together and we just talk and then we become friends”