Jiu–jitsu has been gaining traction in the main stream media yet it’s still often somewhat misinterpreted. Such was the case with the recent feature in hollywood reporter.

The article itself cites boxing and bjj are the “aggro” work outs taking over hollywood.

“I have never been so booked in my life. It’s crazy,” says Rigan Machado to THR, who along with partner Martin Wheeler runs The Academy gym in Beverly Hills, where a variety of martial arts are taught. Machado, who is regarded as one of the top competitors in jiu-jitsu history, has built a reputation as the discipline’s trainer to the stars. His clients include Ashton Kutcher, Charlie Hunnam and Joel Kinnaman.

They add that boxing and bjj seem to be the best ways to cope with stress:

“Hollywood is a very stressed-out community, and we like to get out our aggression,” says Ilaria Urbinati, No. 6 on THR‘s 2017 Power Stylists list, who has been working out daily at Hollywood’s Fortune Gym since she picked up boxing a year ago. Urbinati says she has turned a number of her clients — including Tom Hiddleston, James Marsden, Armie Hammer and Lizzy Caplan — on to the sport. “This is a very stressful time for sure,” she says, “and boxing is my therapy, 100 percent.”

Machado concurs: “The style of Brazilian jiu-jitsu gives these people an opportunity to train in a safe environment and to relax,” he says, adding that he and his partners are considering opening more locations in the coming years. “Learning how to punch,” notes Berg, “is incredibly relaxing and focusing. When someone is throwing a punch and trying to make contact with your face, you are very much in the moment.”

The article goes on to claim WME/IMG’s $4 billion acquisition of UFC in 2016 not only further legitimized that sport but also brought it into the Hollywood fold.

Some claim it’s all a part of the “Trump effect” – Anxiety and stress in the United States is indeed reaching record levels, according to the American Psychological Association.