While Gordon Ryan is often at the center of online controversy, Helena Crevar sees a very different side of him behind closed doors.

The multiple-time world champion is known as much for his dominant performances on the mat, as he is for his outspoken and often polarizing online persona.

From calling himself “the most decorated athlete in history” to making headlines with inflammatory takes, Gordon Ryan has built a reputation for being brash and confrontational.
But according to Crevar, one of his closest teammates at New Wave Jiu-Jitsu, the man behind the screen is far more grounded and generous than many might expect.

In a recent interview on the “Jits and Giggles” podcast, Crevar was asked about what Gordon Ryan is really like in the gym and among the team.
Her answer stood in stark contrast to his public image:

His personality is definitely, like, much different than what you see online.
He’s one of the nicest people that I know and he’s always down to help me or anything…

So yeah, he’s definitely one of the best people that I know and just an overall really nice person.

Crevar has trained alongside Ryan since late 2022, after she and her family made the decision to move from Las Vegas to Austin, Texas.

The move came after a chance encounter at the 2022 ADCC trials, where she attended one of Ryan’s seminars and later expressed interest in joining the New Wave team.
That conversation ultimately led to her immersion in the world-class training environment led by John Danaher.

At just 18 years old, Crevar recently celebrated a decade in the sport of Jiu-Jitsu.

As one of the top young grapplers in the world, she credits much of her development not just to the technical training at New Wave, but to the mentorship she’s received from both Danaher and Ryan – especially in areas off the mat:

I did ask advice whenever is needed from John and Gordon, because they do have a lot more experience.

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