Kyra Gracie reflected on the challenges she faced growing up in the famous Gracie family, revealing that she had to fight for the right to even train BJJ.
Despite eventually becoming a three-time ADCC champion and five-time IBJJF world champion, Gracie said women were not encouraged to pursue martial arts in her family.
Here is what she had to say:
I had to fight to be able to fight, because when I decided to become a fighter, my family said: “Kyra, forget about it, women aren’t supposed to do this, go do something else. We’ll protect you.”
Growing up around figures like Renzo Gracie, Ryan Gracie, and Ralph Gracie, Gracie explained that the family culture revolved heavily around champions and fighting success:
The best spot on the couch back home was for the champion. Who chose the food? The champion.
If there was any debate in the family about anything, the champion had the final word.I said: “Well, I guess I’ll have to become a champion to have a voice here too. I’ll follow these footsteps.”
That environment motivated her to pursue competition at a young age:
Winning made me really happy.
I was a very shy girl, and that was when this feeling flourished inside of me. “I can do it too”, you know?
Gracie also revealed that even her mother was forced to stop training:
There was a point where my mother had to quit doing jiu-jitsu. She got to blue belt and then had to stop.
She was prohibited from training by my uncles because that wasn’t the ideal path for a woman.
Although Gracie said the sport was “very sexist,” she used those experiences as motivation throughout her career:
[While it] demotivates you, I started using it as fuel.
I’ll prove them wrong.
View this post on Instagram
Sloth Jiu-Jitsu: The Ultimate Guide for Calmly Beating Bigger, Younger Opponents
💥 What if slowing down was the fastest way to win?
💭 Tired of Getting Smashed by Younger, Stronger Grapplers?
It’s not your age. It’s your strategy.
If you’re a passionate grappler over 35 who’s sick of getting outpaced, outmuscled, or out-cardio’d by opponents half your age — this 120 page e-book was made for you.
🔓 Unlock the Power of Sloth Jiu-Jitsu:
Build Sustainable Strength—Without Wrecking Your Joints, Energy, or Jiu-Jitsu
Tired of waking up sore and burnt out after lifting? Sloth Strength is a proven blueprint for grapplers over 35 who want to get stronger—without the pain, burnout, or injuries.
Developed from 25 years on the mats, this no-burnout approach is made specifically for BJJ athletes in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.
