Breathe

A Life in Flow

By: Rickson Gracie, Jocko Willink

Narrated by: Fred Sanders

Length: 6 hrs and 33 mins

Publisher's summary

From legendary Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA master Rickson Gracie comes a riveting, insightful memoir that weaves together the story of Gracie’s stunning career with the larger history of the Gracie family dynasty, showing how the connection between mind and body can be harnessed for success both inside and outside the ring.

Undefeated from the late 1970s through his final fight in the Tokyo Dome in 2000, Rickson Gracie amassed hundreds of victories in the street, on the mat, at the beach and in the ring. He has joined the pantheon that includes Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris and Jackie Chan as one of the most famous martial artists of the 20th century. Jiu-Jitsu, the fighting style developed and pioneered by his family, has become one of the world’s most prominent martial arts, and Vale Tudo, the 'anything goes' style of Brazilian street fighting over which the Gracies had a monopoly, was an early precursor to the Ultimate Fighting Championship. Simply put, without the Gracie family, there would be no sport of ‘MMA’, no four-billion-dollar UFC empire and no ‘Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’ at strip malls all across America.

In Breathe, for the first time, Rickson shares the full story of how his father and uncles came to develop Jiu-Jitsu, what it was like to grow up among several generations of world-renowned fighters from the Gracie clan, and the principles and skills that guided him to his undefeated record. From learning to assert himself on the streets of Rio to gaining fame and honour in Japan and emerging through heartbreaking tragedy, the martial arts master shares tales of overcoming challenges, extolling universal virtues and showing listeners how pride and ego are the enemies of success.

With profound insights into the sport and way of life that only a studied legend can provide, Breathe is an entertaining and magnified view of an enduring legacy as well as an inspiring tale of weathering life’s complexities and overcoming them with style and grace.

©2021 Rickson Gracie, Jacko Willink (P)2021 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Wow! Extraordinary human with a great story.

As a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner and someone that's into breathwork I could relate to a lot. If you want to make this story even better watch the Matches and watch the documentary choke as you read the book and it comes to the events mentioned in the book. Much love for the Gracie family. Oss

Inspirational

Enjoyed this from start to finish. So many great lessons taken away for myself and my son who is just starting his jiu jitsu journey

Awesome 👌

A great book about the history of jiu-jitsu and its foundations through Ricksons eyes and journey.

One of the Best Books by the Best Fighter ever

It's amazing how Rickson opened his heart and talked about very personal matters in this book. The lessons you get from his wisdom are priceless. You don't need to be a Jiu-Jitsu fighter to get important lessons from this book. In the end, in our work, in our family, we are always fighting and if you see yourself as a fighter in life, you definitely can learn a lot from the best fighter in the world.

Enjoyable

Nice bio. Great insight into history of Gracie Jui Jitsu. Finished it in one go.

The importance of breathing and helpful values

How can a life subjectively liked or disliked? I am not into marshal arts and the grabbling and locks applied by two sweaty half naked man trying to dominate each other didn't appeal much to me.

Still valuable life lessons packed in-between many lines, glad I was able to have a glimpse in the life of a legend in a popular field

Fantastic

Great listen. Awesome insight into the origins of jiu-jitsu and how the art evolved.

Fighter's basics

Sharing wisdom gained in more fights than probably anyone alive had gone through.
You will learn who and how influenced this warrior and learn about his motivations as well as deep connections of BJJ to historical figures

Excellent!

Rickson Gracie is a real-life super hero, a genuine martial artist and a modern Samurai. This book is a gift.