About the Book
Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly Bestseller
Overcome any obstacle life throws at you by thinking and responding like a world-class martial artist—without ever setting foot on the mat.
Jiu-jitsu is more than a martial art; it is a lifestyle that promotes health, confidence, self-determination, and balance. Famed jiu-jitsu instructor Rener Gracie, who has coached more than 350,000 students in 196 countries, presents the core teachings of jiu-jitsu and explains how they can apply to all of our daily lives, including:
The Pyramid Principle: the importance of investing in a strong foundation
The Acceptance Principle: recognizing when it’s better to yield than to resist
The Pivot Principle: the value of changing your perspective to increase your effectiveness
The Redirection Principle: using unfavorable circumstances to create favorable outcomes
Intended for both longtime fans and practitioners of jiu-jitsu as well as those completely unfamiliar with martial arts, The 32 Principles—and 32 companion videos on each principle’s physical application for self-defense from Rener himself—will help you take control of your personal and professional pursuits, supercharge your entrepreneurial spirit, and balance your relationships at work and at home.
Along with multi-award–winning author Paul Volponi, this book features contributions from more than 40 champion athletes, topflight coaches, and others who have benefited from the everyday life applications of these timeless jiu-jitsu principles.
About the Author :
Rener Gracie was born into the family that founded Brazilian jiu-jitsu and the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship). His jiu-jitsu journey began before he took his first steps, and he earned his black belt at nineteen. In 2009, with the help of his brother, Ryron Gracie, he broke the mold of traditional martial arts instruction by creating the first interactive online learning center for Brazilian jiu-jitsu, which today boasts over 350,000 students in 196 countries. Headquartered in southern California, Gracie University has over 200 certified training centers worldwide. Rener is also founder and CEO of several multimillion-dollar companies; has invented several products including Quikflip Apparel, the sweatshirt that converts into a backpack, and the Sleeper Hold, the world’s best travel pillow; and has appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank.
Paul Volponi is the award-winning author of 20 books including Phyllis George: Shattering the Ceiling (a nonfiction biography), and the novels The Final Four (on the NYC Chancellor’s reading list NYC Reads 365), Top Prospect (part of Scholastic’s nationwide book club), and Black and White (winner of the international Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award). Paul is the recipient of a dozen American Library Association honors.
Review :
"""I learned these 32 principles over decades of jiu-jitsu practice . . . Rener Gracie codifies them in a simple, clear, digestible way, making them accessible to any person in any situation, regardless of whether they are a black belt in jiu-jitsu or have never learned a martial art.""
—Jocko Willink, retired US Navy SEAL, #1 New York Times bestselling author, podcaster, and entrepreneur
""A must-read for anyone seeking to succeed in life . . . I love the analogies and practical advice this book has on how the principles of jiu-jitsu can be applied beyond the mat to achieve success in all aspects of life.""
—Cynthia Rothrock, five-time undefeated world champion martial artist, action star, and inductee in the Black Belt Hall of Fame
""Jiu-jitsu is a super power. Whether it's used to protect yourself and your family, or in your professional pursuits, it provides an incalculable advantage. Rener Gracie . . . brilliantly breaks down these universal problem-solving principles in real time for use in any environment.""
—Tim Kennedy, former UFC fighter, US Special Forces soldier, New York Times bestselling author, and entrepreneur
""By presenting the 32 principles in such a clear and easy-to-learn format, Rener Gracie extends the profound benefits of his family's fighting system far beyond the world of martial arts and into the realm of how to live a meaningful life.""
—Ed O'Neill, actor
""Paul Volponi and Rener Gracie do an outstanding job of making The 32 Principles a guide to daily living for everyone.""
—Wendy Behar, licensed master social worker and author of #YourRules. Your Life.
""I wish I had this book when I was playing professional baseball. It is filled with tons of wisdom, told in a simplistic way with engaging stories. It's a book that after you read it, you will go back to it again.""
—Ila Borders, pro-baseball pitcher and coauthor of Making My Pitch
""Rener Gracie is, without question, one of the most talented teachers I have ever met—on any topic. And jiu-jitsu is among the most useful and personally rewarding forms of knowledge our species has produced. The importance of this coincidence should be obvious: when the student is ready, the teacher appears.""
—Sam Harris, neuroscientist, New York Times bestselling author, host of the Making Sense podcast, and creator of the Waking Up app
""Rener Gracie and Paul Volponi make a great team in explaining the benefits of martial arts to non-martial artists. The 32 Principles is an easy read and full of great information.""
—Christine Bannon-Rodrigues, nine-time World Champion martial artist and Hollywood stuntwoman
""To watch a top-notch novelist like Paul Volponi weave a narrative through a nonfiction book such as The 32 Principles is a thing of pure beauty.""
—Lenny Shulman, Emmy Award–winning writer and author of Justify
""It's amazing how the principles of martial arts connect so directly to life, and Paul Volponi's writing here is simply superb.""
—William Moy, Ving Tsun kung fu grandmaster"
