Today we’d like to introduce you to Leonardo Xavier.
Professor Leonardo Xavier is a Brazilian-born American martial artist and a fourth-degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Professor Xavier was first exposed to martial arts at the young age of five, but his life changed forever when a good friend invited him to join a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu class when he was 15 years old. Professor Xavier enrolled in the school the next day, falling completely in love with every aspect of the sport and the martial spirit behind the teachings of the Gracie Family. From that day forward he dedicated his life to learning, competing, and teaching the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.
Professor Xavier began his journey at the birthplace of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, the Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu directed by the founder of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, the world renowned Helio Gracie. From the beginning of Professor Xavier’s journey in the art, he showed great promise as a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu practitioner. His dedicated work ethic, natural skill, and indomitable fighting spirit caught the attention of his instructors as well as his natural gift of teaching. He was trusted to be an instructor at the Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu, one of the first outside of the Gracie family to be bestowed with this honor. While being groomed and mentored as an instruction, Professor Xavier also became a world class competitor receiving the honors of a multiple time world champion and national medalist in competitions throughout the world.
Professor Xavier was invited to the United States for a series of seminars across several states by a spectator who watched his performance at the 1999 Mundials (World Championship). The spectator soon became a regular student and Professor Xavier eventually transitioned from being a guest-instructor to being permanently based in the United States. During his time traveling for seminars, Professor Xavier had the opportunity to visit many places. One of the places visited included Sugar Land, TX, where he was drawn by the family-friendly environment and active, healthy lifestyle of the area. In 2003, he opened the first and only authentic, certified Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academy in the Houston area.
Has it been a smooth road?
During his time of leaving his home country of Brazil, Professor Xavier had many challenges to overcome while becoming a residence of the United States. With only $20 in his pocket, Professor Xavier left his home in Rio with only $20 in his pocket and a dream to establish Gracie Jiu-Jitsu throughout the communities he visited. While faced with many challenges to overcome such as the differences in lifestyle, a language barrier and leaving his family and friends in Rio, Professor Xavier knew these challenges were minimal compared to his dream of sharing his knowledge with the community.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with LX Jiu-Jitsu & Self-Defense – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Leonardo Xavier is a fourth-degree black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with over 20 years of experience teaching jiu-jitsu.He is the only jiu-jitsu professor in the Houston area certified to teach by the legendary Master Rickson Gracie and by the original and most traditional jiu-jitsu school in the world, the Academia Gracie de Jiu-Jitsu in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Recognized as a world-class authority of the art and one of its most charismatic professors, few people can match his deep technical knowledge and his passion for teaching. His mission is to continue the legacy of his instructors by preserving and sharing the principles of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu with the community as a complete self-defense system that can benefit anyone regardless of age, gender or athletic ability.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The diversity and family environment the community offers.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3322 Hwy 6, Sugar Land, TX 77478
- Website: www.lxbjj.com
- Phone: 888-592-5501
- Email: contact@leonardoxavier.com
- Instagram: leoxavier_jj
- Facebook: @LXJiuJitsu
- Twitter: @LXbjj
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