Colorado Fight Source: Amazing Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Instructor David Ruiz Interv. pt.1

CFS recently took a snowy trip to Denver to speak with David Ruiz, owner and head instructor of Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He is a 2nd Degree Black Belt under the Rigan Machado system and has trained privately with Rorion, Royce and Helio Gracie himself (Currently holds record for most training hours, 150 lessons in 90 days). As we stood inside the door with bags in hand, people were friendly and happily greeted us. One of the first qualities we appreciated was how immaculately clean the facility was in spite of the relenting snow outside. With a wide and open space and high quality mats, the Colorado Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Academy surely provides enough room to comfortably discover the science and art of Jiu Jitsu. Mr. Ruiz greeted us with an honest smile and friendly demeanor, both motivated and genuine in his excitement to share with us his essence and philosophy.

We had the opportunity to ask all manner of questions on a wide variety of subjects, and all our answers were given enthusiastically with clarity and personality. One of the qualities that stood out most to me about David was his intelligence, most specifically in the enmeshment of an intelligent work ethic. For instance, he uses alternative methods to assimilate information to better understand and teach. One example of this is he goes to sleep listening to books, lectures, etc., ranging from a wide variety of subjects, to help understand psychology, sociology, philosophy, art, music, culture, science, physics, kinesiology and neurology to better his ability to teach his students and children. He was also one of an extreme few who had wonderfully fantastic fortune of training with Brazilian jiu jitsu founder Helio Gracie, who helped David to develop and streamline his ethics, morals, discipline and work ethic. His instruction under legendary Rigan Machado helped to cultivate is creative, evolving and constantly changing adaptability through personal introspection and exploration through application..

David Ruiz humbly feels the Gracie legacy is something that is "bigger than me," and he uses that emotion as a motivational catalyst for self improvement, and the improvement of others. For someone who has had so much personal success, and been around others who have had so much success, and to have helped so many to reach success, he has remained extremely real to himself, with grounded sensibilities. This is a man who has won so many international competitions they almost run together...he assisted Rorian Gracie to introduce Brazilian jiu jitsu to the U.S. military...he was there and part of the birth of the UFC, and the rise of popularity of the Mixed Martial Arts. In the end, we found David to be a sincere and genuine man, who is constantly striving to become a better man for himself, for his children and to those he teaches, and those who have taught him. He appreciates and treasures the history, lineage, foundation and efficiency of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu to help build a better person, father, mother, citizen and authority for all mankind. Yet he also understands and looks forward with sincere dedication and interest towards the evolution and perfection of jiu jitsu in all its forms. He remained a humble and gentle man with surprising depth and a strong integrity.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• brazilian
• jiu
• jitsu
• gracie
• denver
• colorado
• mma
• david
• ruiz
• machado
• class
• instruction
• academy
• helio
• combat sports
• exercise
• defence
• martial arts
• fighting
• director
• defense
• self defense

[soul0luos]

I want to train under this guy if I move back to CO.  Thanks!

[aov27]

Great interview! Does anybody know what gi he had on?