At GMA Renzo Gracie Newark, Professor Marco Teixeira is teaching valuable lessons to law enforcement officers from all over the nation. Here is an interview with the black belt under Renzo Gracie who speaks about his time with the men and women of these agencies and teaching alongside Master Renzo:
GRACIEMAG: For how long have you been training?
Marco Teixeira: I have been training in the martial arts for over twenty years. I am a Jiu-Jitsu black belt under the legendary Renzo Gracie. Currently am the head instructor at the Renzo Gracie Academy in Newark, NJ.
For how long have you been teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT)?
I’ve been teaching for over ten years of police tactical training with numerous Law Enforcement Agencies, including Austin Texas SWAT, New Jersey State Police. I have taught dozens of other officers from the states of Texas and New York at their respective SWAT conferences over the past 10 years.
Tell us a little bit about this opportunity to teach Jiu- Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT)?
In my opinion, training these brave young men and women to keep themselves and the members of their community safe was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
I want to take the opportunity to promote the art of Jiu-Jitsu for all members of the law enforcement community. A substantial number of my students are members of the law enforcement community. I have had the honor of training Federal Air Marshals, F.B.I. special agents, D.E.A. special agents, New Jersey State Troopers, and numerous local officers from many different states.
And how was the experience to teach Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community (SWAT) together with Renzo Gracie ?
It was amazing! Recently, I had the honor of traveling to the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association’s 2014 SWAT conference in Houston, TX. It was truly a humbling and rewarding experience to be able to teach and train with my master, Renzo Gracie. It was incredibly surreal to learn and share such an experience with Master Renzo and the various members of the Texas Law Enforcement Community.
To do it alongside one of my heroes made the experience even better. We even had a visit from special guest Vinicius “Draculino” Magalhaes.
In your opinion , what’s the importance of teaching Jiu-Jitsu to the Law Enforcement Community?
It’s very important. Jiu-Jitsu is easy to learn, you do not have to be athletic, and it is incredibly effective in self defense. Due to the fact that an estimated 65 to 85 percent of altercations end up going to the ground, Jiu-Jitsu is a vital tool.In addition, due to the high occurrence of injury, it is the only martial art where you may train at 100% resistance in every class. Training in the art also has incredible physical fitness and mental strength benefits.
Leave a message to the Jiu-Jitsu and Law Enforcement Community.
I would like to thank all the Jiu-Jitsu and Law Enforcement Community and also thank Master Renzo for the contributions he has made to the world of Jiu-Jitsu and the martial arts, as well as his selfless dedication to the members of the Law Enforcement Community. I would also like to that the Texas Tactical Police Officers Association for giving me the opportunity to train and learn from some of the most dedicated Officers I have ever met.
To learn more about Marco Teixeira and his training at Renzo Gracie Newark, please visit www.renzogracienewark.com
