The 32 Principles

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.

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.