My son loves going to the classes. It’s really nice to see a place that has medals to back the name. Coach is awesome as well highly recommend this place. Less

Coaches make you feel like family from day one, Professor Fabio is a world class instructor and person. Friendly GB community who are the best and nicest training partners you will ever meet when you walk in the door. They truly live by Jiu Jitsu for everyone! Less

My daughter started training at Gracie Barra Columbia because she was routinely being bullied at school for several years. Starting in 6th grade, this bullying behaviour began as group verbal harassment by both girls and boys, some of whom she didn't know. This escalated to unprovoked physical attacks by boys, whom she also didn't know. I was proactively engaged with school administration and I believe they did their best within their abilities. However, no one can force another person to be good and the bullying behaviour persisted. My child is an introverted gifted kid who manages high levels of anxiety. She simply did not understand what was happening to her and did not know how to react. She just wanted to disappear. My daughter went from a kid who loved learning and school to trying to get out of going. From past personal experience, I have direct knowledge of the benefits of martial arts training for improvement in self defense skills, general confidence, communication and interaction abilities, personal awareness, and boundary setting. Her preference was not to learn a striking art. My preference was that she learn to defend herself from someone other than me to remove the emotional complexities of the father-daughter dynamic. My daughter enthusiastically embraced training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at Gracie Barra Columbia in November 2023. It made her feel like she was proactively doing something to take control over her own life when others were trying to take away her independence and agency. She enjoys the structured, positive, and safe environment, the noticeable progression in her grappling and self-defense abilities, and an environment where everyone is held accountable to standards of behaviour. She also enjoys being a good training partner and helping others. My daughter specifically joined to learn self-defense skills. She does not want to compete due to anxiety. I am grateful that GB COMO lets every student follow their own motivations and goals and she has never been pressured to compete. She trains at least two times a week. Some days, she does not feel like going. These are usually when she has had a tough day at school. I tell her that it is important to stick to commitments and require her to go if it is not a health issue. Every time she trains, she feels better. Every time she has been reluctant to go, she has told me how good she felt afterward and that she was happy that she trained. Three things that I really like about GB COMO are the positive coaches, the mixed gender classes, and the intentional effort to make the training environment fun. I appreciate that the coaches are open, positive mentors who respectfully communicate the rules for safety but are not authoritarian or unnecessarily disciplinarian. Another strength is that classes are co-ed and that there are several female coaches. I think this is really important because it shows my daughter that jiu jitsu is not just for men. From a realistic self-defense standpoint, my daughter is training and sparring with boys as well as girls. This experience is important because, as my daughter grows into adulthood, if she is faced with a self-defense situation, her attacker is unlikely to be another woman. The change in my daughter in the past year has been noticeable. A year ago, my daughter would have been afraid to step on the mats and train with adults, let alone even ask if it was OK. A year ago, when she entered a room, it seemed like she didn't know where to put herself. Now, she carries herself with greater confidence and she seems more present and aware. The bullying at school seems to have stopped or at least she is less concerned about it. This year, she has told kids at school directly and forcefully to leave her alone. I recently asked her how it might go if any of the kids who harassed her in the past tried to physically engage her. She wasn't concerned and said it probably wouldn't go well for them. I think that change in confidence has played a big factor in bullies backing off. Less

I can’t recommend Gracie Barra enough - they’re very welcoming and knowledgeable! Best BJJ gym in town! Special shout-out to Fabio & Dom for helping me learn and grow over the last 3 months. Less

My son is attending GBC BJJ, at first like some 11 yr Olds, he was intimidated, but Professor Fabio and his coaches treat everyone like family, are always positive, and compassionate. The students also are welcoming. My son enjoys his BJJ class and has physically and mentally benefited from learning BJJ. Highly recommend. Less

This has been an amazing growth opportunity for my rambunctious 5 year old. He has learned structure in a way that is hard to do at home. He has learned how to work for a goal, and most importantly he has had fun the whole way. The professor and coaches are all amazing! I cannot recommend this place for kids enough! Less

My 5 yo son has LOVED Jiu Jitsu at GB. He had no previous experience and is a shy kid. A couple times during the first month of class, he was nervous to get onto the mat. The staff has always been patient and encouraging with him. They are knowledgable and fun while also setting clear boundaries with the students. My family is so thankful to have found GB! (photo is of the parent/child class they do once a month. our favorite class) Less