Overcome any obstacle life throws at you by thinking, and reacting 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 being in balance with the world. Now, for the first time, the most important and life-enhancing principles of jiu-jitsu can be applied to every aspect of life.

In The 32 Principles, 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 and the importance of investing in a strong foundation
• The Acceptance Principle and recognizing when it’s better to yield than to resist
• The Pivot Principle and the value of changing your perspective to increase your effectiveness
• The Redirection Principle and using unfavorable circumstances to create favorable outcomes

Intended for both longtime fans and practitioners of the martial arts, as well as those completely unfamiliar with jiu-jitsu—and 32 companion videos of each principle’s physical application for self defense from Rener himself—will help you gain balance and control over yourself, home, work, family, and personal and professional relationships. Along with multi-award-winning author Paul Volponi, this book features contributions from more than 40 champion athletes, top flight coaches, and others who have benefited from these principles in real life. .

Every obstacle is a technique waiting to be discovered. Learn how to live life through the lens of a martial arts master, and no challenge will knock you down for long.

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 instructor 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, his jiu-jitsu company, Gracie University, has over 200 certified training centers worldwide. Perhaps his most remarkable achievement to date was the distillation of the complex art of Brazilian jiu-jitsu down to its core 32 principles, which may also be applied to achieve personal and professional success in one’s life. He is founder and CEO of several multimillion dollar companies and has invented several products including Quikflip Apparel, the sweatshirt that converts into a backpack, and the Sleeper Hold, the world’s best travel pillow. He has already appeared on ABC’s Shark Tank once and plans on appearing a second time in the near future.

Paul Volponi is the award-winning author of sixteen 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.