Breathe: A Life in Flow

*An instant New York Times bestseller, USA Today bestseller, and Wall Street Journal bestseller*

From Brazilian Jiu Jitsu legend Rickson Gracie, a riveting memoir weaving the story of his stunning career with the larger history of the Gracie family dynasty and the fighting philosophy of Jiu Jitsu.

Undefeated through his final fight, Rickson Gracie belongs in the fighting pantheon with Bruce Lee, Chuck Norris, and Mike Tyson. In Breathe, Rickson shares the full story of how his father and uncles came to develop Jiu Jitsu, what it was like to grow up among several generations of world-renowned fighters, and the principles and skills that guided him to his undefeated record. Gracie’s classic memoir offers indispensable insights into the warrior mindset, martial arts, human performance, and how the connection between mind and body can be harnessed for success both inside and outside the ring.

Inside, Rickson shares the code of a modern samurai:

• The Gracie Dynasty: Learn the history of the world’s most famous fighting family, from their Scottish warrior roots to the creation of Gracie Jiu Jitsu in Brazil.
• Vale Tudo Champion: Go behind the scenes of Rickson’s legendary, undefeated career in the brutal, no-holds-barred world of vale tudo.
• The Mind-Body Connection: Discover the spiritual and psychological principles Rickson used to harness his internal energy, conquer fear, and remain in a state of flow.
• Birth of MMA: Witness the inside story of the Gracie family’s move to America and the creation of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

“There is Jiu Jitsu, and then there is Rickson Gracie. All others fit neatly below. The presence of mind and body to make micro adjustments in order to occupy what he calls 'The Middle' and his deep understanding in the form of Connection and Balance sets him apart from other Masters of this so called Gentle Art. Gentle, my ass. You keep what you kill.” - Maynard James Keenan, martial artist, winemaker, and lead singer of Tool and A Perfect Circle

“One of my favorite books on martial arts is Takuan SoHo’s The Unfettered Mind. Takuan was not a sword master—he was a Zen Master who wrote about the sword, in spite of never having fought with one. And yet his writings were revered by Japan’s legendary sword masters, including Miyamoto Musashi. Why? Because Takuan understood that a fluid mindset is required to excel in both combat and life. Rickson Gracie is the embodiment of this mindset. His book Breathe tells the story of his life, a journey that taught him how deal with pressure with an unfettered mind. I don’t know of any athlete, in any sport, who can perform in 'the zone' or 'the flow,' the way that Rickson Gracie did.”   - José Padilha, director of Bus 174, The Elite Squad, Robocop, Narcos, and Entebbe

“Rickson Gracie and me had a match in the BYU wrestling room in 1992. He made me tap out twice and told me I was the toughest guy he’d gone against. Rickson was the best fighter I’d ever seen. He still may be.” - Mark Schultz, wrestler and Olympic gold medalist

“His approach to martial arts, to the game of unarmed combat is well beyond his years. He is definitely an inspiration of mine.” - Conor McGregor, UFC double-champion

“Rickson’s one of my heroes. Maybe the most dominant athlete in any sport of all time, and he’s hugely inspired me. Without knowing it, he helped me a lot.” - Kelly Slater, 11-time World Surfing League champion

"Breathe: A Life in Flow is at its best when it tells beautiful, small little stories illustrating this truth about how Gracie moves through the world, as a fighter, a surfer, and a man doing his best to be his best." - Carolyn Lee Adams, Bloody Elbow