In a groundbreaking initiative, Rener Gracie has taken the initiative to teach Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to front-line clinical workers in high-risk positions. This move comes as a response to the rising violence against medical professionals, with the aim of empowering them with effective self-defense techniques.
Gracie has created a comprehensive safety program specifically designed for healthcare professionals. The program, called Gracie Medical Defense, is a 10-lesson course tailored to address the most common threats faced by medical workers, based on industry data and firsthand accounts from targets of assault.
In a seminar exclusively for UCI Health coworkers in designated units that experience the highest rates of violence, Rener Gracie and his team will teach participants essential self-defense principles. The course covers crucial techniques, including distance management to mitigate threats, escaping common grabs, defending against kicks and punches, and verbally deescalating combative situations.
“We decided it was finally time to create a comprehensive safety program specifically for healthcare professionals that provided real solutions to real problems,” said Eve Gracie, Rener’s wife, in a promotional video for the seminar. “Every technique you will learn is based on self-defense principles that have been developed and refined over three generations, except in this case, they’ve all been adapted specifically for use in healthcare.”
The seminar, which is free for all UCI Health coworkers, aims to provide a safe and empowering learning environment for participants. The course is designed to be accessible to individuals of all ages and physical fitness levels, with no prior experience necessary.
“We specifically chose techniques that we knew could be learned and practiced by anyone, regardless of age or physical fitness level,” Rener Gracie emphasized. “And if for any reason, you don’t feel comfortable participating, you can simply show up and watch and you’ll still learn a ton.”
The Gracie Medical Defense program is a significant step towards addressing the growing concern of danger to healthcare professionals. By providing them with practical self-defense skills, the program aims to boost their confidence and ability to protect themselves and their patients in high-pressure situations.
The seminar will take place at the Hotel Farah, formerly the Devil Tree, and participants are encouraged to register in advance through the UC Learning Center. With limited space available, medical professionals are urged to secure their spots quickly.
As Rener Gracie and his team embark on this innovative initiative, they are confident that their program will make a tangible difference in the lives of front-line clinical workers. “We can guarantee this will be the most empowering and enjoyable workplace safety seminar of your entire career,” Eve Gracie assured.
