22 years of jiujitsu... I have definitely been lied to... your correct..  on one hand... I was told Helio was so frail he could  not really train
... later I was told he jumped from a ship to save a drowning man....

Nobody knew… but we know now.

When we know better, we are obligated to do better.

I remember training with you at the Avellan’s gym. Good video

every serious coach needs to read Drysdale

Such good stuff.

Jujitsu is amoral. Like a weapon ,fire and money. This is such a much needed video for the future generations.
With the advent of the interment of online lessons , one could learn all the jujitsu they want with out ever having to deal with the school or individual teachers

There is a serious issue in becoming an apologist for lies.  As there is within the Christian faith, there are many sides to the stories, but somewhere there is One Truth.  It is imperative to follow the truth when we see it.
This is just like learning the debates between Catholic and Orthodox.  It is extremely important for the soul to identify if we are defending lies.

Evandro, I honor your journey through life's challenges and your unwavering dedication to Jiu-Jitsu—it's inspiring. It's unfortunate the experiences you've faced lately, and I truly empathize while appreciating your pursuit of objective truth.

That said, let's distinguish between objective truth (mind-independent facts, like the Earth orbiting the Sun) and subjective truth (mind-dependent perceptions influenced by beliefs). Objective truths are rare in philosophy, especially in human affairs, while subjective ones dominate—subjectivism is uncommon among philosophers but prevalent elsewhere.

I agree the community should internalize truth and justice, but the reality is most everyday people aren't pondering Jiu-Jitsu's history—they're focused on their daily lives.

You rightly distrust media manipulation today, but remember, all information is recorded by people prone to twisting truths to suit themselves, as behavioral economics shows through cognitive biases like confirmation bias. Daniel Kahneman's work in "Thinking, Fast and Slow" highlights how heuristics and biases distort judgments under uncertainty.

It's like the game of telephone: stories evolve naturally over time. Pedro's "80-year" point references this— inconsistencies are inherent to human communication. Interestingly, you critique it early but align later when discussing history as propaganda. All history involves exaggeration and embellishment; it's the truth of how humans operate.

One of the wisest thoughts is "Don't take yourself too seriously"— it feels like this video crosses that line.

On hierarchies, science shows they're evolved in human society, like lobster dominance systems tied to serotonin, mirroring our status-seeking. Reaching the top brings both positives and negatives.

Who owns Jiu-Jitsu? Nobody—fighting is a natural human response. I doubt anyone claims ownership. The Valentes' "Jujutsu" label acknowledges its pre-BJJ roots, as Pedro has said on podcasts. The Gracies topped the Jiu-Jitsu hierarchy for an era— that's hierarchy science at play.

Just because something was new to you doesn't mean others lacked perspective; I've sought varied views in my 6 years tof raining, perhaps due to age and curiosity. Denying the Gracies' impact is absurd—without it, we wouldn't be discuss any of this. Carlson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu continues Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, which evolves from Japanese Jujutsu.

Mocking kimonos feels like an ego-driven low blow.

I'm glad your brought to light that Brazilian culture can be intensely physical and dark—I've noted this too. BJJ emerged from Jujutsu fusing with that culture, it's a reason why the Gracies emphasized self-defense as a complete system. Power games are brutal everywhere in history.

I appreciate your drive to improve your culture. The Gracies are a family with flaws, like any. You as much as any person has lived through the wrath of their flaws—airing dirty laundry happens. Think of Martin Luther King: immoral behaviors, yet we don't discard his good. People aren't afraid to discuss; most just don't care, prioritizing present issues in their lives. Pedro's has also said : "Jiu-Jitsu is perfect; the humans who practice it aren't."

Helio's conviction and pardon are known, but most shrug it off—he's passed, and we should focus forward.

On Helio's "weakness": Can't both narratives hold? Like Theodore Roosevelt, born sickly with asthma but who overcame it through rigorous training, including Jiu-Jitsu, becoming strong. In Brazil's tough culture, no one wants weakness shown—perhaps Helio proactively conquered ailments via exercise, which we both know heals..

Even samurai strayed from Bushido. I hope you find forgiveness in your heart—it's missing here a touch.

We should all be critical thinkers, yet we succumb to biases. Thanks for planting the questioning seed.

Glad you concluded it's all your fault—truly, everything, good and bad, is our responsibility if we accept it. Much respect to you as you contiue on this life's journey.

30:00 my best friend is a Brazilian from Rio and he always told me not to go to Brazil unless I went with him.  He says it is very bad and if you see a rich person's house, you can turn the corner and be in the worst of areas immediately.  He found it better to come to America with a back pack rather than try and remain there.
Evandro, did you ever see the movie City of God?

Eu venho falando no Brasil que Pedro Valente é um dos maiores mentirosos mal carates a pelo menos 5 anos assim como Robert Drysdale, porém são mentirosos de formas diferentes, Pedro o tempo todo faz um xadrez 4D com qualquer informação que surge para caber na narrativa oficial, ele não é um pesquisador não é um historiador como muitos pensam e como ele se apresenta, ele é apenas um fanatico como um fanatico religioso, mas no caso dele um fanatiico em uma figura histórica que por acaso foi professor dele. Ja Drysdale utiliza um vieis pseudo pesquisador dando carteirada de academico, mas tambem mente de forma mas rebuscadas e soberba, mas mente sobre descobertas que ele fala ser dele mas na verdade são de outros pesquisadores brasileiros que ele teve acesso que hoje ele esconde e nem menciona apenas para parecer conhecedor do assunto  ou seja ele apenas ejaculha com genitalha alheia. Drysdale também mente quando fala que algumas coisas não há evidencias, a verdade é que  como ele não viu ou não sabe da evidencia ele ignora e fala que não existe, mesmo com outros pesquisadores tendo essas evidencias e maos, mas como não é dele nem do trabalho dele logo ele diz que não existe; Drysdale alem de mentir ele também age como hipocrita, quando um pesquisador apresenta qualquer informação a respeit ode um assunto ele fala que é mentira ou que o relato do MEstre que deu sobre o assunto é mentira, porém quando é ele Drysdale que consegue o relato ou entrevista algum mestre  ai sim é verdade e vale tudo para livro dele e/ou documentario fracassado que ele comesse e não termine . A primeira vez queeu notei que Pedro Valente era um mentiroso contumaz foi quando em 2020 ele estava numa live no canal do Ian Behring filho do Mestre Sylvio Behring e do Grande Mestre Flavio Behring que também estava na live a respeito do Helio Gracie, lá o irmão do Pedro Valente o Guilhereme Valente faz um breve relato de quando o Helio contou pra eles como foi o dia que estava espancando o Manual Rufino do Santos, lá Guilhereme relata a historia rir e  o Pedro valente  concorda ,  9 dias depois o podcast Budokast faz um episódio sobre o Helio Gracie e la tem a participaçao de Pedro Valente e de outros pesquisadores brasileiro, o Pedro simplesmente nega a história com Manuel Rufino e diz que é tudo mentira que aconteceu com  Rufino, sendo que além do Helio ter contado essa história pra eles que 9 dias antes ele confirmou, existem jornais da epoca falando do ocorrido, existe Boletim de ocorrencia sobre o ocorrido, os Irmaos Gracie Carlos, Helio e George foram presos por causa do ocorrido . Foi quando percebi que Pedro estava disposto a mentir e mudar qualquer história para caber numa narrativa fantasiosa de seu professor !!!!

Here’s the problem: most Brazilian black belts who make a living from jiu-jitsu have a very hard time admitting that the story perpetuated by the Gracie family does not align with reality. This reluctance comes from a mixture of gratitude, respect, and the belief that part of Brazilian jiu-jitsu’s appeal comes from this Karate Kid-like tale of a succession of fearless, invincible, and seemingly supreme martial artists. Judo was also historically portrayed as the enemy. Therefore, admitting that Brazilian jiu-jitsu is, in fact, largely derived from judo’s newaza would feel to them like conceding defeat.

Yikes. I like Robert - he is very detailed and has done the forensic work. I started JJ in Rio, in 1987. I met Helio, I met Carlson and many others in those days - I was brought into various mats by Rigan Machado, who was related to many of them. I didnt' realise, or foresee, the politics. I remain fairly, if not completely disengaged from the politics - I think Jiu Jitsu is now, like the proverbial cat, 'out of the bag'. It is owned by the world now - and being developed, outside of Brazil. Thanks Robert for what you've brought to the landscape. Lastly, as far as Jiu Jitsu making people a better person - I don't see it. Fortunately, some very moral, smart and ethical people have become black belts in Jiu Jitsu - and it is that particular cadre of people, that tend improve people's lives through Jiu Jitsu training ... not the art in and of itself. Best wishes all - John Will (Australia)

I trained at Valente Bros for a couple of years. The technique & level of instruction is world class for the stated goals of the school. Training was hard enough. Being trapped  in a single 45 minute round of grappling / sparring against a relentless collegiate wrestler from Purdue University  (& soon to be black belt himself) ,without a water break , isn't exactly what I would consider mild or easy after a long day of work. Striking, Clinching, throws, takedowns, defense against strikes standing & on the ground, etc all part of the curriculum as it pertains to real live self defense. No it's not a steroid sport jiu jitsu competition team...& they never pretended otherwise. It's a self defense academy  with plenty of martial artists from various styles, cops, military, armed security, former MMA fighters, seasoned streetfighters, & athletes mixed in w/ regular folks & nerds all there to learn the self defense street application of jiu jitsu as originally intended. I remember seeking Jiu Jitsu after seeing Royce win the 1st few UFCs in the 90s & being confused w/ all the sport jiu jitsu schools I ran into w/ a complete focus on pajama grappling tournaments for points & trophies while never addressing what to do when someone decides to throw punches & kicks at you instead of starting from the knees...never addressing how to defend strikes. The Valente Bros academy provided what I was actually looking for. It wasn't tournament medals or even MMA competition. Just Jiu Jitsu applied to self defense & technique that work against folks of any size not just someone within your own weight class. No buttscooting, exotic flashy guards / moves that open you up to getting knocked out. Just really REALLY solid fundementals refined to a high level.

I really don't agree with you. Their Jiu-Jitsu changed the life of hundred of thousands of people. And you are there basically calling them scammers. Man... take a look at Rickson's Jiu-Jitsu, Roger, Renzo and others. Don't be so bitter. Are there legends that are a bit exagerated overtime, probably yes, it's probably why Rickson separated himself from the family. But they contributed so much, they are artists, they are fighters, they are teachers. You seem so bitter, I don't know why. I don't know about Pedro Valente at all, so I can't judge. But you seem way too frustrated to have an objective view on it.  But I still watched and I appreciate the work, wish we can share about it one day