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Rodrigo Freitas, born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, discovered his passion for Jiu-Jitsu at 13. Earning his black belt in 2005, he traveled across Europe for seminars before moving to the U.S. in 2009 as an instructor for Gracie Barra Irvine.
After a stint in Hawaii, he became Head Instructor at Gracie Barra Manhattan Beach, later acquiring the academy in 2013 and rebranding it as Inspirit Jiu Jitsu Academy. Overcoming setbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic, he rebuilt his student base to 350+.
In September 2024, Rodrigo opened a new, state-of-the-art facility, three times larger, marking a new chapter in his legacy. Today, Inspirit Jiu Jitsu Academy is home to a dominant kids and teens competition team, leading the IBJJF rankings. Rodrigo is married to Michele Freitas, also a black belt, and together they raise their two children.