Mr. Gary Engels is currently a 4th degree black belt (Taekwondo) and Black Belt in Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu, who founded a martial arts school called Leadership Academy in Woodruff, WI. in August of 2005.

The school was developed to use martial arts training as a vehicle to practice real world leadership skills that can lead to a lifetime of success. Engels has designed and launched several online programs to help assist students with taking action, practicing community service, and developing powerful leadership experiences through community activism.

These programs have been spread around the globe into martial arts schools and charter schools to assist students with starting community based projects and leading a team to success. In 2010, Engels was awarded the first ever “Out of the Dojo and Into the World” Award from an organization called the100. and was also featured in MA Success magazine for the remarkable projects completed by students from around the world who followed these programs.

Mr. Engels started his training at 5 years old in KI Kajukenpo Karate. After 7 years of training, he met Dr. Guillermo Gonzalez and began studying Olympic TaeKwonDo with him. They traveled around the country competing and has won many awards and recognitions along the way. At 19, he began teaching and helping his new instructor run a successful martial arts school in Appleton WI. Champions Martial Arts, run by Master Shane Tassoul, was the launching point to many of Mr. Engels programs as he learned how to run a successful full time school. Then, in 2005, he moved back to his hometown and was convinced (by friends and family) to open a martial arts school of his own. Leadership Academy was founded on the idea that Martial Arts training is the perfect place to practice real leadership. Through his work with Master Tom Callos and The100 (a Master Teacher training program that believes 100 martial arts school owners can do some incredible work in our world) he has implemented many ideas like the Ultimate Black Belt Test, Environmental Self Defense, Living Heroes Program, Random Acts of Kindness, and Project Based Leadership Training. Master Callos has helped Mr. Engels reach his goals and his 4th degree black belt over the last 17 years.

Mr. Engels is still training and teaching around the country. He recently was flown out to Reno, NV to speak on the TEDx stage with some of the brightest thinkers and doers in the world today to discuss Project Based Leadership Training and it’s connection to martial arts training. (See TED Video Here)

There aren’t many instructors that are dedicated to their students the way that Mr. Engels is, he teaches every class and closely works with well over a hundred students at Leadership Academy every week.

The FIRST Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt in Wisconsin!

Gary Engels, head instructor at Leadership Academy Martial Arts, was awarded his Gracie Jiu Jitsu Black Belt by Royce Gracie. A legend and pioneer in the sport of mixed martial arts, Royce is widely considered to be the most influential figure in the history of modern MMA. Engels has been training in Gracie Jiu Jitsu for 15 years and was invited by Royce to come and test in New Orleans on October 16th. 25 other students were invited to Louisiana to test. Of those, 13 completed the pre-testing process, and just 8 passed this yearly Black Belt test. Over 80 Royce Gracie Black Belts from around the world were at the event to have a say in who passed and who failed.

The test included Self Defense, Striking, Clinching/Takedowns, Grappling, and Philosophy. Beyond the extreme physical self defense and martial arts portion, testers had to demonstrate their knowledge and deep understanding of the Bushido Code that includes the 7 Principles of a True Warrior: Rectitude, Courage, Benevolence, Politeness, Honesty, Honor, and Loyalty. It further included the 5 Keys to Health: Diet, Rest, Exercise, Hygiene, and Attitude. Finally, students were thoroughly tested on the 

state of mind a warrior should have, which includes Zanshin: Awareness/Alertness, Mushin: to have a cool calm collected mind in the heat of battle, and Fudoshin: state of emotional balance. 

Royce Gracie, of the legendary Gracie family, is one of the most prolific and influential MMA fighters in history. He became an ‘underdog’ hero while changing the landscape of combat sports and revolutionizing martial arts forever. After winning the first UFC Tournament(s) (UFC1, UFC2, UFC4), he proved that with the knowledge of his father’s fighting style (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) a “David” could beat a “Goliath”. Royce is the only fighter in history to defeat four opponents in the same night; unlike today, these tournaments had no weight divisions, no time limits and no real rules. In Brazil they were called “Vale Tudo”, in America it became ‘no-holds-barred’ and was quickly ruled illegal throughout most of the U.S. In 2003, Royce was the first fighter inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. His record of ‘victories via submissions’ remains untouched. Today he’s considered an icon, a pioneer, and “The Godfather” of a sport that will be celebrating its 29th anniversary this November. 

Gracie Jiu Jitsu promotes the concept that a smaller, weaker person can defend themselves against a bigger, stronger assailant by using leverage and proper technique. Self defense and live drilling play a major role in training, and a premium is placed on performance in relation to progress and ascension through its ranking system.

Through using Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Royce Gracie was known as the smallest guy in the tournaments who consistently won by causing little-to-no harm to his much larger opponents. This is a great philosophy for self defense and ‘fighting’ for Leadership Academy students. We are leaders in our community and are building confidence in knowing how to protect yourself and your family without having to cause harm to the ‘bad guys’ out there. Self defense is about protection, not causing harm to others.