To the incredible healthcare professionals working on the front lines:
Violence in healthcare is real, and it’s getting worse. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare workers suffer 73% of all workplace violence incidents, and the vast majority go unreported. Too often, staff are left feeling unprepared and unsupported forced to choose between their own safety or organizational policy. No one should ever have to make that choice.
That’s why we created Gracie Medical Defense (GMD), a complete workplace violence prevention program built specifically for healthcare. From compassionate communication to physical de-escalation addressing all the most common types of assaults, GMD equips your team with the skills to stay safe, calm, and in control.
Rooted in the time-tested principles of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, GMD techniques are non-violent, non-impactful, and inherently de-escalatory. There are no strikes, no joint locks, and no pressure points, just pure leverage and distance management that allows staff to protect themselves without compromising patient care.
The program also includes SafeWrap, our proprietary lateral restraint system that preserves breathing and reduces panic in crisis situations. It’s simple to learn, easy to apply, and scalable for every department, from adult behavioral health to pediatrics.
Through a train-the-trainer model, GMD allows any healthcare institution to share these potentially life-saving skills with all staff members. Certified institutions also receive 24/7 online access to the entire curriculum, so every team member has a resource they can turn to, any time they need it.
As someone born into the Gracie family and raised on the jiu-jitsu mats, I’ve dedicated my life to sharing our legacy of personal safety and peaceful conflict resolution. And I can say with full conviction that Gracie Medical Defense may be one of the most important applications of our 100-year legacy. It’s a privilege to bring this knowledge to the people who protect and care for others every single day.
To the nurses, doctors, EMTs, and workplace violence prevention leaders who helped bring this program to life—thank you. Together, we are not only protecting lives—we are reshaping the culture of care for generations to come.