Jean Jacques Machado
Longevity of a Legend
"I don’t know what else to do in life," Jean Jacques Machado reflects thoughtfully. "Jiu jitsu is what I do every day."
We caught up with the unassuming Brazilian jiu jitsu legend to delve into his life, and one thing is crystal clear—Jean Jacques Machado is possibly the most down-to-earth figure in the world of Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Under the California sun, Jean Jacques Machado continues to live his dream, sharing his passion for Brazilian jiu jitsu with his students. "Jiu jitsu is good for so many people," Machado shares. "It’s good for people that are depressed. It’s good for people that want to build up their self-confidence. It’s good for people that want to lose weight. And I think it is priceless to me as someone that has been in jiu jitsu their whole life, to see the amazing impacts in everyone's life."
Before we even broach any questions about his relationship with the Iron Neck, Machado jokingly interjects, "Thanks to you guys, I’m able to continue to do my jiu jitsu for the next 100 years." His lighthearted remark is in a way almost believable; it’s easy to see that Jean Jacques Machado truly never wants to stop. "But really, having Iron Neck today helps me to stay healthy to be able to come every day and teach every class in my school.”
Longevity of a Legend
"I don’t know what else to do in life," Jean Jacques Machado reflects thoughtfully. "Jiu jitsu is what I do every day."
We caught up with the unassuming Brazilian jiu jitsu legend to delve into his life, and one thing is crystal clear—Jean Jacques Machado is possibly the most down-to-earth figure in the world of Brazilian jiu jitsu.
Under the California sun, Jean Jacques Machado continues to live his dream, sharing his passion for Brazilian jiu jitsu with his students. "Jiu jitsu is good for so many people," Machado shares. "It’s good for people that are depressed. It’s good for people that want to build up their self-confidence. It’s good for people that want to lose weight. And I think it is priceless to me as someone that has been in jiu jitsu their whole life, to see the amazing impacts in everyone's life."
Before we even broach any questions about his relationship with the Iron Neck, Machado jokingly interjects, "Thanks to you guys, I’m able to continue to do my jiu jitsu for the next 100 years." His lighthearted remark is in a way almost believable; it’s easy to see that Jean Jacques Machado truly never wants to stop. "But really, having Iron Neck today helps me to stay healthy to be able to come every day and teach every class in my school.”
Staying Injury Free
For Machado, longevity is paramount—being unable to practice jiu jitsu due to injury is a scenario he is determined to avoid.
“What will we be able to do in life if you are not healthy?” he ponders. “If I hurt my neck I’m not going to be able to do what I love.”
Maintaining physical well-being has been a key pillar of Machado's journey. "It’s all about the neck maintenance," he shares, emphasizing how the Iron Neck has become an indispensable part of his routine. "The way you’re able to achieve more points of exercise on your neck in a very safe way. It has been an incredible addition to my life.”
Machado's Iron Neck Secret
A few years back, when we first trained Machado on how to use the Iron Neck, he quickly started to ‘free style’ on his own. Facing the resistance band, with Iron Neck on, he would turn his whole body to one side, keep his face forward, and repeatedly shrug his shoulders. Then he would turn his body the other way and perform that shrug.
“This is what I like the most,” Machado explains. “I can keep switching my positions and shrugging to get stronger against the resistance, and then step farther away to make it harder.” We had never before seen anyone do what Machado was doing. Machado explained that he liked how he could feel himself getting stronger to defend an opponent’s hand pulling his head forward.
Then Jean Jacques laid on his back, Iron Neck on.
“I like that I can recreate the positions that I am in while grappling,” Machado says. “And I get stronger in those positions.”
Watching Machado work through a sequence of positions he had just made up on the spot seemed to flow seamlessly, as if he’d been using Iron Neck for years. We didn’t question whether or not he had it in him to go for another hundred!
Machado's Iron Neck Secret
A few years back, when we first trained Machado on how to use the Iron Neck, he quickly started to ‘free style’ on his own. Facing the resistance band, with Iron Neck on, he would turn his whole body to one side, keep his face forward, and repeatedly shrug his shoulders. Then he would turn his body the other way and perform that shrug.
“This is what I like the most,” Machado explains. “I can keep switching my positions and shrugging to get stronger against the resistance, and then step farther away to make it harder.” We had never before seen anyone do what Machado was doing. Machado explained that he liked how he could feel himself getting stronger to defend an opponent’s hand pulling his head forward.
Then Jean Jacques laid on his back, Iron Neck on.
“I like that I can recreate the positions that I am in while grappling,” Machado says. “And I get stronger in those positions.”
Watching Machado work through a sequence of positions he had just made up on the spot seemed to flow seamlessly, as if he’d been using Iron Neck for years. We didn’t question whether or not he had it in him to go for another hundred!
What's In His Bag?
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