Jiu Jitsu for Everyone
Alejandro Siqueira and his team at Gracie Barra in Argyle insist that Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone. Sure, that may seem like a stretch at first. After all, most people have decades of preconceived notions about martial arts, whether it’s images of high-adrenaline fights, complex techniques, or athletes twisting opponents into pretzel-like knots. It’s all great stuff, but to suggest it’s for everyone feels, at first glance, like a bold claim.
But step inside their inviting studio and onto those iconic royal-blue mats for one class — especially one taught by Professor Alejandro himself — and those misconceptions quickly start to fade.
Parents train alongside their kids. For safety, beginners pair with advanced students. Meanwhile, nervous first-timers learn right next to seasoned athletes preparing for tournaments.
The atmosphere is encouraging and structured. The energy is steeped in decades of tradition and legacy, yet built on a foundation of personal growth rather than intimidation. The goal isn’t to turn people into fighters. It’s to help them discover confidence under pressure, discipline, and a calmer mind —even in the most uncomfortable situations.
“Gracie Barra jiu-jitsu has become a passion and way of life,” Alejandro said. He is a 4th-degree black belt and International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation World Champion. “We are excited to bring jiu-jitsu to Argyle.”
Gracie Barra is one of the most recognized names in Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Founded in 1986 by Master Carlos Gracie Jr., it has grown to more than 1,000 schools worldwide. What sets Gracie Barra apart is its structured, global curriculum, designed to ensure consistency, safety, and progress at every level. More than a martial arts school, it is a global family committed to personal growth, leadership development, and making Jiu-Jitsu accessible to everyone.
The Argyle location opened in October and continues that tradition, offering programs for kids, adults, women, and competitive athletes. The gym’s 2,800-square-foot space — complete with the franchise’s iconic royal-blue mats and its “legacy wall” documenting the lineage of teachers — looks and feels like every Gracie Barra school around the world.
Co-owner Ryan Kagay certainly believes that.
A formerly active U.S. Marine, combat veteran, and local business owner, Ryan began his jiu-jitsu journey in 2009. He’s been training with Professor Alejandro since 2012 — not just himself, but also his family. He and his wife have six kids, five of whom train at Gracie Barra Argyle. Someday soon, their 2-year-old daughter will join them.
“Whether you walk into a Gracie Barra school in the Philippines or right here in Argyle, you will experience the same look and feel. We love that,” Ryan said. “It’s been great for my family. In many ways, it’s a passion. It teaches you to be comfortable with the uncomfortable. For instance, it can be humbling when you have someone on top of you on the mat, but you learn to breathe, relax, and employ the right techniques to get out of the situation. You can apply the same teachings to life — professionally, personally, and spiritually. That’s what Professor Alejandro wants to share with everyone, and it’s what we want to share, too.”
Ryan said all hands were on deck for a wildly successful soft opening in November. Over 60 individuals and families attended, filling the mat with eager kids, curious parents, and adults stepping into their first class.
What was meant to be a simple introduction quickly felt more like a community celebration — people laughing between drills, kids racing to find their spots on the mats, and newcomers lingering afterward to ask questions and soak up the atmosphere.
It was the kind of turnout that confirmed they were building something Argyle is ready for.
And trust them when they say they have big plans for the school. While the studio is currently located on Hamilton Road off Highway 377, the plan is to eventually open a larger, permanent location just down the road in a few years.
“It’ll still be right in the heart of Argyle, where this is meant to be,” Ryan said. “Jiu-Jitsu really can be for everyone. Gracie Barra does it right every time, and we’re excited to bring this experience to Argyle.”
