Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Raleigh, North Carolina
Rise from the fire within...
We are the premiere Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is unlike other styles of martial arts and focuses on getting an opponent to the ground in order to use techniques that include submissions, chokes, and 
dominate body position to control or defeat your opponent. It is also referred to as grappling and is a great self defense art due to the fact that size and strength doesn’t matter.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, commonly known as BJJ or recently “Jits”, has evolved from the traditional Japanese style of Jiu-Jitsu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, jiu-jitsu meaning “the gentle art,” does not use kicking or striking to subdue your opponent. Using leverage, well thought out technique, and your opponents instincts and physique against him, will finish the fight.
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Team Immortal BJJ/ Rapid Fitness went to the 2012 Pan American International Games in Los Angeles and brought back Gold!!!
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The 12 man team headed by Professor Todd Wheeler (Founder of Immortal BJJ and Team Renzo Gracie L.A. Blackbelt) traveled out to Los Angeles and competed in the 4 day event. Over 4000 competitors from all over the world descended on UC Irvine, CA on March 28th, 2012 to throw down and did! The 2 gold medals were brought home by Matthew "Fluffy" Cotter and Brian McGinnis. The team as a whole did very well winning 14 international matches returning home ready to train for next years tournament. This trip takes the international medal count to 4 total in two years. "This trip shows the dedication that all members of Immortal BJJ / Rapid Fitness has to one another," explains Professor Todd. "We will only continue to go further up the international ladder!" Brazilian Jiu-jitsu is a very rich and involved martial art with techniques of various skill level providing seemingly endless options for the jiu-jitsu fighter. Patience and timing are two of the most important skills you must learn, as well as effectively using and keeping your energy in order to keep going. If you get two skilled BJJ practitioners together rolling, it’s almost like watching a chess match between great minds. The grappler who is able to think three or four moves ahead will dominate the fight.
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is a highly effective martial art and method of self defense for men, women, and children. We teach in a safe, friendly and controlled environment which fosters fun, camaraderie, and respect.
Come join us on the mat!!
Sample instruction video:
For more info, visit Immortalbjj.com.
Professor Todd Wheeler's Bio
Professor Todd Wheeler began studying martial arts at the age of 14 in North Carolina. After moving to Los Angeles, CA, at age 16, he was fortunate enough to meet actor Steven Seagal and began studying Aikido at his school. After several years training with Seagal, Todd met master of Tae Kwon Do and creator of Tae Bo, Billy Blanks. Professor Todd began teaching Tae Kwon Do and worked as a Tae Bo instructor for six years. This interaction led him to study psychology as part of his minor in college, furthering his knowledge of how to interact with and incorporate his martial arts training for adults as well as children. In an effort to broaden his martial arts ability, Professor Todd went on to study traditional Jiu-Jitsu, Wing Chun Kung Fu and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, achieving high ranking belts in all systems and a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Todd’s primary focus for the last eight years has been in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Todd’s current rank in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is black belt under the prestigious Team Renzo Gracie family given to him by second degree black belt Professor Shawn Williams. Todd’s first experience with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was studying under renowned practitioner John Machado. While training with Machado, Todd was fortunate enough to take classes with Jean Jacques Machado, Rico Rodriguez and Eddie Bravo. He went on to study under the Team Renzo Gracie flag at Hollywood BJJ and has been an instructor under Shawn Williams at HBJJ/Team Renzo Gracie for the past several years. He placed as a silver medalist in the 2006 American Nationals and competed in the Pan American games. While at HBJJ, Todd has been lucky enough to train with some masters of BJJ as well as some Hollywood celebrities, including Renzo Gracie, Rodrigo Gracie, Daniel Gracie, John Danahar and Dave Camarillo; film/television notables Director Guy Ritchie ("Sherlock Holmes"); actor Harold Perrineau ("Lost"); and actor Sean Patrick Flanery ("Boondock Saints").
Watch Our Videos
Before Professor Todd left Los Angeles, students gave their testimoniy about his teaching ability and how they felt about him. Thanks to all those that helped Professor Todd become the instructor he is today:
Video shot by friends before leaving Los Angeles. Professor Todd was still a brown belt in the video. Thanks to Dae, Chris, and Chet for all their hard work. Also, additional thanks to big Kevin and Pericles for being such great demo partners:
When Professor Todd was teaching at Hollywood BJJ in Los Angeles, he had a early morning class that he called "The Farm". This was really his first solo class as a BJJ instructor. Professor Williams gave him a lot of creative room with this class and Todd feels that it helped him immensely in learning to be an instructor:
Actor Sean Flanery interviews Professor Todd just before he moved to Raleigh, N.C. Dec. 28, 2009. Thanks to Sean for taking the time and all of his kind words:
Raleigh, North Carolina 27612 Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Gym
Rapid Fitness is the fitness connection in Raleigh, North Carolina. We are the gold standard in the gym business and have the best fitness and exercise center on the planet. We offer such amenities as Boxing Classes, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing Ring, Mixed Martial Arts, MMA Training Center, Cross Training, Free Weights, "Shield" Kids Self-Defense, Largest Cardio Deck in Raleigh, Free WI-FI Lounge, and Juice Bar. As for customer service, all emails are monitored by the owners 24/7. Great gym locations that will raise your O2 level in Raleigh, North Carolina at Glenwood Avenue, Downtown and North Ridge 27612.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email us at info@rapidfitness.com
