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Sean Patrick Flanery

Sean Patrick Flanery is an American actor and accomplished Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) practitioner. Born on October 11, 1965, in Lake Charles, Louisiana, Flanery has successfully balanced his acting career with his passion for martial arts.Flanery began his martial arts journey at the age of nine, initially training in Karate and Taekwondo. However, his life changed dramatically when he first encountered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the mid-1990s. After witnessing the effectiveness of BJJ in the early Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) events, Flanery became intrigued by the discipline.His formal BJJ training began when he met Rickson Gracie, a legendary figure in the art. Flanery immediately signed up for classes and, despite being "comprehensively destroyed" in his first session, he was hooked. This experience sparked a lifelong dedication to BJJ that has run parallel to his acting career.Flanery's commitment to BJJ is evident in his achievements:

1. He earned his black belt on May 4, 2008, under Shawn Williams, who is part of the Renzo Gracie lineage.
2. Flanery has competed successfully in BJJ tournaments. He placed first in the Master 1/Blue/Male/Light division at both the 2003 American National IBJJF Jiu-jitsu Championship and the 2003 Pan Jiu-jitsu IBJJF Championship.
3. As of 2024, Flanery holds the rank of 4th-degree black belt in BJJ.

Beyond his personal practice, Flanery is dedicated to spreading knowledge of the art:

1. He owns and operates Hollywood Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, an academy in West Hollywood, California, where he regularly teaches when his acting schedule permits.
2. Flanery has incorporated his BJJ knowledge into his acting career, most notably in the film "Born a Champion" (2021), which he wrote and starred in. The movie pays homage to old-school, practical BJJ techniques.

Flanery's approach to BJJ emphasizes its practical, "ugly" effectiveness rather than flashy techniques. He believes in the power of BJJ not just as a martial art but as a life skill, supporting its inclusion in school curricula.Throughout his career, Flanery has been an advocate for the safety of grappling-based martial arts compared to striking-focused sports, arguing that the ability to take a fight to the ground significantly reduces the risk of concussions.Sean Patrick Flanery's dedication to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, both as a practitioner and an instructor, alongside his successful acting career, has made him a respected figure in both the BJJ community and the entertainment industry.