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MMA For Kids Story on CBS News Tampa, Florida
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Tampa, Fl - Move over Karate, an Evolution is taking place in Martial Arts for children! MMA is the hot new Martial Art!

Gracie Barra Evolution, run by Professor Ryan Cook, is not your average Martial Arts School. In fact, most Martial Arts school’s do not teach what Evolution teaches. Evolution has advanced from traditional Martial Arts as they do not help much in real-world self-defense. Evolution teaches kids the same MMA as an adult professional fighter.


However, with this power comes responsibility and Professor Cook stresses to his student’s how and when to use their MMA skills. Being confident, but humble, helping others, and being a good role model is highly expected of these young students. Evolution’s philosophy behind their kid’s program is to provide children with the following benefits: teach real-world self-defense, improve confidence, coordination, discipline, respect, focus, and physical fitness.

There are not many Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belts teaching children; in fact, Professor Cook is the only one in the Tampa Bay area. Evolution caters to youth ages 3 and up and work with a diverse group of children. “Some of the children are from broken homes and need the ‘father figure’ in their life. It is my responsibility to take on the role as the positive male figure in their life” explained Professor Cook.

To learn more about Professor Ryan Cook, Gracie Barra Evolution including class schedule, or to find out when their next tournament will be visit: http://www.graciebarraevolution.com.

To schedule an interview, print work, or television work with Professor Ryan Cook please contact Christina Mitchell, (813) 458-6787; cmmitchell1984@yahoo.com;cmitchell@mediaproductions.tv


About Professor Ryan Cook

At age thirteen, Ryan began his martial arts training in a modern style of Tae Kwon Do / Kickboxing at the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Martial Arts. A childhood friend introduced Ryan to the school and to the idea of training in the martial arts. Initially he intended to train just two days a week as a casual hobby. After the first week of classes, he was hooked. Six days a week, five hours a day, and there was no stopping his thirst for knowledge for the martial arts. Once the brown belt level had been achieved, Ryan began teaching as an assistant instructor.


By age sixteen, Ryan broke a record at the Jhoon Rhee Institute of Martial Arts in obtaining his first degree black belt. Within six months of becoming a black belt he found himself in the position of head instructor at the school.

Ryan felt like his training needed to expand beyond the striking arts. The art of Shorinji Kempo was to be his next undertaking. Master Max Robin taught Ryan the wrist locks and falling techniques involved in Shorinji Kempo for several years. Ryan trained in two systems of martial arts at the same time and earned his black belt in Shorinji Kempo and second degree black in Tae Kwon Do / Kickboxing.

In late 1993, he found what was to be his ultimate passion in the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. In March of 1996, Ryan received his blue belt from the infamous Rickson Gracie. Several years later he began studying Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu under his current Professor, Eduardo "Veio" de Lima. After over fourteen years of intense training, Ryan earned the coveted rank of Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Beyond the capacity to perform physically at a high level, Ryan has the unique ability to relay his knowledge to others. Whether teaching a young child how to interact with his/her peers, or a semi-professional fighter how to submit his opponent, Ryan has the patience and understanding to help all of his students. Giving back to the community and helping others is what the martial arts are really all about. Ryan strives to give his students the confidence and passion for life that the martial arts can provide.

Ryan has been teaching martial arts for approximately seventeen years. The school’s previous name and owner was Bill Heimberger’s Jhoon Rhee Institute of Martial Arts. Approximately three years ago, Ryan and Ryan’s father, Robert Cook, purchased the school from Bill Heimberger. The school became known as Evolution Martial Arts. The name was chosen because just like technology evolves, so do the martial arts.

Approximately two years ago Evolution became an official Gracie Barra Academy under Carlos Gracie Jr. The school name then became Gracie Barra Evolution Martial Arts.



To learn more about Professor Ryan Cook, Gracie Barra Evolution including class schedule, or to find out when their next tournament will be visit: http://www.graciebarraevolution.com.

To schedule an interview, print work, or television work with Professor Ryan Cook please contact Christina Mitchell, (813) 458-6787; cmmitchell1984@yahoo.com;cmitchell@mediaproductions.tv