Gracie PAC MMA

My 8 year old daughter started taking MMA classes at Gracie Pac about 2 months ago under the direction of Coach Cris Rodriguez, and I cannot say enough about her, her staff & the amazing program they offer.
A little back story: previously, my daughter was a ballet dancer and a cheerleader (and one of the quiter ones at that) so imagine my surprise when my sweet natured, quiet, girly, somewhat reserved, tiny little thing said she wanted to learn MMA… ooook. great. WHAT?!
I was clueless.
Thankfully, my fiancée was not. He heard all about Cris, her highly decorated personal martial arts journey, & that there shouldn’t be another choice for our daughter’s instruction.
I had other (motherly) reservations. Would she be NICE to my daughter? Would she allow her some breathing time to get up to speed with the more experienced kids? Would she get my daughter to LIKE it because I know her oh-​so-​well and she’s going to haaaate this?
At her first class, my anxieties & reservations we’re very quickly quieted. Coach Cris was so warm and welcoming to my daughter. Her spirit flows into her students, because THEY were also warm and welcoming. There were no judgements, no giggling when someone messed up, none of that nonsense. Everyone there was there to learn, do & have some fun as well.
There was a two week gap from that first class to when my daughter actually started attending classes regularly. To my pleasant surprise, Coach Cris still knew her name & welcomed her back as if she were family.
In the time that she’s been training at Gracie Pac, I’ve seen an utter transformation in my child. She trains at home when she doesn’t have class, she makes healthier eating choices on her own, and is growing into a more confident young girl.
If MMA is something you’re looking to involve your child in, this gym really is the only option you should consider. Trust me. I highly doubt you doubt more than I do. :)