Helio Gracie was a Brazilian martial artist and one of the founders of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Born on October 1, 1913, he was known for adapting traditional Judo techniques to create a style that emphasized leverage and technique over brute strength. This made the martial art accessible to people of all sizes and abilities. Gracie's contributions to martial arts extended beyond his own practice; he also established the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Rio de Janeiro. His teachings and philosophy have influenced countless practitioners worldwide, and he is often credited with popularizing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a key component of mixed martial arts.