Marcus Soares

The Story Began in Copacabana

Born and raised in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, Marcus Soares is Canada's only 9th-degree red belt and one of the pioneers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Canada. A member of the original Carlson Gracie team, he taught at the Carlson Gracie Academy in Copacabana before bringing authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu to Canada in 1997.

When Marcus arrived in Canada, he made a promise to his very first students: he would not leave until he had promoted at least one Canadian to black belt. Nearly 30 years later, that promise has grown into generations of black belts, instructors, academy owners, and three thriving academies dedicated to preserving authentic Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

A Lifetime Dedicated to Jiu-Jitsu

Marcus joined the Carlson Gracie team in 1970 and has spent more than five decades teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. While remaining true to the principles and techniques he learned from Carlson Gracie, he has continually refined the way the art is taught, developing a structured approach that helps students of all ages and experience levels succeed.

More Than a Lineage

A lineage is more than a name on a certificate. It represents decades of mentorship, trust, and shared values. Marcus Soares has spent more than 50 years preserving and passing on the lessons he learned from Carlson Gracie while helping generations of students, instructors, and academy owners carry those values forward.

• Direct student of Carlson Gracie since 1970
• Member of the original Carlson Gracie Team
• Former instructor at the Carlson Gracie Academy in Copacabana
• First black belt to open and teach a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Canada (1997)
• Canada's only 9th-degree red belt

As featured on CBC and in the Langley Advance Times.