Greg Eldred, owner of Indianapolis Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu LLC, is one of very few Americans that can claim he's been practicing Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for over 33 years, and he was the first jiu-jitsu instructor in central Indiana. He began his training at the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Torrance, CA in January 1991. He spent 3 years as a student at the Gracie Academy training under Rorion, Royce, Rickson, and Royler Gracie.
In 1993 Greg relocated to Cincinnati, OH and started one of the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Associations in the United States, under Rorion and Royce. Then, in 1996 he relocated to Indianapolis, IN and headed the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Training Association there for 4 1/2 years. He was promoted to Purple Belt by Royce Gracie in June 1999 after winning an eight man no time limit invitational tournament arranged by Royce. Over the years Greg has had the privilege of training with most of Grand Master Helio Gracie's sons; Rorion, Royce, Rickson, Royler, Relson, and Rolker Gracie, and greatly appreciates those friendships and experiences.
In May 2001, Greg became a certified instructor and affiliate under Carlos "Caique" Elias, and was promoted to the elite status of Black Belt in November 2005. Greg continues to train under Master Caique and has him visit his academy in Indianapolis on a regular basis. Because of his extensive training, knowledge, and experience, Greg provides one of the best sources of Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu martial arts instruction in the State of Indiana. Greg was promoted to the level of 4th degree Black Belt in November 2019, and is certified from the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation of Rio de Janiero, Brazil. He is also a member and certified academy of Rickson Gracie's Jiu Jitsu Global Federation.
Besides his jiu-jitsu experience, Greg is an Indiana native who graduated from Purdue University in 1985 with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology. In his 23 year professional career, he worked 8 years as an engineer at Hughes Aircraft Company in southern California building advanced space systems. He then relocated back to the midwest and for 7 years held sales and marketing positions for Delphi Automotive Systems, in Cincinnati, OH, and Kokomo, IN. Then for 8 years Greg was a Systems Engineer for Delphi Automotive Systems in Kokomo, IN developing airbag control systems. Throughout Greg’s professional career he was labeled an exceptional performer, and received numerous awards and recognitions for his contributions and efforts.
All the while being an engineer, Greg managed to make jiu-jitsu a major part of his life. His engineering background and experience as a professional transcends into his jiu-jitsu life. Greg pays attention to detail, and does not merely know how something is done, but why it is done. He is an effective communicator and is able to explain techniques and moves to his students in a logical and understandable way. He has a wealth of jiu-jitsu knowledge where his LINEAGE comes directly from the Gracie family and Master Caique. Some of his students has said Greg is a “walking encyclopedia”. Now, Greg is retired from engineering and runs his jiu-jitsu academy full time. He has a wife Kim and 3 sons.