Read parts one and two of Jeff Glover Uncovered

History's favorite heroes are often the underdogs. Who would have thought the insecure little boy from East Los Angeles -- who grew up in a fatherless home, who was the only white kid in his neighborhood, who was bullied, wild, and uncontrollable and was suspended from school twice a year -- would become a renowned jiu-jitsu superstar? 

Over the course of his 17-year career in the gentle art, Jeff Glover has become a hero of sorts to thousands of jiu-jitsu players. His Facebook and Instagram inboxes are flooded daily by people -- men, women, kids -- thanking him for being an inspiration. And it's not because Glover is some kind of saint among the jiu-jitsu community. He would never claim that. 

It's because he thoroughly and genuinely loves jiu-jitsu, which shows in his unorthodox style and showmanship. 


Jeff Glover in action versus Justin Rader at Fight To Win Pro. Photo: Mike Calimbas

It's because he's fearless in facing larger and stronger opponents. It's because he's not afraid to lose, and if he loses, he "takes it like a man." And it's because he's unapologetically real. 

Importantly, Glover never sought such fame.

My goal was just to enjoy myself," he said. "I wasn't trying to be some famous figure. It just so happened that people were motivated and inspired by the fun I have. Maybe that's the only way people can look up to other people. Maybe those are the only people who are truly inspirational are the ones that don't try to be.

"Because some people, they need people to look up to them. They want adoration. And I think other people can smell that shit, can sense it and it feels very fake. But when you see somebody who is honest about their mistakes -- makes mistakes -- but still drives through and does what other people want to do… they achieve those goals, and they just do it for themselves… For some reason, people will gravitate toward that, like 'God damnit, I want to be like that guy.'"


In the process of "just having fun," jiu-jitsu transformed him. 

Between the discipline that jiu-jitsu demands and the passion it elicits, as well as the firm but loving guidance of Franjinha, Glover found control and purpose in his chaotic world. 

He dedicated his life to jiu-jitsu, and in return, it awarded him with opportunities he would have never had otherwise. 

All because of jiu-jitsu I've been able to experience life in ways that no one in my family ever has, and no one in my family probably ever will," he said. "And I'm so lucky for that.

Glover has traveled the world, competing at the highest levels, giving seminars, and coaching. He's become nearly fluent in Portuguese. He's been given leadership positions at various academies. He's taught himself public speaking -- infused with a generous sprinkling of witty sarcasm and colorful curse words -- in order to instruct and coach better. He's fought against other superstars in the sport, and win or lose, his matches are some of the most-watched jiu-jitsu videos out there.


Glover rips on a heelhook versus Daniel Hortegas at ADCC 2015 in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Photo: Hywel Teague

He makes a living doing what he loves, and people pay him for his knowledge. 

"Now I'm at a point... I was talking seminars… I'm like a drug dealer for jiu-jitsu moves," he said. "I go around the country, and I go to different schools, and I sell my jiu-jitsu moves to people. You know what I'm saying? That's what I do!

I give two-hour seminars, and I give these guys my moves. It's kind of like they're fiends. They're jiu-jitsu fiends, and they need another f***ing hit. They're like, 'Yo, what's that new move?! What's that move that I don't know that's going to make my game better?' And I'm like, 'I'm here for you, dawg. What you need? You need that deep half guard? Shhh, keep it on the low. Ninety bucks… What you got?' You know what I'm saying? I probably would have been a drug dealer if I didn't find jits.

And yet, he still battles with himself.

At times his social anxiety attempts to overwhelm him, but his responsibility as a coach forces him to step on the mat. Sometimes he loses his patience with students or friends, his words delivered with a cutting edge, but he'll later acknowledge his mistake, smoke some weed, and apologize. At times his childhood insecurities threaten to boil over, but his drive and dedication to jiu-jitsu pushes him to go further. 

Maybe it's this realness -- the fact that Glover has faults and openly admits them, has faced and continues to face personal challenges, and is able to succeed in spite of them -- that especially draws people. 

That, in turn, reminds him of his intrinsic worth in the jiu-jitsu community.

That's where I'm rich," he said. "I'm like the people's champ of jiu-jitsu. It's f***ng beautiful. It's the best thing in my life. It's better than any money that I'll ever have.