Ivanka Trump's entry into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was not the result of a deliberate search for a new martial art — it was her daughter Arabella's growing enthusiasm for the sport in the early 2020s that opened the door. What began as a parental routine of driving Arabella to class gradually became personal curiosity, and then full participation. Starting the art in her 40s, Ivanka's journey stands as a compelling example of how BJJ rewards commitment at any stage of life.

The ripple effect within the household was swift. Her two sons, watching their mother and sister head to the mat with increasing regularity, wanted in. Jared Kushner followed suit, ensuring jiu-jitsu became a genuinely shared family pursuit rather than a solo endeavor. What started as one child's interest had quietly reshaped the entire family's routine.

A Lineage Rooted in Traditional Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Ivanka Trump trains at the Valente Brothers academy in Miami, Florida, under one of the most respected families in traditional Gracie jiu-jitsu. The Valente Brothers have built their reputation on a self-defense-oriented curriculum rooted in the original methodology of Hélio Gracie, prioritizing practical technique and personal development over sport competition.

Among her primary coaches is Joaquim Valente, widely recognized within and beyond the BJJ community for his work with high-profile students, including supermodel Gisele Bündchen. Under the Valentes' guidance, Ivanka engages with a curriculum that extends well beyond physical drilling — it encompasses self-defense principles, character development, and a structured philosophical framework drawn from Samurai tradition.

The 753 Code

Central to the academy's teaching is its "753 code," a set of Samurai-inspired values encompassing respect, honesty, and courage. The entire Trump-Kushner family has embraced this code. Ivanka has noted that her children have memorized the academy's 15-point code of conduct, applying its principles — discipline, respect, and courage among them — as a moral framework in their daily lives.

After only a few years of consistent training, Ivanka Trump earned the rank of blue belt within the Valente Brothers' traditional Gracie jiu-jitsu framework. The blue belt represents a meaningful milestone in any practitioner's development, signifying a solid foundational understanding of BJJ's core techniques, positional concepts, and defensive principles.

For an adult who entered the art in her 40s, reaching blue belt reflects the kind of dedicated, regular mat time the rank demands. It is an earned progression — one that speaks to Ivanka's commitment to the practice beyond casual participation. Her children have similarly advanced through the academy's junior ranking system, earning their own belts through consistent attendance, making the family's collective progression a shared point of pride.

Ivanka Trump's approach to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is shaped by a clear philosophy: the art is a vehicle for empowerment and protection, not athletic competition. She has not pursued sport jiu-jitsu tournaments, and this aligns naturally with the Valente Brothers' teaching tradition, which traces its lineage directly to Hélio Gracie's original self-defense methodology.

Her training sessions center on drilling escapes, submissions, and situational techniques designed for real-world safety scenarios. The emphasis is on functional competence — knowing how to respond effectively in a threatening situation — rather than point-scoring strategies or competition-specific game plans. This practical orientation gives her training personal meaning, reinforcing a sense of security and capability that sport-focused training might not provide in the same way.

Problem-Solving on the Mat

Beyond the physical demands of grappling, Ivanka Trump has spoken extensively about the mental and philosophical dimensions that drew her deeper into the practice. She has described BJJ as "almost like a moving meditation" — a characterization that captures the focused, present-moment awareness the art demands. The constant problem-solving on the mat, reading an opponent's movement, anticipating transitions, and selecting the appropriate response, leaves little room for distraction, creating mindfulness through motion.

She has also likened the strategic complexity of grappling to playing "three-dimensional chess," an analogy that reflects her appreciation for the intellectual challenge embedded in the art. For Ivanka, BJJ is not simply a workout but a continuous cognitive exercise that engages the mind and body simultaneously in a way few other activities offer.

Philosophical and Historical Roots

Her engagement extends to the philosophical and historical foundations of the discipline as well. Ivanka has noted that there is a "real spiritualism" to the practice — a grounding in Samurai-era tradition, culture, and wisdom that gives the physical training a deeper sense of meaning and context. The Valente Brothers' integration of these historical principles into their curriculum has resonated with her, reinforcing the idea that jiu-jitsu is as much an intellectual and spiritual pursuit as it is a physical one.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu introduced a structured and intensive fitness dimension to Ivanka Trump's life that had not previously been central to her routine. Before training, her exercise habits were relatively informal — occasional runs and recreational sports — without a dedicated framework for strength or functional movement. Jiu-jitsu changed that, bringing consistent strength development, improved body awareness, and the conditioning that comes from live grappling and drilling.

Perhaps more significantly, Ivanka has credited BJJ with a tangible boost in personal confidence. Possessing practical self-defense skills — the knowledge that she can protect herself or manage a threatening physical situation — has contributed to a deeper sense of security in her daily life. She has suggested this psychological benefit is as valuable as any physical gain.

To complement her grappling practice, Ivanka incorporates weight training, hiking, and tennis into her broader approach to health, creating a well-rounded routine in which BJJ serves as both the centerpiece and the catalyst for a more intentional relationship with physical wellbeing.

Jiu-jitsu has evolved into one of the defining shared activities of the Trump-Kushner family. Arabella was the spark — her early enthusiasm for martial arts was the reason Ivanka first set foot in the Valente Brothers academy. From there, the practice spread organically: Ivanka began training herself, her sons joined after watching their mother and sister on the mat, and Jared Kushner committed to training so the family could share the experience fully.

All three children participate in kids' classes and have earned junior rank belts, reflecting genuine engagement with the curriculum. The family collectively adheres to the academy's "753 code," a Samurai-inspired set of values that has become woven into the household's sense of identity and daily conduct. Ivanka has noted that her children apply these principles — discipline, respect, honesty, and courage — not just in the gym but as a broader moral framework in their lives.

The enthusiasm has spread beyond the immediate household as well, with other members of the broader Trump family taking up the martial art, further extending the reach of what began as a single child's interest in a Miami dojo.

Ivanka Trump has used her public platform to speak openly about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, sharing glimpses of her training on social media and discussing the practice in interviews. Her advocacy is grounded in personal experience — the confidence, fitness, and sense of empowerment she has gained from the art inform the genuine enthusiasm with which she recommends it to others.

She has expressed the belief that grappling and self-defense skills are "good for everyone," regardless of age, background, or athletic history. Her own story — beginning in her 40s with no prior martial arts experience — serves as a persuasive argument for the accessibility of BJJ. She has been particularly vocal about encouraging women and children to explore the art, framing it as a path to fitness, confidence, and inner strength rather than solely as a competitive sport.

Through her visibility and advocacy, Ivanka has also contributed to broader awareness of the Valente Brothers' approach and the traditional Gracie jiu-jitsu philosophy that underpins it — a curriculum that, as her own journey illustrates, is as transformative off the mat as it is on it.