A distinguished professor in the Heersink School of Medicine, a professor in the Department of Surgery, and holder of the Champ Lyons Endowed Chair in General Surgery, Aurelio Galli, Ph.D., D.S.c, was introduced to martial arts at age 6, when his father enrolled him in judo to manage his frequent falls. Growing up in northern Italy, Aurelio swiftly excelled, becoming a multiple-time regional champion and achieving a brown belt.

Despite his early success, Galli’s judo career faced an abrupt halt due to a medical condition. "I had to quit when I went for a competitive screening in Italy because they found out I was myopic and were concerned about retinal detachment," he explained.

Years later, it was his daughter who steered him towards Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ). "Around the time of COVID, my daughter suggested I try a Brazilian jiu-jitsu place she saw," Galli shared. He soon found himself drawn back to the competitive arena and began to train more consistently and compete regularly about a year and a half ago.

Balancing his professional responsibilities with his training is no small feat for Galli. "When I don't have grants, I try to train as much as I can. My gym, SBG Spartan Academy, is open every day except Sunday," he explained.

Competing in BJJ has brought Galli both recognition and personal satisfaction. "This year, I competed in the Pan American and won, which is one of the top three competitions," he said. His dedication saw him place first several times in the Nashville and Atlanta Opens and he placed second in an open weight category in Atlanta, even while battling an injury.

The sport has not only been a physical outlet but also a source of camaraderie and community for Galli. "Brazilian jiu-jitsu is very relaxing and excellent for cardiovascular health. The community is welcoming and nonjudgmental, which I appreciate," he shared.

This inclusive environment is one of the many reasons he recommends BJJ to others. "It's an incredible sport, great for fitness and self-defense, especially for smaller individuals," Galli said.

Galli reflects on his current standings with pride. "As a master competitor, I'm currently ranked number two in my weight and belt division and number 19 overall across all weight divisions," he shared. For Galli, BJJ is more than just a sport. "I think Brazilian jiu-jitsu offers various levels of engagement, from casual to competitive. It's less about winning and more about mutual respect and personal growth," Galli said.

-Kayla Gibson