Henry Akins began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 at the Rickson Gracie Academy. Rickson Gracie presented Henry with his Black Belt, being the third American to receive the honor. Henry became the main instructor at the Rickson Gracie Academy until 2008 when he was forced to stop due to a back injury. He feels blessed to be able to share this art with others and to pass on the knowledge that was taught to him by the greatest Jiu-Jitsu practitioner ever.