Victoria’s Secret model Gracie Carvalho was born and raised in Sao Paolo, Brazil, a place with a deep martial arts history. Despite being from the birthplace of Brazilian Jiu-Jjitsu (and also being named Gracie), Carvalho gravitated not towards grappling and submission fighting when seeking out a martial art to practice, but instead found Muay Thai to be more to her liking.

I go hard. I do Muay Thai, Thai boxing. I go all the way to Thailand sometimes to train with guys, so I think that is the hardest because sometimes I hurt myself, the beautiful Carvalho told TMZ when asked about her toughest workout in preparation to walk the runway at Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show.

Gracie Carvalho was discovered and signed by Brazil’s Way Management in Brazil in 2007. She quickly gained a great deal of notoriety and in June of 2008 became the most requested model at Brazil’s Fashion Week, walking in an astounding 35 of 39 shows. Her success continued in 2010, when she became one of the faces of Tommy Hilfiger. After appearing on the cover of every major fashion magazine and modeling for many of the most sought after designers, Carvalho achieved what is the dream of thousands of models the world over and signed a contract to model for Victoria’s Secret.

While martial arts training is great to help one achieve or maintain physical fitness, the visually stunning Gracie Carvalho would be best advised to remember her face is her money maker and to always remember rule number one: protect yourself at all times.

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