About Us
Carlson Gracie Green Valley is proud to carry on the tradition of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Henderson. Alongside two other Carlson Gracie gyms in the area, we work to help each student find themselves through training. Whether you are looking to get in shape, learn self-defense skills, compete on the big stage, or find a supportive community, you can thrive on our mats. Every day is an opportunity to learn and grow—and we hope to see you join us!
Check out our schedule!
Are you trying to find the right time to fit Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training into your weekly calendar? Then be sure to check out the BJJ schedule in our academy. We have training Monday-Saturday for you to balance out your personal time!
Take a look at our programs!
There are plenty of programs to join with us. If you are looking for kids, homeschooled, adults, or women’s Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Henderson, we got it! Each program was created to allow students to receive tailored instruction that they can use to better themselves on and off the mat. Check them out to find the best one for you and your family!
Celebrate with our Birthday Parties!
Are you looking for a fun, unique way to celebrate your child’s big day? Carlson Gracie Green Valley offers exciting birthday parties that combine action, games, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in a safe, family-friendly environment. Give your child a one-of-a-kind birthday experience filled with fun memories, active entertainment, and an unforgettable time on the mats!
Sign up for our Law Enforcement/Military discount!
It is important to us to help support those who may use martial arts in their daily lives. We’ve done this through our Law Enforcement and Military discount. If you serve in one of these two groups, you can join us at a discounted rate! Get started today and build upon your skills!
Sign up for a FREE week of BJJ classes!
You can start your journey with us on the mats with no charge.
Come join us for a FREE week of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training and see if we are the right fit for you!
Our Jiu-Jitsu
Instructors
The Carlson Gracie Green Valley team has a wealth of experience to help students. Alongside years of training and a filled trophy case, each of our coaches is passionate about helping change lives through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. You can learn more about them by checking out their bios below.
Heidi Garwood
Owner | Black Belt
Heidi is a 1st Degree Carlson Gracie black belt under Romulo Caiado at Carlson Gracie Henderson who began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012. Originally from Billings, Montana, Heidi built her early competitive experience traveling to tournaments throughout the Northwest before moving to Henderson, Nevada in 2019, where she continued competing in IBJJF events.
Since opening Carlson Gracie Green Valley in 2022, her passion for teaching, especially women and children, has continued to grow. As both a Jiu-Jitsu professor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Heidi is passionate about the connection between mental and physical wellness and how Jiu-Jitsu can positively impact confidence, resilience, and healing.
Heidi is also the founder of Dynamic Counseling Whole Body Wellness, where she combines mental health support and functional nutrition through a whole-body approach to wellness. Learn more at Dynamic Counseling Whole Body Wellness. She is committed to helping students build confidence, resilience, and growth both on and off the mats.
Accomplishments
2019 IBJJF Masters Worlds Bronze Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Open Gold Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Open Absolute Gold Medal
2022- American Nationals Gi and No-Gi Silver Medalist
2022- Master’s Worlds Silver Medalist
2022- Pan Ams silver medalist
2023- Worlds No-Gi Bronze Medalist and Open Class Bronze Medalist
2024- American Nationals No-Gi Champion
2025- European No-Gi Masters Champion
2025- World No-Gi Master Champion
Mike Garwood
Owner | Black Belt
Mike is a black belt under Romulo Caiado at Carlson Gracie Henderson. He began training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2013 and brings a strong background in wrestling and MMA that has shaped his overall grappling style.
He has a passion for teaching and coaching across all aspects of combat sports, with a focus on helping students build solid fundamentals, confidence, and a well-rounded skill set on the mats. He also plays an important role in helping create the family-oriented environment that students and families have come to know and love at Carlson Gracie Green Valley.
Accomplishments
2015 CBJJD Rio Gold Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Open Bronze Medal
2019 IBJJF Phoenix Open Gold Medal
2019 IBJJF Phoenix Open Absolute Bronze Medal
2022 Pan Am Champion-Black Belt
2024 San Diego Open Open Class Champ- Black Belt
2024 American Nationals No-Gi Champion- Black Belt
Esther Garwood
Black Belt
Esther is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Romulo Caiado at Carlson Gracie Henderson. She began training at just 7 years old in Billings, Montana, developing a lifelong foundation in martial arts from an early age. In 2019, she moved to Las Vegas and continued her training at Carlson Gracie Henderson. In 2022, her family opened Carlson Gracie Green Valley, where she serves as a professor and head coach for both the kids and adult programs.
Esther is an avid competitor and brings that same competitive experience into her teaching. She is deeply passionate about coaching and is known for her structured, detail-oriented approach on the mats. She takes pride in helping students of all ages build strong fundamentals, confidence, and discipline through consistent training and a love for Jiu-Jitsu. She is accomplished in both Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and wrestling and continues to dedicate herself to refining her craft while guiding others in their journey.
Accomplishments
2018 IBJJF Las Vegas Kids International Bronze Medal
2019 IBJJF Las Vegas Kids International Gold Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Kids International Gold Medal
2021 IBJJF American National Gold Medal
2021 IBJJF American National Absolute Gold Medal
2021 IBJJF American National No-Gi Silver Medal
2021 IBJJF American National No-Gi Absolute Gold Medal
2022 World No-Gi Champion Purple Belt
2022 World Bronze Medalist
2022 American Nationals Silver Medalist Purple Belt
2022 Jiu Jitsu Con Champion Purple Belt
2023 American Nationals Silver Medalist Brown Belt
2023 Jiu Jitsu Con Champion Brown Belt
2024 Pan Ams Bronze Medalist- Brown Belt
2024 American Nationals Gi Champion
2024 American Nationals No-Gi Silver Medalist
2025- European- Black Belt No-Gi Silver Medalist
2025- World- Black Belt No-Gi Bronze Medalist
Esther has won several IBJJF Opens and multiple superfights.
Dominic Bailey
Black Belt
Dominic is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt who earned his rank under Chad Robichaux and Jared Chaffee in Houston, Texas. He began training in 2013 and moved to Henderson in 2022, where he now trains under Romulo Caiado at Carlson Gracie Henderson.
An active competitor, Dominic travels across the country competing alongside his family. He also refines his craft by refereeing and helping run large-scale local tournaments, in addition to organizing in-house competitions that give kids the opportunity to build confidence, gain experience, and test their skills in a supportive environment. He is passionate about sharing his knowledge and enjoys helping both kids and adults grow in their Jiu-Jitsu journey.
Accomplishments
2019 Las Vegas Open Bronze Medalist
2020 IBJJF Austin Open Double Silver
2020 Atlanta Open Double Gold
2020 IBJJF Houston Open Double Bronze
2021 Jiu Jitsu Con Gold Medalist
2022 IBJJF Austin Open Gi and Nogi Silver Medalist
2022 IBJJF Dallas Open Nogi Silver Medalist
2022 IBJJF Los Angeles Open Bronze Medalist
2022 American Nationals Gi and Nogi Bronze Medalist
2023 Houston Open Nogi Bronze Medalist
20+Submission Hunter Pro Grappling matches
James Edwards
Black Belt
James is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt training under Romulo Caiado at Carlson Gracie.
He began his journey in 1999 under Julio “Foca” Fernandez, progressing from white to purple belt before earning his brown belt at Cascao. After moving to Henderson, he joined Carlson Gracie Green Valley, where he earned his black belt and continues to sharpen his skills and deepen his understanding of Jiu-Jitsu.
James currently leads the 5:45 a.m. program and also helps coach kids classes.
Words from Our Community
We work to make Carlson Gracie-Green Valley the best Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu academy in Henderson and the Las Vegas area. Students can come in – no matter how much they’ve trained – and find a home right away. The community and high-level instruction make for a wonderful experience. But you don’t need to just take our word for it. You can see what some of our students have said about why we’ve become their home for BJJ training!
“My favorite thing about this gym is that they are a safe space for women! They offer weekly women’s self defense classes. Stop by, you won’t regret it!”
“This is an amazing gym with an incredible community! Great instructors and group of people. Highly recommend this gym to anyone looking to train Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu!”
“Super friendly gym! Dropped in for a few rolls before my competition. Super nice people and gym, great rolls, and great atmosphere!”
“The instructors at this facility are truly exceptional. The 6am classes provide an experience akin to private lessons, offering focused attention and personalized guidance.”
“Instructors are knowledgeable, have experience at a competitive level & have the most incredible patience while teaching the younger generation of bulldogs.”
Our Academy Schedule!
Check out the training schedule at Carlson Gracie Green Valley. We offer Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes throughout the week with convenient morning, afternoon, and evening sessions for kids, adults, and women of all experience levels.
Level Up with the
Carlson Gracie Green Valley Team
Everything done at Carlson Gracie Green Valley is done to help students progress on and off the mat through Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. We make sure to help students looking for fitness, competition, or self-defense and create an experience that is truly special. You can check out our offers and join our family for a life changing journey on our mats!
Contact Us!
We’re proud to offer welcoming, high-level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training in Henderson and proudly serve students from Las Vegas and Boulder City. Our academy is conveniently located near the intersection of Horizon Ridge Parkway and Arroyo Grande Boulevard. Whether you’re brand new to Jiu-Jitsu or an experienced grappler, we’d love to welcome you to the team.