Carlson Gracie Green Valley
Instructors
At Carlson Gracie Green Valley we are a family, and our school is bound to become our students’ second home. We are a judgment-free zone, where mistakes are viewed as growth opportunities and your instructors and fellow students are your #1 supporters. You’ll learn a lot of impressive skills and gain many new abilities at Carlson Gracie Green Valley, but the most important thing you’ll acquire during your time here? Our community.
Carlson Gracie Green Valley
Instructors
Here Carlson Gracie Green Valley, our staff is the secret to our student success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!

Owner/Black Belt
Heidi Garwood
Biography
Heidi Garwood is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black belt under Romulo Caiado. She began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2012. Heidi has a passion for teaching kids self-defense and competition Jiu-Jitsu. She is excited to begin this new chapter at Carlson Gracie Green Valley.
Accomplishments
2019 IBJJF Masters Worlds Bronze Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Open Gold Medal
2019 IBJJF Long Beach Open Absolute Gold Medal
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Owner/Brown Belt
Mike Garwood
Biography
Mike Garwood is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt under Romulo Caiado. He began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2013. Prior to Jiu-Jitsu Mike had an extensive wrestling background and MMA. He has a passion for teaching and coaching all aspects of combat sports.
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
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Purple Belt
Esther Garwood
Biography
Esther Garwood is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Purple Belt under Romulo Caiado. She began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2011. She is an active competitor traveling to competitions throughout the United States. She enjoys teaching the kids programs and looks forward to this new 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
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Brown Belt
Michael Laci
Biography
Michael Laci is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt under Romulo Caiado. He began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2010. He has been teaching kids for the last four year. Michael is an active competitor. He looks forward to learning by teaching as he competes at the highest levels of Adult Jiu-Jitsu.
Accomplishments
2019 IBJJFLong Beach Open Bronze Medal
2019 IBJJF Phoenix Open Bronze Medal
2021 IBJJF American Nationals Bronze Medal
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