Carlson Gracie Green Valley
Instructors
Carlson Gracie Green Valley will build your strength and BJJ knowledge from the ground up. Starting with a strong foundation is the key to success in martial arts. We’ll progress at your pace and even modify classes to emulate the feeling of a private Jiu Jitsu lesson. Together we’ll adapt and accommodate to achieve your goals!
In addition to our adults and kids programs, the women’s Jiu Jitsu program at Carlson Gracie Green Valley is a force to be reckoned with. You can train comfortably from top-quality instructors in any program. The course is led by owner Mike Garwood’s daughter and wife. With his daughter being a world champion and his wife being a black belt, rest assured that you’re in great hands.
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 is a 1st Degree Carlson Gracie Black Belt under Romulo Caiado. She began training jiu jitsu in 2012. She has always enjoyed teaching women and kids but this passion has really grown since opening Carlson Gracie Green Valley in 2022. Heidi is also a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Her passion includes learning how the mind/body connection that is strengthened while training jiu jitsu benefits individuals who may be experiencing symptoms of depression and anxiety, or the negative impacts from trauma.
Heidi began her jiu jitsu journey in Billings Montana. While residing in Montana Heidi would travel to local tournaments around the state and in the neighboring states of Idaho and Colorado. After moving to Henderson, Nevada in June of 2019, Heidi began competing in IBJJF tournaments.
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
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Owner/Black Belt
Mike Garwood
Biography
Mike is a Carlson Gracie Black Belt under Romulo Caiado. He began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2013. Prior to Jiu-Jitsu Mike had an extensive wrestling background in 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
2022 Pan Am Champion-Black Belt
2024 San Diego Open Open Class Champ- Black Belt
2024 American Nationals No-Gi Champion- Black Bel
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Brown Belt
Esther Garwood
Biography
Esther Garwood is a Brazillian Jiu Jitsu brown belt under Romulo Caiado. She began training at the age of 7 in Billings Montana. In 2019 she moved to Las Vegas where she began training at Carlson Gracie Henderson. In 2022 her family opened Carlson Gracie Green Valley where she is the head kids and adults coach. She is accomplished in both Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.
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
Esther has won several IBJJF Opens and multiple superfights.
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Brown Belt
Dominic Bailey
Biography
Dominic Bailey is a Brazillian Jiu Jitsu brown under Chad Robichaux and Jaren Chaffee in Houston Texas. Dominic moved to Henderson in 2022 and now trains under Romulo Caiado. Dominic began training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2013. He is an active competitor competing and traveling all over the country with his family. One things he enjoys most is to just simply share all his knowledge and guidance to both the kids and adults.
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
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Brown Belt
James Edwards
Biography
James is a 4th-degree brown belt currently training under Heidi Garwood at Carlson Gracie Green Valley. James began training in 1999 under Julio “Foca” Ferndandez where he progressed from white belt to purple belt. James earned his brown belt at Cascao before moving to Henderson and joining Carlson Gracie Green Valley. He remains dedicated to improving his techniques and deepening his understanding of Brazillian Jiu Jitsu. James is the current instructor for the 6am program at Carlson Gracie Green Valley. He also enjoys helping coach the kid’s classes when available to do so.
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Black Belt
Michael Laci
Biography
Michael Laci is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black 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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Learn More About Our History:
Mike Garwood opened Carlson Gracie Green Valley in February of 2021. He has taught BJJ classes for over seven years, including a previous role at the Carlson Gracie Henderson location. With his entrepreneurial spirit, opening a Jiu Jitsu academy was always the end goal. During Mike’s training, his professor requested that he and his wife open a Carlson Gracie location in Green Valley, it was a no brainer. In a short time, the academy has already grown from zero to 105 students and counting. While Mike continues to live out his dream he remains most proud of the success of his students.