RENZO GRACIE ACADEMY PORTLAND
OUR TEAM, OUR HISTORY, OUR LINEAGE
AARON MILAM HEAD INSTRUCTOR
THIRD DEGREE JIU JITSU BLACK BELT
Aaron Milam is the head instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy Portland and the cofounder of Workshop Jiu Jitsu. He has over 25 years of martial arts experience, 18 years of Jiu Jitsu. Aaron began training Jiu Jitu in Los Angeles under Carlson Gracie legend Rey “The King” Diogo, a time when Carlson Sr. was frequently in the gym with Rey. In 2005 graduate school brought him to New York city where he continued to train on Renzo Gracie team with John Danaher, under whom he was given his black belt in 2008. During this time period in New York, Aaron was described as “the most diverse and creative black belt under Danaher at the time”. Throughout his years of training he has competed in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Judo, and submission grappling, regionally and internationally. Aaron holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in philosophy.
Aaron’s style uniquely combines these two branches of the Gracie family as well as incorporating the best elements of wrestling and Judo. His academic background and close training under Professor Danaher have helped him to develop an advanced teaching ability rarely found in the jiu jitsu community. Aaron is a frequent instructor to blackbelts of many schools, a featured instructor at the BJJ Globetrotter camps, an invited outside expert on The Grappler’s Guide, and regularly travels nationally and internationally for seminars.
Our History
Aaron headed the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu program at a NYC multi-discipline combat sports gym for about 8 years before partnering with his teammate Jin Yung and rebranding that team as Workshop Jiu Jitsu. Renzo Gracie Portland maintains affiliation with that Workshop as well as with the larger Team Renzo Gracie. Workshop Jiu Jitsu has a third affiliated school led by Professor Larry Hope in Honolulu, HI.
Workshop – Portland / RGA PDX was founded in 2013. Since opening, we have attracted some of the most talented local athletes and instructors as well as being the home of the Portland Fire grappling team. We pride ourselves on maintaining the finest instruction available and a school culture where everyone can develop towards their own personal goals , whether that is high level competition, recreation, self-defense, or general fitness.
Renzo Gracie Academy Portland has built itself at the center of the Portland jiu jitsu community; for years we hosted to the weekly all city open mat. We host Portland Judo’s monthly Shiai Judo tournament as well as our own seasonal tournament – the Portland Sunday Open.
Carsten
Instructor - black belt
Carsten Carlsen started training jiu jitsu in the summer of 2011 after moving to Portland from Wisconsin. Having wrestled in high school and college, jiu jitsu spoke to him in a way no other martial art had. The drive to continue his grappling knowledge and continue to compete eventually led him to begin training with Aaron in the winter of 2014. Carsten was promoted to brown belt in Sept 2016. He continues to compete locally and nationally, and teaches daily at the academy.
Trevor
Instructor - brown belt
Trevor Pettigrew started his martial arts journey in 2006 under Lotus Club Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) black belt, Pete Loncarevich (Joe Moreira), under whom he earned his blue and purple belts. In 2012, Trevor moved to Seattle for graduate school. During this time, Trevor studied with BJJ black belt Andrew Perkins (Dave Ginsberg), and was awarded his BJJ brown belt in early 2014. Trevor’s Jiu Jitsu style combines a sweep oriented bottom game with heavy pressure guard passing and dynamic submission attacks. Trevor also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies and a Doctorate degree in physical therapy.
Hannah Sharp
Brown belt - Head of women’s team an kids program
Hannah Sharp started jiu jitsu in June 2012 and is presently a purple belt under Renzo Gracie Portland head instructor Aaron Milam. She started jiu jitsu at a small gym in California and received her blue belt from Kurt Osiander at Ralph Gracie San Francisco. Hannah is an active competitor and leads the kids jiu jitsu program and women’s team classes
Eddie Jamrog
Brown belt - Adult and kids coach
Eddie Jamrog began his fighting sport endeavors when a friend of his, knowing that Eddie was a former high school wrestler, introduced him to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Eddie began studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Reno, Nevada in 2009, and eventually earned his blue belt under Gary Grate (Charles Gracie). In 2011, Eddie began training western boxing under Ryan Simpson of Reno City Boxing.
Tyler Crain
Brown belt - Kids Coach
Tyler Crain began training Jiu-Jitsu in 2012 with Garth Taylor in Santa Cruz, California where he received his blue belt in 2014. From there he moved to Sacramento, California and trained with Cassio Werneck and Derek DiManno. In 2015 he moved to Portland for graduate school and began training with Aaron Milam. He received his brown belt from Aaron in September 2018.
Jared Lawrence
Purple belt - Kids Coach
Jared Lawrence started his jiu jitsu journey in May 2012. He received his purple belt from Diego Bispo in Virginia Beach, Virginia while he was active duty with the Coast Guard. Jared separated from the Coast Guard and made the cross country move to Portland to pursue training under Head Coach Aaron Milam. He currently teaches kids classes and is an active competitor.
Sara Murphy
Tumbling Coach (kids age 3-4)
Sara Murphy began her study of Jiu Jitsu in 2015. Previous to that she trained and taught Capoeira for 6 years. She has over 12 years of teaching experience, in everything from Snowboarding to Science. Among her many passions are wellness and helping kids to better understand and move their bodies.
After graduating with a bachelor’s in Anthropology and a minor in Environmental Studies, she went on to teach Gardening and Environmental Science to K-5 students at Portland public schools.
