RENZO GRACIE ACADEMY PORTLAND
OUR TEAM, OUR HISTORY, OUR LINEAGE
HEAD INSTRUCTOR: AARON MILAM
FOURTH DEGREE JIU JITSU BLACK BELT
Aaron Milam is the head instructor at Renzo Gracie Academy Portland and the co-founder of Workshop Jiu Jitsu. He began training Jiu Jitu in Los Angeles under Carlson Gracie legend Rey “The King” Diogo in 2000, 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”. Aaron also holds a black belt in Judo.
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. He is a former featured instructor at the BJJ Globetrotter camps, and invited outside expert on The Grappler’s Guide.
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. This team, Renzo Gracie Portland is also Workshop Portland. Workshop Jiu Jitsu now has schools in Honolulu, Des Moines, Seattle, Ann Arbor, Kaiserslautern, Cologne, and Shanghai.
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 in fostering 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 the weekly all city open mat and Portland Judo’s monthly Shiai Judo tournament as well as our own seasonal tournament – the Portland Sunday Open.
Tyler Crain
Brown belt - 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.
Jess Kincaid
Brown belt - Coach
Jess trained in many other martial arts before discovering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2004. He began his training with Marcus Soares (Carlson Gracie) from whom he received his blue belt. Jess went on to train in many different cities and countries. His teachers along this path include Daniel Thomas, Eben Kaneshiro, Kurt Shrout, Josh Botkin and Eric Hemphill. Jess came to RGA PDX in January of 2017. As soon as he began the fundamentals class he knew he had found his home. He is interested in athletic longevity and Jiu-Jitsu for self-defense.
Mario Shonkwiler
Brown belt - Coach
Mario Shonkwiler started training Jiu-Jitsu in 2015, and attained his blue belt in 2015. He started training at Renzo Gracie Portland in 2017, receiving his purple belt from Aaron Milam, followed by his brown belt in December of 2021.
Shawn Dy
Brown belt - Coach
Shawn has been a Jiu-Jitsu practitioner since 2011 and is a brown belt under Aaron Milam. He has been teaching since 2018 and takes a principles-based approach in his instruction to help students develop skills and knowledge for sport and self-defense. In his own training, he strives for longevity and employs the philosophy of moving with each other rather than against one another, seeing every position as an opportunity for a deepened understanding of the art. Off the mats, Shawn can be found exploring the mountains of the Pacific Northwest showing off his sneaker collection to bears.
Ruben Rodriguez
Purple belt - Coach
Renzo Gracie Academy Portland
Niko Hughes
Wrestling Coach
Renzo Gracie Academy Portland
Edlyn Rodriguez
Blue belt - Coach
Renzo Gracie Academy PortlandKris Reid
Brown belt - Coach
Renzo Gracie Academy PortlandTrevor Bryant
Brown belt - Coach
Renzo Gracie Academy Portland