Evolve Academy

**crazyboy18** · Posted On: 12/24/2007 3:57pm

First off, I have been training in BJJ for 5 years and I don't actually train at Evolve, i train at another school in the area

Moses' school has only one black belt, our school has 5! I considered going with him when he dipped our school, but he wasn't a black belt then. that and...he's a total control freak. yes sir, no sir, etc etc...calling him master...Master Mike...

The facility is basically...a garage...LOL. i've been there a few times, it smells. I've heard from my buddies he brings his dogs to work...

The curriculum is decent, my buddies tell me. They also say they have secret training sessions where they learn secret moves from lloyd irving. pricing is super high

According to the website, they have their own self defense system...it sounds like tae bo self defense to me:laughing1

P.S. he needs to stop taking his shirt off

**Cough/Cool** · Posted On: 12/26/2007 1:08pm

It seems like you go to Yamasaki's? Doesn't Evolve wipe the floor with your school during tournaments? I would exclude your review to some degree and will post some of my observations and let the reader decide.
The school has two small floors (gyms) across the street from one-another. The places are stripped down and low tech. While some would find this a turnoff; I actually like gyms being fairly primal. There is enough basic equipment to go around (heavy bags, focus mitts, thai pads). That being said, I would recommend that each student bye their own focus mitts and thai pads. As stated, there are heavy bags at the gym but the students have to put them up and take them down (there is not enough room to leave them up).
At times, there are A LOT of students that join and this can make the gym somewhat crowded and during the summer months, it becomes way too humid. The gym is fairly anti-AC during the summer which is fine but Maryland is known for it's unhealthy humidity; add to this a crowded gym and it makes things that much worse. This being said, I have heard that the gym may relocate nearby to a roomier location with updated equipment.
The atmosphere/attitude is great, Mike keeps everything upbeat. In my time training there, I never called him 'Master'; I would call him Sir or Mike and he was seemingly ok with that. I don't know if he has updated this and requires students to call him this now. He has never struck me as a control freak but rather as an approachable nice person.

There are a number of very good assistant instructors (including his wife) that carry his attitude. I have had some great lessons with them no doubt. The academy used to have 2 additional BJJ Black Belts - Nakapan and Todd Margolis; these guys were also great instructors. I don't know what happened with these guys, I believe they have moved on from BJJ pretty much. These two were very well-regarded grapplers/fighters and I imagine the school took somewhat of a hit when they lost them.

Striking instruction is very good; Mike is under Master Chai and he comes and does seminars for the school on a somewhat regular basis. The workouts are very intense and the class gets you in shape very quickly. Most of the workouts we did rounds with pads (focus mitts or thai pads) then we focused on technique. They do spar as well; it's mostly lighter sparring at about 60%. I actually find this very helpful as it lets me learn to get hit and allowed me to practice my new techniques. There are some students that will use this as an excuse to brawl but Mike is fairly good about weeding out such students.

Mike teaches an awesome BJJ class. Most classes started with about 30 min grappling and then instruction. Mike really breaks down then technique and is very patient with his students and always encourages questions. He does go through moves rather quickly and this can make things difficult for a slower learner.

Mike also teaches a PDS (Personal Defense System) class - this is mainly street app stuff using a bit of MT and a bit of BJJ; it's very good. Street app. is not my thing but a lot of people really enjoy this class.
From what I understand, there is also a fairly new MMA class, I don't know how that class is.

PS - I have never seen Mike take his shirt off

As far as criticisms - these are more suggestive rather than gripes:

-A larger gym would be ideal but things have been fine; I just see the # of students increasing.
-Perhaps importing a boxing coach.
-The school is not a 'Competition School' - Mike does push his students but in a lot of cases leaves it up to the student with regard to how much they can push themselves. I just think a few students were not living up to their potential and could be better if encouraged a bit more while grappling. Sometimes this does happen but often times the instructors are busy grappling as well.
-Some competitors are given more detailed instruction - I would suggest extending this to all serious students and even if they don't compete, treat them like they do.

Overall a great gym.

**crazyboy18** · Posted On: 12/27/2007 11:51pm

Give me some examples where Evolve has "wiped the floor" with us (Purple, Brown or Black Belts)? You guys don't even go to tournaments. (And Lloyd Irvin's student's don't count in this, it has to be students from Evolve).

How long have you been training for and in what?

**Cough/Cool** · Posted On: 12/28/2007 8:29am

Yes Evolve students do go to tournaments and they do beat Yamasaki often. Perhaps 'wipe the floor' was unneeded as it can be looked at as a bit disrespectful - much like your first post. Plus Evolve has a number of very good MT people as well that have done very well in the ring.
With regard to higher belts (BJJ); that's true, Evolve only has one Black Belt (that I know of) - Mike won the Pan Am's; Amy Moses has one a lot of big tournaments as well (Brown Belt). I do know they have a decent amount of purples and a few browns that don't compete at all.
I gave the school basically the same rating as you gave but I gave a somewhat thorough review.
If I ever went/go to Yamasaki's there is a good chance that I would give them an equal or better review as I know they have many Black Belts and a good size facility but that is not what this is about.
You stated that they have some secret 'ta bo' self defense class without seeing or taking a class; I mentioned that it's called PDS and there is nothing secretive about it; it's a very good class that obviously suites a lot of people.

There are a number of Evolve Students on this board and perhaps they can correct me/you or add to this review - it would only be fair.

I have been training for a number of years (on and off) in BJJ and MT but again, this is not about me.

I have come back to the Maryland area and I might be around long enough to join a school. I was happy to see the reviews for Jeff Gordon's place as I see that it's revamped and I know Evolve Academy is good but like I would like to see a well-written non-biased review of this place and then I will take my post down.

**Cough/Cool** · Posted On: 12/28/2007 9:29am

Mission Submission Results, Richmond, September 29, 2007
Men's Gi Divisions
White Belt, 129.9 lbs: 1. Kenny Sauercool Maguilla
White Belt, 149.9 lbs: 1. Jeremiah West Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Eddie McCarty Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Kenny Sauercool Maguilla
White Belt, 169.9 lbs: 1. Steve Smiddy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Ken Laboy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Samuel Cruz Team Lloyd Irvin
White Belt, 189.9 lbs: 1. Kelly Thorne Linxx
2. Rob LaChance Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Clive Mitchell Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
White Belt, 209.0 lbs: 1. Charles McGraw Linxx
2. Patrick Tredway Yamasaki
3. Michael Zaleski Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
White Belt, 210 and up 1. Leonard Smith Fight Works
2. Jason Milton Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Carlos Cassanova Team Lloyd Irvin/ Crazy 88
White Belt Open 1. Mark Cabellon Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Mike Wheat Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Clive Mitchell Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Blue Belt, 129.9 lbs 1. John Vineyard Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Blue Belt, 149.9lbs 1. Mackens Semerzier Linxx
2. Sergey Golosinskiy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. IvanRyzhkov Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Blue Belt, 169.9 lbs 1. Leonardo Maggio Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Josh Greenfield Univ. of MD BJJ
3. Matt Perrigo One Spirit
Blue Belt, 189.9 lbs 1. Acie Bryan Richmond BJJ
2. Levi Sadrs Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
3. Jody Carter Luiz Palhares
Blue Belt, 209.9 lbs 1. Travis Harrington Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Walter Hardeman Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
3. E.T. Slade Top Game Academy
Blue Belt, 210 and up 1. Aaron Powell Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
2. Rick Mayo World Class
Blue Belt Open 1. Aaron Powell Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
2. Levi Sadrs Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
3. Zac Mcbeeen Boyce's Martial Arts
Purple Belt, 149.9 lbs 1. John Moses Richmond BJJ
2. Ta Khongsap BJJ Revolution
3. Breagan Wood BJJ Revolution
Purple Belt, 169.9 lbs 1. Seph Smith Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Greg Souders Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Ryan Hall Team Lloyd Irvin
Purple Belt, 189.9 lbs 1. Monroe Hall Maguilla
2. Taylor Dixon Capital Jiu Jitsu
3. George Wehby/ Yamasaki
Ronnell Foster
Purple Belt, 209.9 lbs 1. Vin Esposito Alliance BJJ
2. Mat Almborg Fight Works
Purple Belt, 210 and up 1. Bruce Hoyer Team Lloyd Irvin
Purple Belt Open 1. Bruce Hoyer Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Greg Souders Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. George Wehby Yamasaki
Brown Belt Open 1. Mark Coleman Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Bennet Fisher Yamasaki
Men's No-Gi Divisions
Novice, 129.9 lbs 1. Kenny Sauercool Maguilla
2. Sokha Keo CSC
Novice, 139.9 lbs 1. Paul Ambriz Baltimore BJJ
2. Jeremiah West Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Gil Yzaguirre Team Lloyd Irvin/Crazy 88
Novice, 149.9 lbs 1. Eric Pellici Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Eddie McCarty Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Michael DeAngelo Linxx
Novice, 159.9 lbs 1. Nicholas Vanna Luiz Palhares
2. Nick Silvestri Boyce's Martial Arts
3. Muhammed Ashiaf Richmond BJJ
Novice, 169.9 lbs 1. Ken Laboy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Bin Lu BJJ Revolution
3. Kyle Stevenson CSC
Novice, 179.9 lbs 1. Alec Newman William & Mary BJJ
2. Romario Neto CSC
3. Chris Ferguson Richmond BJJ
Novice, 189.9 lbs 1. Matt Occhuizzo Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
2. Clive Mitchell Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
3. Barry Scofield BJJ Revolution
Novice, 199.9 lbs 1. Chris Yarborough MMA Institute
2. Hakim Andrews Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Novice, 209.9 lbs 1. Michael Brown Club Jiu-Jitsu
2. George Sotelo Wright Carolina
Novice, 210 and up 1. Leonard Smith Fight Works
2. John McCune BJJ Revolution
3. Carlos Casanova Team Lloyd Irvin/Crazy 88
Novice Open 1. Matt Occhuizzo Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
2. Alec Newman William & Mary BJJ
3. Eddie McCarty Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Intermediate, 139.9 lbs 1. Scott Smith Fight Works
2. Phillip Chubb Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. John Vineyard Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Intermediate, 149.9 lbs 1. Mackens Semerzien Linxx
2. Sergey Golosinskiy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Ivan Ryzhkov Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Intermediate, 159.9 lbs 1. Steve Smiddy Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Dan Hanagan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Aaron Barr Gustavo Machado
Intermediate, 169.9 lbs 1. Stefan Livingston Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Samuel Cruz Eastern Academy
3. Josh Greenfield Univ. of MD BJJ
Intermediate, 179.9 lbs 1. Nick Huffman Charlottesville BJJ
2. Jody Carter Luiz Palhares
3. Tory Breeden Linxx
Intermediate, 189.9 lbs 1. Levi Sadr Team Lloyd Irvin/ Leo Dalla
2. Kevin O'Connor Capital JJ
Intermediate, 199.9 lbs 1. Duwayne Jamieson Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Travis Harrington Team Lloyd Irvin
Intermediate, 209.9 lbs 1. Aaron Powell Team Lloyd Irvin/ Leo Dalla
2. Jason Hilton Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Joel Bane Jersey Double
Intermediate Open 1. Levi Sadrs Team Lloyd Irvin/ Leo Dalla
2. Aaron Powell Team Lloyd Irvin/ Leo Dalla
3. Nick Huffman Charlottesville BJJ
Advanced, 139.9 lbs 1. Quang Nguyen Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Mike Tenagila Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Ta Khongsap BJJ Revolution
Advanced, 149.9 lbs 1. Breagan Wood BJJ Revolution
2. Mackens Semerzien Linxx
3. Zach McBreen Boyce's Martial Arts
Advanced, 169.9 lbs 1. Danny Ives Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Seph Smith Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Leonard Maggio Team Lloyd Irvin
Advanced, 179.9 lbs 1. Taylor Dixon Capital JJ
2. Monroe Hall Maguilla
3. Jacob Young Yamasaki
Advanced, 189.9 lbs 1. Ronnell Foster Yamasaki
Advanced, 209.9 lbs 1. Matt Almborg Fight Works
2. Ronnell Foster Yamasaki
3. Vin Esposito Alliance BJJ
Advanced, 210 and up 1. Bruce Hoyer Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Nazeem Ahmad Team Lloyd Irvin
1. Mark Coleman Team Lloyd Irvin /Evolve
Advanced Open 1. George Lockhart Luis Palhares
2. Bruce Hoyer Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Nazeem Ahmad Team Lloyd Irvin
Women's Gi Divisions
White Belt, 144.9 lbs 1. Cecily Garcia Richmond BJJ
White Belt, 159.9 lbs 1. Rachel Demara Team Lloyd Irvin /Evolve
2. Meagan Wright Yamasaki
3. Cecily Carcia Richmond BJJ
White Belt, over 160 1. Megan O'Bryan Eastern Academy
2. Tiffiney Collemar Team Lloyd Irvin
White Belt Open 1. Rachel Demara Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
2. Megan O'Bryan Eastern Academy
Blue Belt, 114.9 lbs 1. Maria Navarro Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
Blue Belt, 129.9 lbs 1. Evelyn Royer Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
2. Fiona Watson Jerry Jones
3. Maria Navarro Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
Blue Belt, 160 and up 1. Dorothy Cruz Linxx
2. Lauren Green Team Lloyd Irvin/Leo Dalla
Blue Belt Open 1. Evelyn Royer Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Maria Navarro Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Women's No-Gi Divisions
Novice, 159.9 lbs 1. Rachel Demara Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Stephanie Toomye Luis Palhares
3. Megan Wright Yamasaki
Novice, 160 and up 1. Megan O'Bryan Eastern Academy
2. Tiffiney Collemar Team Lloyd Irvin
Novice Open 1. Rachel Demara Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Intermediate, 129.9 lbs 1. Caitlin Profer Linxx
2. Karen Fong Team Lloyd Irvin
Advanced, 114.9 lbs 1. Maria Navarro Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 129.9 lbs 1. Evelyn Royer Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Jen Flannery Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Erica Blumenfeld Jerry Jones
Advanced Open 1. Evelyn Royer
Masters' Gi Divisions
White Belt, 159.9 lbs 1. Kwami Mensah Team Lloyd Irvin/Crazy 88
2. Jared Smith Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Christopher Tobias Yamasaki
White Belt, 179.9 lbs 1. Rob Lachance Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
2. Tom Gaughan Capital BJJ
3. Philip Spilker Yamasaki
White Belt, 199.9 lbs 1. Dadson Starsky Yamasaki
2. Hakim Andrews Team Lloyd Irvin/ Evolve
3. Scott Saslaw BJJ Revolution
White Belt, 200 and up 1. Manuel Lee Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Dale Mullen Yamasaki
White Belt Open 1. Andy Bissett Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Blue Belt, 159.9 lbs 1. William BJJ Revolution
2. Nick Dovris BJJ Revolution
3. Nicholas True Team ROC
Blue Belt, 179.9 lbs 1. Chris Jacob Maguilla
Blue Belt, 199.9 lbs 1. Chris Jacob Maguilla
2. Mike Batenga Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Keith Mattingly Team Lloyd Irvin
Blue Belt, 200 and up 1. Sulaiman Rahman Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Masters' No-Gi Divisions
Novice, 179.9 lbs 1. Rob Lachance Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Jovie Soriano Team Lloyd Irvin/Crazy 88
3. Ray Ostenso Team Lloyd Irvin
Novice, 199.9 lbs 1. Alex Howarth Team Lloyd Irvin/ Leo Dalla
2. Hakim Andrews Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Scott Saslaw BJJ Revolution
Novice Open 1. Andy Bissett Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Intermediate, 159.9 lbs 1. William Clavani BJJ Revolution
2. Gary Nimmo Richmond BJJ
Intermediate, 179.9 lbs 1. Chris Jacob Maguilla
Intermediate, 199.9 lbs 1. Mike Batenga Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Keith Mattingly
Advanced, 199.9 lbs 1. Chris Jacob Maguilla
2. Willie Laney Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 200 and up 1. Mark Coleman Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Children's Gi Divisions
White Belt, 49.9 lbs 1. Austin Sisino Eastern Academy
2. Brooke McLeod Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Nathan Furey Eastern Academy
White Belt, 59.9 lbs 1. Isaiah Edmond Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Derek Halett Bushido
3. Amanda Murayama Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
White Belt, 69.9 lbs 1. Dean Guevarra Performance JJ
2. Jabar Hussie, Jr. Team Lloyd Irvin
3. Johnny Winfield Eastern Academy
White Belt, 79.9 lbs 1. Marquis Whittou Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Jordan Furey Eastern Academy
3. Colleen Merallo Bushido MMA
White Belt, 94.9 lbs 1. Troy Metcalf Linxx
2. David Murayama Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Yellow Belt, 49.9 lbs 1. Romeo Gilmore Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Nick Fiorillo Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Yellow Belt, 79.9 lbs 1. Carlo Levell Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Brandon Duncan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Yellow Belt, 94.9 lbs 1. Tijean Awad Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Ross Olexa Team Lloyd Irvin
3. John Gilman Eastern Academy
Yellow Belt, 109.9 lbs 1. Malachi Edmond Team Lloyd Irvin
Yellow Belt, 124.9 lbs 1. Derrick Holmes Team Lloyd Irvin
Children's No-Gi Divisions
Novice, 59.9 lbs 1. Isaiah Edmond Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Amanda Murayama Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
3. Derek Hallett Bushido MMA
Novice, 69.9 lbs 1. Jabbar Hussie Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Johnny Winfield Eastern Academy
Novice, 79.9 lbs 1. Brandon Duncan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Jordan Furey Eastern Academy
3. Colleen Merallo Bushido MMA
Novice, 94.9 lbs 1. Troy Metcalf Linxx
2. Larry Legaspi CCBC
3. David Murayama Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 49.9 lbs 1. Romeo Gilmore Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Nick Fiorillo Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 59.9 lbs 1. Romeo Gilmore Team Lloyd Irvin
Advanced, 69.9 lbs 1. Dean Guevarra Performance JJ
2. Brandon Duncan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 79.9 lbs 1. Carlo Level Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Marques Whitton Team Lloyd Irvin
Advanced, 94.9 lbs 1. Tijean Awad Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Ross Olexa Team Lloyd Irvin
3. John Gilman Eastern Academy
Advanced, 109.9 lbs 1. Malachi Edmond Team Lloyd Irvin
Advanced, 124.9 lbs 1. Derrick Holmes Team Lloyd Irvin
Teens' Gi Divisions
White, 134.9 lbs 1. Sage Saunders Bushido MMA
White, 149.9 lbs 1. Devin Jones Richmond BJJ
2. Sage Saunders Bushido MMA
3. Brad Ferguson Linxx
White, 169.9 lbs 1. Stanley Liss Tri-City Aikikai
2. Will MacTurk Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
White, 170 and up 1. Stanley Liss Tri-City Aikikai
2. Michael Goodman CSC
3. Jacob Mullen Yamasaki
White, Open 1. Dan Hanagan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Stanley Liss Tri-City Aikikai
Yellow, 114.9 lbs 1. Cory Walker Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Dorothy Cruz Linxx
3. John Gilman Eastern Academy
Yellow, 169.9 lbs 1. Dorothy Cruz Linxx
Teens' No-Gi Divisions
Novice, 149.9 lbs 1. Devin Jones Richmond BJJ
2. Brad Ferguson Linxx
3. Lucas Sanchez Club Jiu-Jitsu
Advanced, 114.9 lbs 1. Cory Walker Team Lloyd Irvin
2. Cedric Bryant Team Lloyd Irvin
3. John Gilman Eastern Academy
Advanced, 149.9 lbs 1. Phillip Chubb Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 169.9 lbs 1. Dan Hanagan Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
2. Michael Goodman CSC
3. Phillip Chubb Team Lloyd Irvin/Evolve
Advanced, 170 and up 1. Michael Goodman CSC

**kihap** · Posted On: 1/19/2008 9:42pm

Is that all?

**madsox** · Posted On: 1/01/2010 3:13pm

So, without getting into too much of a flamewar, can some current students from each of those schools ping me with opinions/news/info? PM, email, or on thread here is fine.

For background, I was active in the JKD scene in Maryland for some years (w/Steve Braun mostly, known him since waaaay back) through the 80s and 90s, I kept up the silat/eskrima longer, been working on that again recently. Back in the day we did have some guys come through our club from Mike Moses' club (then) and Yamasaki (also met some at seminars) and all seemed like nice guys with solid training, but that's been at least 10 years. So anyone I knew is probably gone.

I plan to visit each school when I can this winter and try to start working out at one of them to move myself back into something active - main thing I'll want to get at whichever will be grappling/groundfighting, but it wil be great if things work out for more.

So, Happy New Year from slushy Maryland!

SF,
afm

**RoninPimp** · Posted On: 1/01/2010 4:40pm

The OP is lame. Do any of the Yamasaki coaches know your're posting such disrespectful ****?

I'm a very proud member of Team Lloyd Irvin, but have nothing but good things to say about Yamasaki.

Mike Moses is a great instructor and that's a fact.

**LODD2** · Posted On: 4/03/2010 8:05pm

So I would like to revive this thread without the flame war again. Currently there are 3 well known schools in this area of Montgomery County, Yamaski, Evolve, and Jeff Gordon. I would like to know which school is the best for me. Some background info: I am 15 years old, I had a TKD expierence, it was pretty decent at RMALC or called "Kims Karate" back then. I quit for awhile, but now I feel like doing MA again, I do not want a striking art since I want to Wrestle in HS Sports, so I feel that BJJ would greatly help me. I am mainly looking for atmosphere, people around my age, good support sytem for beginners, and a quick learning expierence in a comfortable enviornement where it is OK to make mistakes. Anyone have suggestions for me? Thanks in advance. ( I copied and pasted this around on this forum for quicker replies)

**Melchizedek** · Posted On: 5/17/2010 8:17pm

LODD2, I'd check out Evolve. It's a good place. It's got the full spectrum of classes. There are plenty of grappling as well as stand up classes everyday. For grappling, they've actually got traditional bjj and no-gi as well. And actually, for a wrestler like you, they even have take down classes taught by a wrestling coach. That really is the best part, there are classes all day long really, and you can mix and match as you need to to ensure you are well rounded. The instructors are all fantastic, the vast majority of them compete as well. Mike Moses always teaches a couple of classes a day himself.
Also, I'm not coming down on Yamasaki here, but I don't think that anyone would argue against the fact that Evolve has a much deeper striking curriculum than Yamasaki's. I've trained at both.
Finally, there are a decent number of people around your age there, but you'd be in the regular adult classes anyway.
Hope it helps, but as everyone always says, check it out for yourself