Aaron Milam began training under Carlson Gracie black belt Rey Diogo in 2000, under whom he earned his purple belt. Upon moving to New York in 2006, he began training under John Danaher and team Renzo Gracie. In February 2008 Aaron was awarded his black belt. Aaron also holds a brown belt in Judo under Roy Kawaji.

During 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.

Larry Hope is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt under Aaron Milam and Jin Yung. After training in NYC for years and receiving a black belt, he relocated to Honolulu, HI. He is dedicated to opening the minds of BJJ players in Hawaii to the infinite potential ways of playing and fostering a deeper understanding of manipulating a resisting body.

As a teacher of bjj, he guides his students to focus more on concepts rather than techniques, and he encourages them to make aesthetic decisions when constructing their own game, so that each student’s game is an outgrowth of his own or her own personality. He believes, ideally, our jiu-jitsu is an outgrowth of our personalities – he tries to foster that relationship in his students.

Prior to his bjj career Larry played soccer, played basketball, studied law, studied psychiatry and studied philosophy – all of which are key to how his jiu-jitsu has grown. By design, he has never competed in a bjj tournament. His unique background and lack of tournament play has given him a distinct outlook on bjj and distinct movements within in his bjj. He specializes in half guard play, truck play, wrist control, kimuras and back takes.