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To Renzo Gracie Des Moines

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Our Mission

There have been many changes since Mitsuyo Maeda first introduced the grappling-based Japanese Jiu Jitsu/Judo to the western hemisphere in the 1920s. An advancement of positional control over a resisting opponent en route to submitting them via joint locks and strangles, Jiu Jitsu was brought into the mainstream North American culture in the early 90’s by the Gracie Family. Since exploding on the martial arts scene, Jiu Jitsu has established itself as a necessary tool for any well rounded martial artist. In practice, Jiu Jitsu adapts to fit the parameters of competition, self-defense, and ultimately, self-expression for all practitioners.

At Renzo Gracie Academy Des Moines we dedicate ourselves to becoming well-rounded grapplers in all aspects of the discipline. Classes are taught with a “feet-to-floor,” mentality. This means students will be instructed on the proper, safe application of takedowns, positional control, and submissions. Combining technical knowledge from Jiu Jitsu, Wrestling, and Judo, RGADSM strives to introduce to its students a diverse array of grappling techniques in both Gi and No-Gi forms.

SCHEDULE

  • MONDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 12:00PM – 1:30PM
    Nogi
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi

  • TUESDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 12:00 – 1:30PM
    Gi
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Gi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Gi
  • WEDNESDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 12:00 – 1:30PM
    Nogi
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Nogi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi
  • THURSDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 12:00 – 1:30PM
    Nogi
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi
  • FRIDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Gi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 12:00 – 1:30PM
    Nogi
  • 5PM – 6PM
    Women’s Class
  • 6:00PM – 7:30PM
    Workshop/Open Mat
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi

  • SATURDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 9:30AM-10:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 11:00AM-12:30PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi

  • SUNDAY
  • 5:30AM Drill Class
    Nogi
  • 10:00AM-11:00AM
    Comp Team (2 stripe White belt required)
  • 12:00PM – 1:30PM
    Nogi
  • 4:30PM – 5:30PM
    Kids Gi Jiu Jitsu
  • 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Nogi Fundamentals
  • 7:00PM-8:30PM
    Nogi

Carsten Carlsen


Head Instructor/Owner – Renzo Gracie Des Moines

Second Degree Black Belt

Throughout his 25 years of grappling experience, Carsten has developed a unique style and method of practicing and teaching grappling. Starting his grappling journey on the High School wrestling mats of Wisconsin, Carsten pursued wrestling through college where he was a four-year letter winner at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville. After moving to Portland, OR in 2011, Carsten found, and fell in love with, Jiu Jitsu.

In 2013 Carsten began training with Renzo Gracie/John Danaher black belt Aaron Milam. Under the Renzo Gracie Portland banner, Carsten became one of the Pacific Northwest’s premier grapplers. He successfully competed at the national and international level, winning multiple regional titles, a match on the first Submission Underground, and placing 3rd at the ADCC East Coast trials. In March 2018, Carsten earned his Black Belt from Aaron Milam. 

Carsten has also coached and cornered fighters at both the amateur and professional level, including in the UFC.

In addition, he holds a B.A. in Psychology and a B.A. in Criminal Justice.

Derrick Flaig

Fundamentals/All Levels Instructor – Renzo Gracie Des Moines

Black Belt

Derrick started his Jiu Jitsu journey in 2015, earning his Black Belt in September 2024. He joined Renzo Gracie Des Moines shortly after they opened in 2019, and since starting to train with RGADSM, has been an integral part of the gym culture and success. Derrick is an active competitor, competing in events such as; Submission Underground, the Onnit Invitational, multiple Fight2Win cards, and many other regional promotions. He has also medaled at several IBJJF Majors including; No Gi World Championships, No Gi Pan  Championships, and No Gi European Championships (all at purple belt).

A Des Moines native, Derrick graduated from Urbandale High School, and earned his BA in Business Administration from Grand View University.

Contact Us

4711 University Ave

Des Moines, IA 50311

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