Instructors

Contents 1 Mike "Joker" Aref Mike "Joker" Aref Shonie Carter (left) and Mike Aref (right) at the Total Fight Challenge 2. Started Goshin Jitsu: Fall 1996 Mike's been training in martial arts since the fifth grade. He earned his shodan (first degree black belt) in Uechi-Ryu Karate Do in 1992 and in the American Kempo-Shorin System in 1995. After that he discovered Goshin Jitsu and that multiple black belts in karate didn't mean as much as they should in a realistic self-defense sense. He currently trains with McVicker's Martial Arts Academy and holds a faixa preta (black belt) in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a black belt in Jeet Kune Do. He also trained muay thai kickboxing with the Peoria Athletic Club and Top Level Gym. Some of Mike's titles include: 2017 Chicago Spring International Open IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu Championship Black Belt Master 3 Heavy Silver Medalist 14th PanJiu-Jitsu Championships Heavyweight Masters Brown Belt Silver medalist 13th PanAmerican Jiu-Jitsu Championships Heavyweight Masters Purple Belt Gold medalist IKF Men's Amateur Muay Thai Rules Cruiserweight (180 - 190 lbs.) 2006 World Classic Tournament Champion 12th PanAmerican Jiu-Jitsu Championships Heavyweight Masters Purple Belt Gold medalist IKF Men's Amateur Muay Thai Rules Cruiserweight (180 - 190 lbs.) 2005 North American Tournament Champion 2005 C3 Team Challenge Winner 2004 NAGA Chicago Pro-Am of Grappling 1st Place 180 - 195 lbs. No-Gi Expert and 1st Place 180 - 200 lbs. Gi Purple Belt and up 2004 Extreme Grappling Open Middleweight Invitational Champion 2004 IKF Amateur Muay Thai 186 - 195 lbs. Midwest Regional Champion 2004 Arnold Gracie Worlds Adult Blue Belt Medium Heavy Gold medalist and Absolute Gold medalist. His record is 66-28 in sport jiu-jitsu/submission wrestling, 1-1 in mixed-martial arts (MMA), and 7-0/2 in amateur muay thai. Mike earned his Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering in the Spring of 2003 and his M.D. in 2006. He completed his residency in 2009 and works as a physician in the community. Mike Aref (left) and Shooto legend Erik Paulson (right) share a smile. Andy Perry (left) kicks as Mike Aref (right) coaches