My Story

I spent most of my adult life teaching English in South Korea, where I began training Jiu Jitsu in 2008 under Professor Sung Min Cho. Having wrestled collegiately, grappling came naturally to me — but Jiu Jitsu was a whole different animal, and I was hooked immediately.

I earned my brown belt under Professor Sung Min Cho between 2008 and 2017 while living in South Korea. By 2018, I dedicated myself to training day and night with several schools — Mohler MMA, Jiujitsu Tech, and finally Checkmat Philippines, where I received my black belt from Professor Jeffrey Calma in 2019.

Since 2020, I have been training under Professor Raphael Formiga Barbosa at Double Five Highland Village — one of the most accomplished competitors in BJJ history.

I finally found my calling and decided to open Argyle Jiu Jitsu Academy during the pandemic of 2020. With a lot of work and dedication, our school has grown and our community has truly embraced Jiu Jitsu. Our kids and adult programs are producing some amazing competitors and hobbyists, and I'm very proud and honored to be sharing this journey right here in Argyle.

About Aiden

Aiden grew up on the mats at Argyle Jiu Jitsu Academy, beginning his training journey under his father, Professor Paul Gilman. He developed a strong foundation from a young age, competing and growing alongside the academy itself.

After stepping away during his high school years, Aiden returned to BJJ with a renewed fire and a fresh perspective. That experience of leaving and coming back makes him uniquely relatable — especially for beginners and younger students who are just finding their footing in the sport.

His coaching style is patient, encouraging, and detail-oriented. Whether he's working with a 4-year-old in Little Eagles or an adult in their first week of rolling, Aiden meets students exactly where they are.

About Tobias

Tobias has been on the mats since age 4 — one of the few coaches anywhere who has literally grown up in the sport. His early immersion in BJJ gave him an intuitive understanding of movement and leverage that most practitioners spend years trying to develop.

As a competitive wrestler, Tobias reached the state finals — an accomplishment that reflects not just athletic ability, but the mental toughness, discipline, and work ethic that define his approach to training.

That wrestling pedigree sets him apart on the mat. His takedown game, scrambles, and top pressure are elite-level, and he brings all of it into his coaching. Students who train under Tobias develop a well-rounded game with a serious edge in grappling exchanges.

About Thomas

Thomas Schulte is one of the most decorated combat sports athletes on our coaching staff. A King of the Cage Champion and Ring of Fire Champion, Thomas has competed and won at the highest levels of professional kickboxing — and he brings every bit of that experience to his classes at Argyle JJA.

Beyond striking, Thomas holds a BJJ Black Belt, making him a complete martial artist with deep knowledge across the full spectrum of combat sports. His classes are technical, demanding, and built for real-world application — not just cardio.

Whether you're a complete beginner looking to learn self-defense, a fitness-focused athlete wanting to add striking to your training, or a competitor looking to sharpen your stand-up game, Thomas has the experience and teaching ability to take you there.