meet our professors & coaches
Professor Joshua Sharpless
Professor Joshua Sharpless moved to McAllen, TX in 2011 to specifically help Professor Tyler Bosard open the (THEN) Gracie Barra McAllen location. He was a Blue Belt under Professor Chad Robichaux at Gracie Barra The Woodlands at the time. He really fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and knew he wanted to teach and mentor others in the art. Professor Sharpless started as a Program Director & Assistant Coach, but through the years has built up the (NOW) Renzo Gracie McAllen to be his own Academy, with the help and support of Professor Bosard. He received his Black Belt from Professor Bosard in June 2017 and now he is the Head Instructor and Owner for Renzo Gracie McAllen.
Professor Filipi Gualberto
Filipi Gualberto is a second degree black belt from Florianópolis, Brazil. He studied Business Administration at Estácio, Santa Catarina. Over the past 17 years, Filipi has trained in Florianópolis (Brazil), Dublin (Ireland), and received his black belt under Professor Andres Rachadel from Gracie Barra, São José (Brazil). Within this time he has acquired the passion to guide others in their own training, especially helping children stay active and finding fun in the jiu-jitsu craft. He began instructing in McAllen in 2022 and focuses on creating inclusive and supportive environments for students of all ages and all skill levels. He enjoys perfecting his own self-practice and developing unique movements that test his and others’ abilities.
Professor Erik Sanchez
Erik started training Jiu Jitsu in 2014. Wanting to find an academy that he could learn Self Defense with, soon becoming a member of (Gracie Barra McAllen at the time) doing MMA & Jiu Jitsu. After a few years of training he developed a passion for Jiu Jitsu and decided to focus on competing in that. The competetion atmoshpere really sparked my goals of developing my own improvements as well as other teamates. Erik has been coaching for 5 years and is currently the program director and new Black Belt Professor under Professor Joshua at Renzo Gracie McAllen.
Coach David Sanchez
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Admin/Coach Karrie Jo Sharpless
Karrie started Jiu Jitsu in late 2011, after moving to McAllen with her husband Joshua. Her journey has been a long one in Jiu Jitsu, moving here to McAllen with Joshua in 2011, she started right away helping out with the administrative & off the mat duties only, she then started training Muay Thai & Jiu Jitsu here at (THEN) Gracie Barra McAllen in 2012. Having their son in 2013 she had to step away from mat time but continued all administration work for the gym. Through the years she has continued to get on the mats as much as she can to train, assist in coaching in kids & women's self-defense programs. She truly believes in the value that Jiu Jitsu brings to people's lives & is happy to be a part of the Renzo Gracie Jiu Jitsu family.
Coach Ralph Reyna
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