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Evergreen Karate and Jiu Jitsu
Proudly serving Bothell since 2000
Evergreen Karate and Jiu Jitsu has Classes in Bothell, Perfect for Kids, Teens, and Adults Martial Arts Lessons.
Who we Are And why You Should Train Here
Since we’ve opened, we’ve been dedicated to changing the lives of people one person at a time, through martial arts, education and coaching. We strive to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming atmosphere for all students and family members. We take pride in creating an environment for individuals to achieve, develop and succeed in their personal goals.
We strongly believe that martial arts can be for everyone, regardless of age, gender or experience levels. Throughout all of our programs, students will not only learn the necessary skill sets to protect themselves, we stand behind our realistic and practical approach, confident it will enable every member to achieve greatness and live their best life..
Get To Know Our World Class Instructors
George Ahearn
3rd Degree Black Belt, Owner
Sensei George has been training in martial arts for over 20 years. He holds an Executive Masters in Health Care Administration and a BS in Nursing, both obtained from the UW. In addition to owning EKJJ, he owns West Infusion Nurses’ Network LLC. A healthcare company that employs Registered Nurses in Washington and Idaho to treat people with autoimmune and rare genetic disorders in their home. His passion, however, is in helping others. He began a nonprofit called EastWest Food Rescue in which he and his team moved 8 million+ pounds of food in 18 weeks! George continues to serve the food rescue and help our State and Region during times of disaster through connecting people in need. He is married with three daughters.
Anjelica Rivera
3rd degree black belt – Head Karate Instructor
Sensei Anjelica began karate under Hanshi Mack in Yakima, WA at just 6 years old. Through the Yakima School of Karate, Anjelica competed in local, district, national, and international tournaments. In 2013, she traveled to Australia to compete with Team USA as the only female selected from Washington State. She joined Evergreen Karate and Jiu Jitsu in the winter of 2017, as she is currently a student at University of Washington, Bothell. Now a second degree black belt, Anjelica loves teaching because it’s a way for her to give back after everything her past Sensei’s have taught her and to honor Hanshi Mack’s memory. She also enjoys knowing her students can properly defend themselves should the need arise.
Paul Warren
2nd degree black belt – Lil’ D’s Karate Instructor
Sensei Paul began studying Karate at 10 years old under Fullcanali Chavez in Kirkland WA. Paul earned his black belt at 16 under Sensei George Ahearn. At 17, he began studying culinary arts and entering cooking competitions. Paul placed 4th at the national level of Art Institute’s Best Teen Chef competition, earning a full scholarship to Art Institute of Seattle. Life got busy. With a career as a chef, a wife and two kids, there wasn’t much time for karate.
The pandemic slowed things down and opened up the opportunity to teach karate. Paul is constantly reading to improve his knowledge and teaching skills. He continues to train in karate and recently began studying Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Mike Madison
1st Degree Black Belt – Brown Belt Instructor (Karate)
Sensei Mike has studied several forms of karate (including Isshin-Ryū and Shotokan) throughout his life. His journey in Shudokan began in 2010 in the Tri-Cities where he studied at Trinity Martial Arts Academy with Shihan (6th Degree Black Belt) Mike Franco.
Mike joined Evergreen Karate in 2019 as a Shodan-ho (probationary black belt) just before the start of the pandemic. He was able to study with Sensei Rachel and the other black belts at Evergreen Karate for a few months in person before lockdown. When the school went online and more instructors were needed for Zoom Karate, Mike joined the instructor core as one of the instructors for the brown belt class. Mike has led the brown belt program since receiving his Shodan certificate in September 2020. When asked prior to the pandemic if teaching karate was a pursuit he planned on following, Sensei Mike would have said no. But today it’s one of the highlights of his week!
Bryan Alvarez
2nd Degree Black Belt – Head Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Bryan runs the BJJ program at EKJJ and is among a handful of instructors worldwide to have received all of his belts from eight degree red and black belt Master Pedro Sauer. Master Sauer received his black belt directly from Gracie Jiu Jitsu founder, Helio Gracie and his son Rickson. In addition to Gracie Jiu Jitsu, Bryan was a state and regional champion gymnast in his teens and was a pro-wrestler for nearly 20 years. Outside of class, Bryan works as a nationally-syndicated radio show host for “Wrestling Observer Live” on Sirius Satellite Radio and the Sports Byline USA Radio Network.
Matthew Hill
3rd Degree Black Belt – Adult Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Matthew Hill received his black belt in 2014 from Professor Micah Reyes at Gracie Barra Ballard in Seattle, WA. His martial arts practice is focused on pedagogy, with an emphasis on the basic physical principles that inform a deep understanding of the art of Jiu-Jitsu. Off the Mats, Matthew is a freelance writer and content provider, professional cycling coach and bike fit specialist, and an instructor at the prestigious Slowtwitch FIST school. He has worked with clients at all levels of sport, from absolute beginner to World Champion level, and is Safesport certified. An accomplished bike racer himself, Matthew has won multiple district and national championships in numerous disciplines of the sport. Matthew was the owner/operator of the repair facility at the legendary Bass Northwest, a touring guitar tech, and held many other positions during his tenure in the music industry, which saw him running the repair department for a chain of stores in NY while still in his teens. Yes, there are a lot of stories…
Chris Simpliciano
Black Belt – Adult Jiu Jitsu Instructor
“Hawaiian” Chris received his Black belt from Bryan Alvarez and Matthew Hill in July 2024. He started BJJ in 2012 as a fun way to exercise and was instantly hooked. Chris’ classes are a blend of traditional and modern techniques taught in his laid-back Hawaiian style – perfect for practitioners of all levels. His favorite part about teaching is seeing everyone progress on the mats from beginners to upper belts. Outside of Jiu Jitsu, Chris is a structural engineer and lives in Kenmore with his family.
Beau Richards
Brown Belt – Youth Jiu Jitsu Instructor & Gym Manager
Beau started training in May 2016 and is currently a brown belt under Bryan Alvarez. When he is not training, Beau is the head instructor for the Lil’ Dragons and Youth Jiu Jitsu programs at EKJJ. He also handles the day to day operations of the gym; making sure everything runs smoothly. If you have received an email or spoken to someone from the gym, it was probably him! His greatest joy is helping shape the young men and women in the classes into better people and helping them discover a sense of purpose and responsibility in their lives. Beau loves to learn and is always looking for ways to continually better his life and the lives of the people around him.