Newaza Podcast: Episode 30: Cynthia Yang ad Athan Siamas

ATHAN SIAMAS: Athan Siamas is a brown belt under Mike Jaramillo and a co-founder/instructor at Renzo Gracie East Side Martial Arts. His experience as a teacher includes Renzo Gracie Middletown, Renzo Gracie Union Square, and in the famous “blue basement” at Renzo Gracie Academy HQ, in New York City. Through his ambassadorship with We Defy Foundation, Athan participates in seminars around the country, raising funds to provide combat veterans coping with military-connected disabilities a long term means to overcome their challenges through the art of jiu jitsu. Athan is also co-founder of The Happy Pill Project, a social media outlet that promotes the healthy and positive aspects of the jiu jitsu lifestyle with the goal of growing a larger and stronger community. In addition to being the engine behind its YouTube and social media posts, Athan is perhaps best known for his role in front of the camera as Mike’s main uke (the person who helps with the technique demonstration). Although Athan is the first to say that he does not always enjoy competing, he continues to challenge himself by entering competitions ranging from local tournaments to world championships. He believes the process of competition exposes him to different elements of jiu jitsu making him a more effective practitioner and instructor. CYNTHIA YANG: Cynthia Yang is also a co-founder and instructor at RGES. Recognizable on the mats by the orange notebook she writes in during lessons, she is the person behind the free flowcharts & illustrated glossary on The Happy Pill Project’s Linktree. Cynthia received her brown belt from Mike Jaramillo and continues to train at Renzo Gracie Academy HQ. Athan can be contacted on Instagram at: @athanjj Cynthia can be contacted on Instagram at: @cyy.bjj