“GRIT is such an awesome gym with a friendly environment with two very knowledgeable and experienced coaches. This gym is good for you regardless of if you’re competing or just looking for a good workout. Being a beginner in an MMA gym is intimidating but I assure you there’s nothing to be scared of at GRIT. They will make you comfortable with the basics and you’ll improve quickly.”
Quincy H., GRIT Member
The Frei Family
Carson and Haili met at an MMA gym in Portland in 2017. Their passion for fitness and martial arts brought them together. The duo love working out and finding new ways to make exercising and competing fun. Carson’s background and knowledge in health, fitness, teaching, and MMA makes for an amazing, technical coach who specializes in the integration of art forms into the sport of MMA. Haili’s experience with cardio kickboxing makes for a fun and energetic way of losing weight, getting in shape and learning self-defense.
Carson and Haili have two children that are often at the gym—Jace and Hazel. Jace is active in youth grappling and kickboxing classes. Hazel’s job is to water the plants and occasionally “cheer on” gym members whether they are on the mats, lifting weights, or on the bike.
It’s a family business!
Head Coach Carson
Carson James Frei was born and raised in Idaho. In 2012, Frei graduated from Lewiston High School. He moved to Vancouver, Washington to attend Clark Community College where he earned an Associates in Fitness Training. Carson has demonstrated a proclivity to the arts from the time he began karate at the age of five and has continuously trained in mixed martial arts year-round for 25 years. Carson studied under Sensei Frank Arnett at Martial Arts America, Lewiston, Idaho. In the 1980s, Arnett was ranked as #1 in full contact karate in the Pacific Northwest. After earning his black belt in karate at the age of 12, Carson began taking Arnett’s mixed martial arts classes. He worked out of several Portland Metro gyms before the Frei’s opened GRIT MMA. Carson won his first amateur fight when he was fifteen and won seven MMA and two kickboxing amateur competitions. In 2015, Frei began competing as an MMA professional. Carson is a top-level contender and a successful fighter having competed in 16 professional MMA bouts and is currently competing in the lightweight division. “I love working with all my clients regardless of age or ability to help them achieve their personal fitness and/or competitor goals.” See our MMA page and Youth page!
Gym Manager/ Coach Haili
Haili was born and raised in Canby, Oregon. In 2011, she graduated from Canby High School. After high school, she became a “regular” in the cardio kickboxing classes in a local gym and found her passion in weightlifting, cardio and overall health and fitness. Haili believes in creating healthy habits. She believes cardio kickboxing is the fastest and most fun way to get in shape– and stay there. To increase her knowledge base and to ensure her classes are satisfying and productive, Haili is an ISSA-Certified Group Exercise Instructor. She wants to make fitness fun and interesting for everyone. In addition to her coaching, Haili is the gym’s business manager and does her best to ensure the gym provides a positive environment where all are welcome. Check out Haili’s Cardio Kickboxing!
Coach Joey
Joey Walker is a native of Milwaukie, OR and a Milwaukie High School graduate. In 2015, Joey began to train under Coach Carson Frei. Joey is an active MMA competitor. In 2022, he was ranked #1 in the Pacific Northwest under his weight class. Joey is a favorite among fans as his fights often end in knock out. Along with a Taekwondo black belt, Joey has extensive MMA experience. Integrating western boxing techniques with Muay Thai, Joe has a hybrid style of fighting that is exciting to watch. Joe is happy to be supporting GRIT members in their efforts to reach personal goals—whether they are for fitness, self-defense, or competition. Check out his Muay Thai classes. Interested in Joey’s Muay Thai?
