I've been at Strong Heart for about 4 months now. I've been training in martial arts for several years now, and have trained at a variety of gyms in the valley for different disciplines. In my experience there are two factors that make a gym successful. The quality of the training, and the culture.
The level of instruction at Strong Heart is top notch. You can learn the basic techniques of BJJ from any gym. At Strong Heart you will not only learn the basic technique, you will also be taught the subtle details and tweaks to that technique that can make it work for your individual style and body type. This attention to detail is what makes Mike and the other instructors at Strong Heart truly great. They love what they do, and it shows.
Besides the quality instruction, the members and culture are really what sets Strong Heart apart. Starting a combat sport, or even just starting at a new gym can be a very intimidating experience. Every single person I have met at Strong Heart has gone out of their way to introduce themselves and welcome me to the gym. They constantly offer advice and encouragement. There are no egos, everyone pushes and helps each other improve.
It doesn't matter if you have been training BJJ for a decade, or if you have never done a martial art in your life. Strong Heart is the place for you. If you are looking to compete then there are people who will push you hard and give you the hard sparring. If you have never practiced before, members of all levels will help you along the way.
If you are located anywhere in the Phoenix area, and have even a passing interest in BJJ or martial arts then please do yourself a favor and stop by Strong Heart. There are classes to fit pretty much any schedule, and the location is right off two major freeways and easy to get to.