Gracie Barra Jefferson City: A Look Inside Our School

Explore our state-of-the-art facility and get to know the certified instructors who make our academy a place of excellence and inspiration.

"JIU JITSU FOR EVERYONE"

Our Facility

A Safe Environment

Our school is equipped with top-quality mats and ample training space to ensure a safe and comfortable environment for all students. We adhere to the highest standards of hygiene and safety to provide a worry-free training experience.

A Place for Everyone

From kids learning discipline and respect to adults mastering self-defense techniques, our facility is designed to accommodate everyone. Whether you're here for fitness, competition, or personal growth, Gracie Barra Jefferson City is your home for Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Built on the Legacy of Gracie Barra

As part of the world’s largest Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu organization, Gracie Barra Jefferson City is committed to upholding the values of discipline, respect, and teamwork. Our instructors and students embrace these principles to create a supportive and empowering community.

A Family-Friendly Atmosphere

We pride ourselves on being more than just a martial arts school. Our family-friendly environment encourages parents and children to train together, fostering bonds that extend beyond the mat.

Gracie Barra Jefferson City training mats

Legacy Wall at Gracie Barra Jefferson City

Seating available at Gracie Barra Jefferson City

Changing rooms at Gracie Barra Jefferson City

Font Desk of Gracie Barra Jefferson City

Instructors

Black Belt 1st Degree

Professor Jonathan Machado is Head Instructor at Gracie Barra Jefferson City. His main goal is to keep the legacy alive by teaching Jiu Jitsu to anyone willing to learn. The professor is a more reserved and quiet person but he loves to compete! Competing beside his students, he loves the adrenaline and challenge of the fight. Professor Jonathan and his wife Joana (brown belt) can always be found together on and off the mats.

Brown Belt 3rd Degree

Coach Kirsten Allen grew up outside of Nashville, Tennessee where she lived half of her childhood. She attended a Private Christian school and was very active with her school and church. Coach Kirsten played softball and enjoyed mountain biking as well as hiking with family and friends nearly every weekend. After moving to northeast Missouri, she started horseback riding lessons which lead to training horses.

Brown Belt 2nd Degree

Coach Jose Arias was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He was part of the Dominican Republic’s national swimming team, leading him to compete in the Atlanta Olympic trials for swimming. Coach Jose moved to the United States in 1999 where he found his second outlet for competition. He trained MMA from 2003-2006 finishing a 4-0 career in amateur cage fighting. Coach Jose can be found spending time with his son and daughter.

Purple Belt 4th Degree

Coach Nathan Miller was born and raised in Jefferson City where he met his wife and now has two kids. Nathan always wanted to compete in wrestling, but the Russellville school system did not offer that so when the Gracie Barra school opened it gave him the opportunity to fulfill that dream. He was also wanting something that his son, who has Autism, could participate in and use for self-defense. Now it has become a family affair with his wife and daughter training as well.

Purple Belt 3rd Degree

Coach Ritchie Conley is a graduate of Jefferson City High School, Class of 2006, where he played several sports including Wrestling. Ritchie married his wife Hannah in 2010 and they have 2 children (Clara & Remi), both who train as part of the Gracie Barra family. Ritchie graduated from University of Louisiana at Monroe with a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, Master’s degree in Communication, and Master’s degree in Teaching (English).

Learn About Memberships

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: What age is too young to start?

The best time will always be as soon as you can. With that said, we have found throughout the years that 4 years old and up seems to be where kids thrive. However, some 3 year olds have been able to do well in our classes. We do not take kids younger than three.

Question 2: What age is too old to start?

There's no such thing as too old. We have had several members train up into their 70's and 80's.

Question 3: How is Jiu Jitsu different from Tae Kwon Do, Karate, etc.

Jiu-Jitsu is different from Taekwondo, Karate, and similar martial arts because it focuses on grappling and ground fighting rather than strikes like punches and kicks. While Taekwondo and Karate emphasize standing techniques, speed, and power, Jiu-Jitsu teaches how to control and neutralize opponents using leverage, submissions, and strategic positioning, especially in situations where a fight may go to the ground.Another key difference is the approach to training and problem-solving. Jiu-Jitsu is often described as a "physical chess match," requiring students to think critically and adapt to their opponent's movements. This makes it not only effective for real-world self-defense but also a mental and physical challenge. At Gracie Barra Jefferson City, Jiu-Jitsu is taught in a supportive, team-focused environment, helping students build confidence, resilience, and a strong sense of community.

Question 4: What do I need to do to get ready for Jiu Jitsu training?

Nothing! Just like any other sport or self defense, you need to do Jiu Jitsu to get better at Jiu Jitsu. That means you don't need to get in better shape to do Jiu Jitsu, you just need to start.

Question 5: What happens in a normal class at Gracie Barra Jefferson City?

In an intro class, you will be greeted at the front desk. You will sign a waiver and be fitted for a uniform. We will show you around the school and likely even introduce you to a few people. After this we will show you to the changing rooms, allow you to change and show you to the mat. You will be introduced to the instructor and join the class. We will then do a seven minute warm-up exercise regime. If it's a kids class we will continue with a few exercises which teach mobility and body movement. We will practice several techniques and even do some light sparring. After this we will meet you back on the mats to show you where to put the used uniform and meet you at the desk for any questions. You'll get in a great workout and have a lot of fun doing it!