SCHOOL AND INSTRUCTORS

A clean, family friendly place to learn Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Jefferson City, Missouri

INSTRUCTORS

Professor Jonathan (JHow) Machado Da Silva

1st Degree Black Belt

Professor Jonathan Machado is Head Instructor at Gracie Barra Jefferson City. Professor Jonathan trained as a blue belt at Gracie Barra Mogi Guacu and graduated to black belt under Professor Fabio Lima in the Spring of 2020. Professor Jonathan owns a GB school in Brazil, where there are several adult and children students, currently under the responsibility of another professor! 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. Their favorite thing to do is spend time with friends and family. Professor Jonathan will be competing and training regularly and expects you to join him on the mats.

Coach Kirsten Allen

Brown Belt 3rd Degree

Coach Kirsten 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. After graduating high school and working a lot, she sought out something that would get her back into shape and keep her active. That is when Kirsten found Gracie Barra. Coach Kirsten has been training for over 3 years now with over 2 ½ years of coaching experience at Gracie Barra Hannibal. She is ICP 5 and ICP 6 certified, and currently working on ICP6 Revisited. She accepted a full-time position with Gracie Barra Jefferson City in the Spring of 2018.

Coach Jose Arias

Brown Belt 2nd Degree

Coach Jose was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. He loved to stay active and 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. He found Jiu-Jitsu in 2006 with American Top Team but could no longer train after moving to JeffersonCity.

CoachJose’s passion for Jiu-Jitsu never faded and he was ecstatic to find a home with Gracie Barra, right after it opened! His lifelong dream has always been to coach and has found a passion for teaching his favorite sport. Learning about the Legacy through the Instructors Certification Program only deepened his appreciation for Gracie Barra. Coach Jose now loves to pass on that legacy to others. He has led the kids competition team since its beginning in the summer of 2023. When not training or coaching, Coach Jose can be found spending time with his son and daughter.

Coach Nathan Miller

Purple Belt 4th Degree

Coach Nathan Miller was born and raised in Jefferson City until a house fire took him and his family to Russellville, where he lived until he married his wife. He is now back in Jefferson City with his wife and 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. In his spare time he likes to work on projects around the house and spend time with the family.

Coach RItchie Conley

Purple Belt 4th Degree

Ritchie 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). Ritchie works full time as an Insurance Agent at Luebbering Insurance in Jefferson City.

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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!