About Us
Our “Why”: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu is the most proven and practical martial art in the world. Learning Jiu-Jitsu can be life changing. Students often find that the principles of the art saturate their entire life. We want to create a place where everyone can experience this. We accomplish this through the very intentional culture and instruction found in our programs. It is our mission to offer world class training to every demographic in a safe, clean, and structured environment.
ALSO – Scroll down to our program tour video.
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Meet The
Jonesboro Team
Here [insert school name], our staff is the secret to our student success. Each instructor has a rich background in martial arts and is eager to train the next generation of martial artists. Meet the team below!
Austin Morgan
Owner & Head Instructor
Austin is the head instructor and owner at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro. He is ranked directly under Rener and Ryron Gracie at Gracie University in Torrance CA. Austin is a police officer and has served in Law Enforcement since 2012. He has been assigned to patrol, K9, SWAT, and the criminal investigation division of his department over the span of his career. Austin also serves as his department’s defensive tactics instructor, where he teaches the same principles presented in our programs to fellow police officers to keep them safe in the street. Austin entered Gracie University’s Instructor Certification Program in 2021 where he spent the next year training to launch his own Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Certified Training Center. When Austin isn’t working or training Jiu-Jitsu, he loves spending time with his wife April and son Evan.
April Morgan
Co-Owner
Everyone meet April.
April is the co-owner of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro. April trains and assists in the Women Empowered program. She is a devoted mother to her son Evan, and wife to co-owner Austin. April’s presence is invaluable to our school.
She works the desk during classes and is always happy to help parents and students. April is a Speech and Language Pathologist at a local school and has experience treating patients of all ages. She enjoys reading, church, jiu-jitsu, and spending time with her family.
Chase Almond
Instructor
Instructor Chase Almond began training Jiu-Jitsu when Gracie Jonesboro opened in 2022. Chase is a former state champion wrestler and fell in love the efficiency and self-defense applicability of the Gracie Combatives program immediately. Once Chase graduated the Combatives program, he immediately began training for instructor certification. Chase became our school’s first Gracie University certified assistant instructor after completing the live evaluation at GU headquarters in Torrance CA in 2024. Chase is also a preacher at Grace Point Church of Christ in Jonesboro. He is a devoted husband and father to his wife and two daughters. Chase enjoys empowering students in our program’s unique vibe and culture.
Trevor Anderson
Striking Skills Coach
Coach Trevor is a BJJ black belt, former professional MMA fighter, and V3 Fighting MMA Champion. Trevor is a life-long martial artist with years of experience fighting, teaching, and competing. Coach Trevor teaches our Striking Skills class. Trevor got involved with Gracie Jonesboro through his friendship with owner Austin Morgan, and because he believes in our mission to make Jiu-Jitsu and self-defense accessible to everyone, especially those that need it most. Trevor is known for his fluid style of MMA stand-up, blending Muay-Thai and Kick-Boxing. He is one of the most technically sound and most experienced MMA fighters around and possesses a great personality and ability to teach. Trevor has served in the Army, and when he is not training he is a devoted husband and physical therapy assistant.
Mark Ballard
Judo Instructor
Mark Ballard is a Kodokan Judo black belt with over 50 years of experience teaching, training, and competing. Mark shares his knowledge with students and teaches the essential throwing techniques of Judo, and often relates how these techniques can compliment a Gracie Jiu-Jitsu student’s skills. Mark is a local sheriff’s deputy where he has served for several years.
C4 Gracie Bullyproof Instructors
Each Bullyproof class, certified instructors are assisted by our C4 instructors. C4 = Collect, Connect, Correct, and Communicate. C4 instructors receive specialized training to help deliver an amazing experience for our students.
Gracie University Certified Training Center Program Tour
Gracie Jonesboro’s status as a GU Certified Training Center (CTC) allows us to offer a value that is unmatched at any other BJJ affiliation in the world! Each student receives FREE ONLINE ACCESS to their program of study! Many practitioners spend hundreds of dollars per month on instructional videos from 3rd party sites. When they come to class, they can only hope that they will have a chance to practice their newly learned techniques. Our programs are structured so that you will know EXACTLY what you will be learning before you step on the mat, and your online access will give you the ability to study ahead for maximum retention and skill development. Come join us for a free 10 day trial and experience the benefits of Jiu-Jitsu training firsthand!
About Our History
Gracie Lineage
In 1925, Carlos Gracie established the first Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in Brazil. His brother, Grandmaster Helio Gracie innovated the art, focusing on techniques that allowed the smaller and weaker fighter to win against a larger opponent through patience, efficiency, and leverage. In 1978, Rorion Gracie brought Gracie Jiu-Jitsu to the United States, and in 1989 he established the first Gracie Academy on North American soil in Torrance, California.
The Gracie family orchestrated the first UFC tournament in 1993. In this first ever no-holds barred competition, Royce Gracie shocked the world by defeating all of his opponents despite being out weighed in nearly every match. Gracie Jiu-Jitsu took the world by storm. To accommodate the worldwide expansion of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, in 2017, Ryron and Rener moved the family business to an even larger facility and established “Gracie University” to reflect the shift from a single academy to a global organization.
Being certified and affiliated by Gracie University builds accreditation and validates the foundation of top-quality instruction. Our affiliate status with Gracie University guarantees our methods to be quality, structured, complete, and traditional. It even allows Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro students to be thoroughly evaluated for belt promotions. This status is unique across the world and it’s a great honor to be a part of!
Our Class Schedule
Stay up to date on training times—contact us if you have any questions about our classes.
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Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Jonesboro has everything for everyone! Join our community today and begin your Jiu-Jitsu journey! You can find us near the Malco Theater on Parker!