GRACIE JIU-JITSU NAPPANEE WILL BE CLOSED OCTOBER 16-19, 2024
Luke Johns
Head Instructor
Luke began his martial arts career young as a Karate instructor's son. Growing up learning martial arts instilled good character in him but offered little confidence in a real life self-defense scenario, even after earning his black belt. It wasn't until he discovered the gentle art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that he understood confidence and reliable self-defense techniques. He fell in love with the beautiful simplicity of jiu-jitsu and hasn't looked back. Luke is a follower of Christ, husband to the wife of his youth, and father to three incredible children. He has learned lessons through jiu-jitsu that apply to all of areas of life. He and the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Nappanee team are building a community of people dedicated to facing reality and embracing the journey to improvement while also keeping it playful along the way.
Lauren Johns
School Manager & Women Empowered Instructor
Lauren does a lot of the behind the scenes work to make the school run including keeping the website up-to-date, helping students register, sending out emails, and anything else that needs done. Lauren earned her Pink Belt in 2023 and completed the instructor certification process in January 2024. Lauren teaches our Women Empowered classes on Tuesdays and Saturdays. She is looking for more women to join her on the mat! You will likely also see Luke and Lauren's three children on and around the mat most nights, too.
Nicholas Geever
Assistant Instructor
Having grown up around Tae-Kwon-Do, Nick's practice and enjoyment of martial arts tracks back to his childhood but after stepping away from it in high school and pursuing some other passions, Nick found himself interested Jiu-Jitsu. Curiosity got the best of him almost four years ago and he has been training ever since. He is a two-stripe blue belt. His passion for the techniques, lessons, and camaraderie built into the art are what keep bringing him back. In fall of 2023 Nick began the Instructor Certification Program with Gracie University. He began teaching classes at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Nappanee in February of 2024.