Professor Jonathan Machado
First Degree Black Belt
ICP 2025, CPR
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.
Nathan Miller
Purple Belt
ICP 2025, CPR
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.
Kirsten Allen
Brown Belt
ICP 2024, CPR
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.
Coach Kirsten trained at Gracie Barra Hannibal for four years after searching for a fun way to exercise. She accepted an assistant instructor position soon after the opening at Gracie Barra Jefferson City. When not on the mats teaching students you can find her and her family hunting, hiking, cooking, or taking any sort of outside adventure!
Ritchie Conley
Purple
ICP 2025, CPR
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).
Jose Arias
Brown
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.
