Jake Johnston

In the balmy summer of 1992, Jake’s journey into the intricate world of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu began with a serendipitous encounter through a martial arts magazine. He ordered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Basics, and with it came two bonus VHS tapes: Gracie Jiu-Jitsu: In Action Vol. 1 & 2. The tapes were a revelation, prompting Jake to write to Rorion Gracie, seeking further enlightenment. Rorion’s response was not just a letter but a gateway, complete with a copy of The Gracie Diet and guidance on where Jake could learn Gracie Jiu-Jitsu in the United States. The options were Torrance, CA, with the Gracie Brothers; Honolulu, HI, with Relson Gracie; and Provo, UT, with Pedro Sauer. 

Growing up in the rugged terrains of Southern Utah, Jake chose to relocate to Provo, determined to train under Pedro Sauer. This quest, however, was anything but straightforward. It took Jake ten relentless months to track down Pedro, missing him narrowly at Bryant High School and again in Provo. But in the summer of 1993, destiny favored the persistent, and Jake finally began his training under the legendary Master Pedro Sauer.

Before this transformative chapter, Jake had been immersed in Muay Thai for about 18 months. Two pivotal encounters steered him towards Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. The first was a humbling sparring session with his instructor's formidable Samoan friend. Despite Jake’s relentless attacks, the giant’s single, powerful punch nearly knocked him out, revealing the limitations of Muay Thai for someone of Jake's smaller stature. The second was a challenge match against one of Pedro Sauer's students, who had only trained for three months. The no-rules fight took place in a closed store in St. George, UT, called Joker Joker. In both rounds, Jake was swiftly taken down and choked out, solidifying his resolve to master Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Jake was the first of Pedro Sauer's students to train "unlimited." Three months into his training, he forged a friendship with Pedro, and they began carpooling between the Provo and Salt Lake academies. Jake’s dedication was unparalleled, attending two private lessons weekly, training mornings and evenings, accumulating an average of four hours per day. He also trained with Bart Smith and Mica Cipili at the BYU wrestling room on Fridays, courtesy of Mark Schultz.

In August 2006, Jake achieved a monumental milestone, earning his black belt alongside his longtime teammate, Lonnie Foster. His teaching journey began around 1994 or 1995, initially with kids' classes, and eventually expanded to portable mats in parks, gyms, and Dixie High School’s wrestling room during his visits to Southern Utah.

In November 2009, Jake relocated back to St. George and began teaching out of his garage in 2010. Two years later, in 2012, he reached out to Rener Gracie and became one of the first black belts to pass the Instructor Certification Program (ICP) from the Gracie Academy, now Gracie University. This marked a profound shift in his Jiu-Jitsu philosophy, with Ryron Gracie becoming a mentor and close friend.

July 2012 saw the birth of Gracie Zion, where Jake began teaching classes with his two sons, Casey and Tyler, and his wife, Melissa. In 2022, he took a leap of faith, investing all his savings, supplemented by a dear friend’s gift, into a larger facility. He bid farewell to his architectural career to devote himself entirely to his true passion: teaching and sharing Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

Jake is celebrated for his playful, smooth, and efficient style, heavily influenced by Ryron Gracie, Pedro Sauer, and Grandmaster Helio Gracie. His journey is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the transformative power of martial arts. Today, at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu St. George, Jake continues to inspire and educate, shaping lives with the timeless wisdom and techniques of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.