MEet The Owners

Ivy Jiu-jitsu The name Ivy comes from Alys’ mother who sadly passed away in December 2023. Not only was she smart, confident, strong minded and independent, the Ivy plant is also strong, relentless in its growth and can adapt to thrive in any environment, with its aerial roots clinging to anything, allowing it to climb to new heights. These are just some of the characteristics and traits we hope to be able to nurture in our students.

After opening our own school as Gracie Barra Mt. Juliet in 2022, it has been a labor of love. Family owned and operated, our members have helped us to thrive and we are all growing together, Just like ‘Ivy’. The school is us, we are the school, so it is time to forge on, with our own identity. We look forward to having you along for the ride.

We are Alys and Kevin Johnson. Kevin was born in Florida and raised right here in middle Tennessee. After high school he joined the United States Marine Corps and was stationed to Presidential Security at Camp David. After leaving the Marine Corps he graduated with his Bachelor’s Degree in Sports Management At Kieser University. He then served as a Police Officer at Metro Nashville Police Department and Franklin Police Department. After assisting and Coaching at Gracie Barra Franklin, Kevin found his calling as a Jiu-jitsu instructor when we opened our own Jiu-jitsu School.

Alys was born and raised in Birmingham, England and moved to the States to be with Kevin in 2016, with her daughter Phoebe. She worked as the Program Director at Gracie Barra Franklin for 4 years and also started to train. While going through a long IVF Journey and 3 successful pregnancies, Alys achieved her Blue Belt! And we now have three more beautiful daughters, Anwyn, Ivy and Sophie. Anwyn started training Jiu-jitsu at the age of 3 and competed in her first Jiu-jitsu competition, aged 4, in December ‘24. Both Ivy and Sophie are eager to start their training when they turn 3!