Jared Jessup

Founder/CEO of iQ

Professor, 3nd Degree

Black Belt

Jared began his dedication to the martial arts in April of 1995. Since 1996, he has traveled and studied extensively with the Gracies. In 1996, Jessup attended a Royce Gracie seminar and was blown away with what he learned. In 1997, he spent a week with Helio, Roroin and Royce Gracie in the Poconos mountains of Pennsylvania. In 1998 & 1999 he spent a month out of each year living and training in California at the Gracie Academy. While there he attended all possible classes and made the most he could out of the gratifying experience.

Throughout the years Jessup has had the honor of training with grand master Helio Gracie on numerous occasions as well as receiving his honorary private instruction. Jessup was blessed with having Royce Gracie as a professor and friend since 1996, a rare privilege and honor. He has also had the benefit of training with many of the greats such as Rickson, Reylson, Rorion, Royler, Ryron, Rener, Ralek, and Rodrigo Gracie; Pedro Sauer; Pedro Valente senior, Pedro and Gui Valente; Carlos “Caique” Elias; Carlson Gracie Jr.; Carlos Machado; Matt Hughes; Mike Pyle; Greg Thompson (H2H); Dan Inosanto and many more. On October 10, 2022, Jared Jessup was awarded the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt Professor by Royce Gracie. In February 2024, after careful consideration, Jared made the difficult decision to depart from the Royce Gracie Network to establish his own network. With 28 years of mentorship under Royce Gracie, Jared is no longer a representative of Royce. He remains committed to continuous learning and seeks new opportunities for growth. His classes emphasize street self-defense while also incorporating elements of sport and mixed martial arts (MMA).

Jiu-jitsu is far more than knowledge of techniques. It is a process, a focusing of all of our faculties with the purpose of bringing them harmoniously together. It’s in finding this balanced state that mastery of the art is achieved. By finding the principles of human movement and learning to cooperate with them, the struggle of a fresh Jiu-Jitsu practitioner, given time, consistency and dedication, will blossom into the art of a seasoned disciple of Jiu-Jitsu.

For this reason, a practitioner may study thousands of techniques and only scratch the surface of Jiu-Jitsu. Rather than training in numerous varieties of complex techniques, my class goal is to discover the underlying principles which govern all Jiu-Jitsu techniques and theories. This is accomplished by unpacking techniques in a manner which gives the practitioner the fundamental building blocks of the art. The idea is to first understand simple things deeply. When these essential principals are properly understood, it becomes relatively easy to pick up any technique and even create your own.

This necessary understanding of the principles is what allows the Jiu-Jitsu to creatively flow out of the practitioner. A flower cannot be forced to unfold, but when placed in fertile ground will blossom of its own accord. Likewise, rather than force a technique to fit into a ridged frame work of steps, we cultivate it to achieve the essence from which each technique is derived. This by nature produces a well rounded practitioner that is rooted with a practical and solid foundation. As the principles of the art unfold there is often a shift in how the practitioner perceives and relates to life situations. Through teaching Jared strives to equip his students with an understanding that when applied properly produces sound Jiu-Jitsu, and on a deeper level sound living. All lasting growth must come from a good base and solid foundation.

Credentials:

University of Kentucky Bachelor of Arts, Psychology

3rd degree Jiu-Jitsu Professor - Black Belt

G.R.A.C.I.E. Certified Law Enforcement Instructor 2007

Gracie Survival Tactics Certified Law Enforcement Instructor in 2014

Two Time Gracie National Jiu-Jitsu Champion

Black Belt (Shodan) in classical ju-jitsu

Founder of IQ Jiu-Jitsu

ACE Certified Personal Trainer 2006

IKFF Certified Kettlebell Teacher

Served on the Black Belt Council for Black Belt promotion for Royce Gracie & Valente Brothers multiple times

elias everett (e.j.)

Apprentice level 4

Brown Belt 

EJ’s earlier years were a battle.  Subject to various forms of physical and emotional bullying throughout his childhood, he struggled with self esteem and confidence.
When he was 11 years old, he watched UFC 1, and witnessed Royce Gracie defeat the larger, very athletic Ken Shamrock.  Inspired by this event, EJ started wrestling with friends, boxing with his father, and imitating Jiu-Jitsu on his coffee table.  At 18 years old, he began training MMA near his home in West Frankfort, taking amateur fights every chance he could.
After changing gyms several times, EJ found iQ Jiu-Jitsu.  He was so impressed by Jessup’s quality of instruction and execution of technique that he signed up and began attending classes daily. 

After earning his blue belt in 2013, he dedicated himself to the Instructor Program, and now teaches full-time.  

“I feel like all the moments in my earlier life - the bullying, the boxing and wrestling, schooling, MMA fights - were all drawing me to iQ.  I have learned more life lessons from Jared than I have in all my years of school and college.  Jiu-Jitsu has given me a purpose, a reason to improve myself.   
I truly believe that we can create a better world through the next generation, and Jiu-Jitsu is my contribution to the future.  I teach so that no child need feel powerless or alone.  I have dedicated my life to the enhancement of each and every student I have the privilege of instructing.”

When he is not teaching, EJ enjoys films and computer programming.  He also dedicates much of his time to self study, particularly psychology and philosophy, and maintains a rigorous exercise regimen five days a week.

Credentials:

4-1-1 MMA Record

Spencer Galloway

Apprentice Level 4

Purple Belt 

Spencer began training at the age of 12, and quickly distinguished himself through consistency and diligence.   "At the time," he says, "I had no idea that I would one day be teaching the classes I enjoyed so much."

Jiu-jitsu has influenced Spencer's life in an enormous way.  Formerly seeking a living in the music industry, he now aspires for a future in instructing.  The longer he trained, the more he realized the meaningful impact iQ and Gracie Jiu-jitsu were having on him. "It was much more than just self defense - it became a lifestyle.  It has changed my perspective on many aspects of life, from my personal relationships to how I handle day to day situations."

Outside of iQ, Spencer is a gifted musician and enjoys playing the guitar and trumpet.

His help and dedication at the academy is much appreciated.

Jeremiah Teal

Apprentice level 3

Purple Belt 

Jeremiah Teal has been training at IQ Jiu-jitsu since 2017.  “With a background in wrestling, I thought I had a good grip on self-defense. I was way off, within minutes I learned how little I knew and how much I can learn through Jiu-jitsu”

Like a lot of people, Jeremiah started for self-defense but ended up staying for all the other reasons.  “The philosophy, the camaraderie with others, and the overall approach that IQ brings to Jiu-jitsu and life are just some of the reasons I keep coming back.  This has not just changed my outlook on self-defense but in life in general” 

Outside of teaching at IQ as an instructor, Jeremiah is also a substitute teacher in the local area and is currently studying to get his middle school endorsement to teach.  “They are two sides to the same sword the more I sharpen my skills as an instructor at IQ the better teacher I am at school and the more I learn teaching the better instructor I become”

Misty Jessup

CFO

Queen Bee

Misty Cat is the magic in the machine. She keeps track of the unseen so each client has a smooth, simple, and pleasant iQ experience. As an organizational guru, she leads company meetings, plans and schedules seminars and public events, keeps up with stock inventory and purchase orders as well as payment processing and class tracking.  Misty is diligent whether composing one of hundreds of emails or orchestrating the iQ Newsletters. Her attention to detail does not go unnoticed. She is outstanding at generating creative systems and auditing processes that keep the academy running smoothly. Public relations and an eye for advertising are her talents. But overall, Misty is thoughtful as she continues to take good care of us all…and Jared loves her.

Instructor program

Lead. Inspire. Become.

To best serve our community, we are dedicated to setting the standard for teaching excellence.

Every instructor is a diligent student of the Art, constantly continuing their own education.   Each of our trainers undergo a thorough and enriching Instructor Program designed to teach the science of teaching.

Through hours of mentored observation, note-taking, and hands-on experience, prospective instructors hone their skills under the watchful tutelage of experienced teachers.  This Program is a set of techniques, methods and principles that equip a trainer to draw out a student's maximum potential.

Each level within the Program denotes hundreds of hours of work, and significant responsibility.

Through this rigorous and rewarding journey, every candidate contributes uniquely to the Academy and the Art

active instructor requirements:

Apprentice level 1

Requirements:

• Blue Belt

• 80 hours of mentored class assistance with written notes, outside of regular training

• 20 hours of mentored observation with written notes

• Graded notes on teaching methods

• Attend weekly instructor meetings

• Train a minimum of two days per week

• In-depth understanding of Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals and the principles governing the Art

• Dedicated to self improvement

• Helpful and friendly

Minimum of 250 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher

Apprentice level 2

Requirements:

• Blue Belt

• Apprentice Level 1 completion

• 350 hours of class Instruction with written notes

• 100 hours of mentored class assistance with written notes

• 50 hours of mentored observation with written notes

• Graded notes on teaching methods

• Attend weekly instructor meetings

• Train a minimum of two days per week

• In-depth understanding of Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals and the principles governing the Art

• Dedicated to self-improvement

• Helpful and friendly

Minimum of 600 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher

Apprentice level 3

Requirements:

• Purple Belt

• Apprentice Level 2 completion

• 750 hours of class instruction with written notes

• 75 hours of mentored observation with written notes

• Graded notes on teaching methods

• Attend weekly instructor meetings

• Train a minimum of two days per week

• In-depth understanding of Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals and the principles governing the Art

• Dedicated to self-improvement

• Helpful and friendly

Minimum of 1,425 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher.

Apprentice level 4

Requirements:

• Purple Belt

• Apprentice Level 3 completion

• 975 hours of class instruction with written notes

• 100 hours of mentored observation with written notes

• Graded notes on teaching methods

• Attend weekly instructor meetings

• Train a minimum of two days per week

• In-depth understanding of Jiu-Jitsu Fundamentals and the principles governing the Art

• Dedicated to self-improvement

• Helpful and friendly

Minimum of 2,500 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher

Instructor

Requirements:

• Purple Belt

• Apprentice Level 1- 4 completion

• 2000 hours of Class Instruction

• Approved by Instructor Council

• Thesis - Subject of study determined and presented in an orderly constitution

Minimum of 4,500 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher

Professor

Requirements:

• Black Belt

• Instructorship complete

• 5,500 Hours of Class Instruction

• Dissertation of original research in a decided field to further the understanding of the Art

Minimum of 10,000 hours dedicated to becoming a better teacher

NOTE:  The completion of Instructor Program Requirements does not guarantee certification.
Certification will be awarded when deemed appropriate by the Instructor Counsel.