Apex Jiujitsu

Apex Jiujitsu is led by Cris Johnson, a black belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu who traces his martial arts roots back to Song Moo Kwan karate under Master Gary Mattevi. After earning his karate black belt in 2002, Cris transitioned to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2005 through the Pedro Sauer Association, advancing steadily under instructors like Greg Nelson and Ishmael Bentley. His training includes seminars with Pedro Sauer and Royler Gracie, reflecting a deep technical foundation that shapes the academy’s approach. Shawn Woodhull, a brown belt who began training with Cris in 2006, oversees no-gi classes, adding breadth to the instruction. The academy’s schedule revolves around structured gi classes focused on fundamentals and progressive skill development, led primarily by Cris Johnson. Evening sessions on Mondays and Thursdays begin with fundamentals before moving into full class training and open mat time. No-gi instruction comes Wednesday evenings, guided by Woodhull, while weekend morning classes include both adult sessions and kids’ classes. The kids’ program runs twice weekly, supporting younger practitioners in learning the art with age-appropriate attention. Training at Apex emphasizes technical precision and the practical application of leverage and joint control over brute strength, reflecting Cris’s background and philosophy. Class sizes balance variety and individual attention, fostering steady improvement for beginners through advanced students. Open mat periods provide additional opportunities for live rolling and skill refinement. The academy occupies a central location in Duluth with access from the alley near SuperOne Foods, accommodating drop-ins for those exploring the art or supplementing their regular training.

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