MEET THE TRAINERS

Blackbelt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

Marcus Johnson has been a student of self-defense and a practitioner of martial arts for well over a decade. His experience started with the art of Hapkido which then lead to his introduction to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Jiu-jitsu and self-defense in general have been and continue to be his passion. His devotion to self-defense and desire to teach others has allowed him to teach many different groups how to protect themselves against attacks.

Over the last couple of years, Marcus has been working with one of Utah’s largest security firms as a member of their Executive Protection team. He has had the opportunity to provide personal security for many “high value” individuals along with local business owners that have received threats against their lives. As part of his work with the Executive Protection group, he teaches defensive tactics to the other Executive Protection team members.

Marcus has been self employed for close to 25 yrs in the insurance industry. He has been married for over 20 years to an amazing, patient wife and has 4 kids (1 girl and 3 boys) that still don’t mind hanging around him.

Carl started training Jiu Jitsu in 2008. After a few years he started teaching as a Jiu Jitsu fundamentals instructor. Carl has been involved in teaching in the Cache Valley in Northern Utah for nearly a decade. Carl is an active competitor who won the IBJJF No Gi World Championships in 2015 as a Purple Belt and again as a Brown Belt in 2019. In 2020 he received his Black Belt in Jiu Jitsu from Professor Johnny Carlquist, head instructor at Unified Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

As the brother to four sisters and the father of two daughters, Carl has always been an advocate for Women’s Rights. Sharing Self Defense is his way of giving back to the community.

Born in Auckland, New Zealand to Tongan/Māori parents, I moved to the U.S. at age 3. I'm a devoted husband and father of four wonderful kids. My martial arts journey began in childhood, leading me to earn a Unified Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under John Carlquist and James Gardner.

When I'm not teaching at Smart Defense or training on the mats, you might find me snowboarding at Snowbird, DJing at events, or cherishing moments with my wife and children. I'm deeply honored to contribute to this work and foundation.

A professional MMA fighter with a record of 14-2, BJJ blackbelt, National BJJ champion and proud father of 5.

Jason believes strongly in educating women and girls on all the risks and realities of self defense as well as instilling a strong sense of empowerment. He has been an advocate of women in combat sports and a coach and teacher for 5 years in both adult and kids programs.

Jason brings a sense of calm and trust into any room he joins. When he isn’t on the mats teaching or in the cage fighting, he loves the mountains, guns, Harley rides and making knives or jewelry in his shop.

Marci has worked in the fitness industry since 2009 as an instructor and personal trainer. She is a purple belt in Jiu Jitsu and the 2016 IBJJF Master World Champion (Master 3 blue belt light). She was the winner of the 2016 Bataan Memorial Death March which is a 26.2 mile race while wearing a 45 lb pack through the White Sands missile range in the desert of New Mexico with a finish time of 5:30:08.9.

Marci is an incredible triathlete, Saint George marathon finisher, and a 5 year participant in Wasatch Back Relay race.

She is a mother of 3 teenagers and one cute puppy. In her spare time she is an avid hiker and enjoys paddle boarding, camping, and anything outdoors.

Stan Beck has been training in the martial arts for over 30 years and has trained with many of the world’s top-ranked mixed martial arts competitors. He has become a champion himself in numerous N.A.G.A. and Grapplers Quest events, and is a two time medalist at the prestigious World Masters Championships.

Stan has studied directly under Renzo Gracie for over 20 years and has also trained extensively in many other martial arts styles and disciplines including Shotokan Karate, boxing, kickboxing, and Jeet Kune Do.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner & Trauma-Informed Self-Defense Coach

Amy Baker is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt and a trauma-informed self-defense coach based in Salt Lake City, Utah. With over two years of dedicated training, Amy has developed a deep passion for empowering others through martial arts—especially those healing from trauma.

A survivor of domestic violence, Amy’s personal journey led her to the Elizabeth Smart Foundation’s defense course, where she discovered the transformative power of self-defense. This pivotal experience inspired her to pursue martial arts more seriously and to dedicate herself to helping others find strength, confidence, and resilience through self-protection training.

In addition to her work on the mats, She is trained in mental health first aid and trauma-informed care.

Professor Aaron "Ace" Reis is the owner and Head Trainer at Fusion MMA & Jiu Jitsu. He has over 40 Years in Martial Arts training and over 20 years in Jiu Jitsu, starting in 1998 and earning his Jiu Jitsu Black Belt in 2009. He is a multiple time Heavyweight World Karate Champion as well as a Submission Grappling Champion.

He has been training amateur & professional fighters for many years and has met and trained with some of the world’s best athletes and fighters—from NFL athletes to UFC superstars. He is constantly looking to improve his students’ and fighters’ abilities.

Amy Aristizabal started her martial arts journey in Krav maga, focusing on self-defense ten years ago. Amy has competed in jiujitsu as well as amateur MMA and is currently a purple belt in jiu-jitsu. She owns her own gym where she manages and coaches with her husband. Amy is committed to empowering women through martial arts.

Apart from the gym Amy loves her dog and cat and holds a degree in finance.

I am Boyd Abernethy, I am 23 years old and Certified Smart Defense Instructor. I am a father of one, and my goal is to use my experience in combat sports to help Utah become a safer place for women. My combat sports experience started in 2014 when I began training in Wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Muay Thai. I have spent the past 9 years training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, going as far as Rio de Janeiro to compete. I am a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and a coach at multiple combat sports gyms in Utah. I have also previously fought in amateur MMA. I am also a Senior at Utah Valley University getting my bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Chelsea Kilpack is a third-degree purple belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under John Carlquist at Unified Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. In addition to jiu jitsu she has several years of Muay Thai training. Chelsea is a Certified Sexual Assault Counselor/Victim Advocate and community educator. Her master's degree research was on institutional barriers to sexual assault prevention curriculum in public schools, and her community lectures focus on violence prevention, the transformative power of enthusiastic consent in everyday life, and women’s rights more broadly. She is the former board secretary for the Utah Coalition Against Sexual Assault (UCASA). You can read more about her at chelseakilpack.com

Dayne Aristizabal has been teaching Martial Arts for nearly two decades. After training in traditional martial arts as a child Dayne met professor Pedro Sauer and was introduced to Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 14. Dedicating himself the practice and training multiple times a day he would earn his black belt in 2012 after nearly 11 years of full-time practice under professor Sauer. Dayne competed professionally in Mixed Martial Arts and was the head instructor at the world-famous Pit martial arts in Arroyo Grande CA under Coach John Hackleman. Dayne lived on the Pit compound and trained under coach Hackleman daily. Dayne is currently still competing in Jiu Jitsu and teaches arrest control to law enforcement.

PURPLE BELT BRAZILIAN JIU JITSU

Jennifer has been training for over 5 years and is a multiple time jiu jitsu champion. She is a great, highly-detailed instructor. She has a great time teaching women and looks forward to training them and helping reach their goals. She looks forward to meeting you on the mat.

Justin started his path of self-defense systems with Modern Army Combatives in 2008. He spent the next several years learning and instructing the curriculum for close quarters combat with the U.S. Army. This curriculum involved weapons and hand to hand combat. Justin is a father at home and a career firefighter/paramedic by profession. He enjoys training BJJ, mountain biking, and spending time with his family and friends. He believes in the value of providing self-defense to women, in a realistic manner, that actually sets them up for success in the real world.

Molly Jimenez is a purple belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor and instructor. As a mother of two boys, conversations about consent and respecting boundaries are ongoing in her household. She is passionate about uplifting and empowering other women to honor their own boundaries, learn tools to protect themselves and others, and recognize their innate self-worth.