INSTRUCTORS
Allan Manganello
Founder/ Head Instructor
Allan Manganello is the founder and head instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Louisville. He has over 40 years of martial arts experience (30 years training directly with the Gracie family) and is a retired LMPD police officer with 21 years of service.
Professor Manganello received his Jiu-Jitsu training from Masters Rickson Gracie and Pedro Sauer. He was awarded his Black Belt from Master Sauer in 2006 and currently holds the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt.
With training and teaching as his passion, he frequently travels and teaches seminars all over the world. Today, he continues to study and polish his Jiu-Jitsu skills, focusing on the most recent Gracie University curriculum with Ryron and Rener Gracie.
Carey Pilo
Instructor
Carey Pilo is a Gracie University Certified Instructor. In highschool he was a multisport athlete. His love for sports, fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle has continued throughout his adult life. He enjoys recreational running, swimming, skiing and of course Jiu-Jitsu. But before discovering Jiu-Jitsu, he dabbled in other martial arts occasionally. In 2009 Carey discovered Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and hasn’t looked back since. His dedication, persistence and many hours spent training, he has earned his Black Belt under Professor Allan Manganello. Carey has also enjoyed the sport of competing in tournaments, however he is most interested in lifelong learning, and training in a sustainable way that makes ongoing learning possible. Off the mat, Carey is a Board-Certified Osteopathic Physician and Cardiac Anesthesiologist with more than 15 years of clinical and teaching experience. He loves using his teaching abilities to share the art and benefits of Jiu-Jitsu with his students, so they can learn how to defend themselves in real life situations, boost their confidence and also enhance their physical fitness and mental health.
A.J. McClure
Instructor
A.J. McClure is a Gracie University Certified Instructor. He began his Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2019 and is currently a blue belt under Professor Allan Manganello.
AJ is very passionate about Jiu-Jitsu and all the benefits it has to offer. He enjoys helping his students understand the details of the various techniques and connecting them to practical situations in a street scenario.
“Jiu-Jitsu is for everyone.” ~ AJ
Brian Sanford
Instructor
Bio coming soon…
Leeann Manganello
Instructor
Leeann Manganello is a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor. Being a survivor of domestic violence, she became passionate about learning practical self-defense and empowering other women. She began training under her husband, Professor Allan Manganello, in 2014 and now teaches alongside him in the Women Empowered program. Her technical ability and outgoing personality make her an amazing instructor.
Anne Gregory
Instructor
Anne Gregory is a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor.
Anne is a proud mom of three boys, one with autism. Anne spent over a decade as a leader in the Autism community prior to beginning her Jiu-Jitsu journey. She was no stranger to the University, however, as she spent the same number of years driving her son David to his Shaolin Kempo karate classes.
After sitting in the waiting area all those years, Anne enrolled the first day Professor Allan Manganello began the Women Empowered program in August 2016. Initially enrolled to fill a void after her oldest son, Matthew, left for college, she realized almost immediately how emotionally rewarding the program would be. With rising confidence and technical ability, Anne earned her Pink Belt and shortly after completed the Women Empowered Instructor Certification Program. Since then, several of her family members have enrolled in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. As an instructor, she truly enjoys working with students of all ages and most importantly, ensuring they feel a strong welcome into our Jiu-Jitsu family.
Heidi Elston
Instructor
Heidi Elston is a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor.
She was introduced to Jiu-Jitsu in 2020 when her husband, Jared, signed her up for a Women Empowered seminar. Now she’s training side by side with him in the Combatives program. Their daughter, Genevieve, is also a student in the Bullyproof program, which you can find them helping as assistant instructors. Heidi’s love of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has continued to grow as she learned more techniques and realized as a runner, the protection and confidence Gracie Jiu-Jitsu offered her.
“Family is everything, so getting to share this journey together has been so rewarding.”
Laurelee Rubsch
Instructor
Laurelee started her Jiu-Jitsu journey in 2018. Once she earned her pink belt, she decided to become a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor. As a housecall veterinarian, she wanted to be sure she knew how to protect herself if necessary. Laurelee loves helping students understand the “how” and the “why” of the techniques. She also enjoys training with her sister, Kristilee (who is also a Certified Women Empowered Instructor). As Laurelee shares her knowledge and compassion as a Women Empowered instructor, she is also continuing her personal Jiu-Jitsu journey in the Gracie Combatives program.
“Being able to set boundaries with both strangers and non-strangers, having the confidence to back up those boundaries and get away safely, is truly life changing.” ~ Laurelee
Kristilee Williams
Instructor
Kristilee is a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor. She enrolled in the academy in 2018, after attending a seminar and becoming fascinated by the principles of Jiu-jitsu. Once she earned her pink belt, she wanted to further her education and help other women by becoming an instructor. She is so happy to be sharing this experience with her sister, Laurelee, who is also a Women Empowered instructor. Kristilee loves seeing the students’ excitement and confidence grow, once they realize how effective the curriculum is.
“The ability to physically protect yourself is an invaluable gift. I now walk through my life differently, knowing that I am strong and capable. It is a privilege to share this with so many amazing women.” ~ Kristilee
Melissa McCarty
Instructor
Melissa McCarty, also known as Mel, is a Gracie University Certified Women Empowered Instructor. In the fall of 2022, Mel concurrently enrolled in the Women Empowered and Gracie Combatives programs to acquire self-defense skills. Her dedication has been unwavering since then. Mel holds a Pink and Blue Belt under Professor Allan Manganello and participates in the Master Cycle program alongside her husband, Jason.
After witnessing the program’s positive impact on confidence, she pursued certification as a Women Empowered Instructor. Her goal is to impart the knowledge and self-assurance she has gained to future students.
Before finding her passion for Jiu-Jitsu, Mel dedicated her time to coaching high school students in various sports, including track and field, cross country, and volleyball. Her love for running, creating artwork, and volunteering at the Kentucky Humane Society showcases her diverse interests and her commitment to staying active and engaged in her community.
Mel’s perspective on Jiu-Jitsu goes beyond mere escape techniques. She believes that it encompasses a profound understanding of one’s importance and the right to self-defense and safety.
In her own words, “Jiu-Jitsu encompasses not only learning escape techniques but also recognizing one’s worth and the need for self-protection.”