John Garvens, Owner & Head Instructor
Rank: Black Belt
John Garvens is the owner and head instructor of Freeport Martial Arts. He grew up in Freeport and graduated from Freeport High School in May 2003. John earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Illinois State University in May 2007.
In March 2004, John enlisted in the United States Army Reserve as a trombone player. He served in the 85th Army Band for 12 years and completed the Basic Combatives (Level 1) Trainer Course — his first taste of Jiu-Jitsu — during that time.
John formally began his study of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in April 2011. His instructors include Rodrigo “Comprido” Medeiros, Lyndon Viteri, Mike Cimmarusti, Idriz Redzovic, Adem Redzovic, Brick Welch, Jordan Wilson, and Solomon Dixon.
Professor Garvens is an International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF) Certified Black Belt under Professors Adem Redzovic and Clark Gracie, both fourth-degree Black Belts under Grand Master Carley Gracie, a ninth-degree Red Belt. Professor Adem Redzovic is the owner and head instructor of the Downtown Jiu Jitsu Club in Chicago, Illinois; Professor Clark Gracie is the owner and head instructor of the Clark Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy in San Diego, California and the founder of the Gracie Allegiance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Team.
John lives in Freeport, Illinois, with his dog, Summer. In addition to owning and running Freeport Martial Arts, he works as the owner and principal architect of Garvens Consulting. John’s hobbies include reading, writing, and performing music with regional concert bands and jazz bands.
Thomas Foydel, Instructor
Rank: Purple Belt
Thomas Foydel is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt who instructs and trains at Freeport Martial Arts. In 2018, he began training under Jeff Serafin and has trained under Alan Stockman and John Garvens since 2022.
Thomas has also trained in boxing, kickboxing, wrestling, MMA, and taekwondo. His main hustle is software engineering, and his hobbies include gardening, music, and hiking.
Summer, Gym Dog
Rank: Purple Belt
Summer has been our loyal gym dog since Freeport Martial Arts opened in October 2022.
She loves jiu-jitsu and wrestling, but she gets most excited when we play chase.
Summer sleeps on her bed when she is not grappling or zooming around the gym.