THE STORY OF EVX
Started with an idea of what martial arts training could be. Still evolving.
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu. 2008.
Evolution X Martial Arts began in 2008 as Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu — AKJ — founded by Josh Moree in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta, Georgia. It started with a clear instructional philosophy: train seriously, teach honestly, and build a community of people who actually want to get better. There were no grand launch events. Just a small group of people committed to learning martial arts.
The name Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu reflected the curriculum focus of the time — Kyusho Jitsu (pressure point striking) and Jujitsu formed the core of early instruction. Over the following years, the school grew steadily in both membership and scope. Grappling arts and contact-based fighting were increasingly emphasized. The curriculum expanded. The instructional philosophy deepened.
In 2018, Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu became Evolution X Martial Arts. The name change was not a rebrand — it was an honest acknowledgment of what the school had already become. The X in Evolution X carries a double meaning: the crossing of disciplines that defines the curriculum, and the DNA double helix — a nod to Josh Moree's deep appreciation for science and a statement that this school, like science itself, will never stop evolving.
17 Years. Still Moving Forward.
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu opens in the Old Fourth Ward neighborhood of Atlanta with two members and one instructor.
The school outgrows its original location and moves to the Poncy Highland portion of Midtown Atlanta — a larger space for a growing community.
For the first eight years, EVX was adults-only. In 2016, the school adds its first structured kids martial arts program.
Atlanta Kyusho and Jujitsu becomes Evolution X Martial Arts. The name reflects a curriculum and philosophy that has grown far beyond its origins.
The school moves to a new facility within the same Midtown Atlanta area, continuing to serve the community that built it.
A second location opens in East Cobb / Marietta, Georgia in February 2026 — bringing EVX training to the community where the Moree family has lived since 2018.
Why Evolution X.
By 2018, the curriculum had evolved to include more integrated striking, grappling, Filipino Martial Arts, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and a methodology built on behavioral science. The instructors, training methods, and focus had changed over the years.
"Evolution" speaks to what this school and it's people do: they change, they grow, they incorporate new understanding, and they refuse to stay in one place out of tradition alone. The "X" has two layers of meaning. First, it represents the crossing of disciplines — the integration of multiple martial arts into one cohesive system. Second, it is the double helix — the DNA strand — a direct expression of Josh Moree's love of science and a philosophical statement that the school's growth, like biological evolution, is continuous and principle-driven.
The name is also a promise. EVX will always evolve into something new. The curriculum in 2026 is not the curriculum of 2008 — and the curriculum of 2036 will not be what it is today. That is not instability. That is integrity.
The DNA double helix in the EVX logo is not decorative. It represents the intertwining of disciplines that defines the curriculum, the scientific philosophy behind the instruction methodology, and the belief that — like DNA itself — the fundamentals of what makes a martial artist capable are universal, even as their expression evolves.
Recognized. Accountable. Connected.
EVX is affiliated with and recognized by multiple martial arts organizations representing lineage, accountability, and connection to the broader global martial arts community.
Seale Academy of Martial Arts
Foundational lineage and martial arts heritage connecting EVX to a direct instructional tradition.
Shuri-Te Bujutsu Kai
The organizational body governing Shuri-Te Bujutsu — one of the classical Okinawan systems at the core of the EVX curriculum.
Small Circle Jujitsu International
The international governing organization for Small Circle Jujitsu, integrated throughout NextLevel Combatives.
International Modern Arnis Federation
The global federation for Modern Arnis — the Filipino Martial Art taught at EVX.
Diego Saraiva BJJ
EVX's Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu connection, connecting the school's BJJ program to an established lineage.
All Walks of Life. One Common Cause.
EVX is not a school built for a specific type of person. It is built for a specific type of intention. Adults and families from every background, profession, and walk of life train here — united by a single common cause: the desire to become better. Better at defending themselves. Better at managing stress. Better at showing up and doing something hard, consistently, over time.
The school has intentionally stayed exclusive — not in the sense of being selective based on background — but in the sense that character matters. Every member passes a federal background check. Every person who walks through the door is expected to come with a willingness to learn and the attitude to back it up.
Since 2008, that community has grown to over one hundred members across two locations. It includes professionals, parents, students, and veterans. First-timers and long-timers. People who have trained their whole lives and people who have never thrown a punch.
"Adults and families from all walks of life who come together for a common cause — to better themselves."
We Will Always Evolve Into Something New.
One of the things that defines EVX is what happens after people leave — or rather, what they do with what they've learned. Some members train for a season of their life and carry the discipline forward in everything they do. Some train for decades and become part of the school's foundation. And some go on to build their own schools.
Some of our black belts have went on to found their own programs or martial arts schools. That is not a loss — it is the point. A school that produces instructors, leaders, and founders is a school that is working. The goal was never to keep people inside EVX indefinitely. The goal was to develop capable, principled martial artists — and trust them to do something meaningful with it.
That is the legacy EVX is building. Not a single school, but a lineage. Not a fixed curriculum, but a living methodology. The school that opened in 2008 will not look the same in 2038. That is something to look forward to — not something to manage.
Be Part of the Story.
Book a class or text us directly at 770.692.3977.