Khun Khru/Sifu/Lakan Guro 

-  Jon Nichols

I began training myself in martial arts at age 13, while living in New York. I was both my teacher and student. At age 15, I moved to Tennessee with my parents. It was there that I continued to learn from books, hard work, trial and error, and a significant amount of blood, sweat and tears. At age 16, I discovered the world of Bruce Lee; and, like so many other young men, I was heavily inspired by, and driven to be like no other, than, the master himself. I came from a very unfortunate and manual labor driven family. As a result, I did not have the means or resources to take professional lessons. Yet, I had drive to succeed and had the youthful desire to be the best martial artist. I simply could not settle for mediocrity or second best. My inner drive was what propelled me to continue through the years, regardless of the adversities I encountered.



In 1995, I began a "backyard" school that I operated from a two-car garage. I taught what I knew and what I had learned from years of study. The Tao of Jeet Kune Do and Bruce Lee's four Fighting Methods were my bible and workbooks, among many others. I studied every aspect of Bruce Lee's life and philosophies, and based on the information I attained from literature, personal experiences, research and training, I felt I had a sound and working base of knowledge. I kept an open mind and encouraged my students to bring forth anything they would like in order to continue the ever-expanding methods we practiced. When asked, I would tell people I taught Bruce Lee's philosophy of martial arts expression; because I knew to say, "I taught Jeet Kune Do", was to encapsulate and confine what we were doing. I also felt guilty to claim I taught Jeet Kune Do for I had not earned the accredited right to profess such a credential.



Upon teaching for some time, I came to realize I needed to further my education and expose myself to a greater arena of high-class martial artists. I had a deep-rooted Zen and Tao based philosophy, but needed a physical structure and methodology I did not feel I could get from books. I had developed keen physical tools, but lacked the necessary skills to use them to their fullest potential. I wanted to expand my school and advertise. Most importantly, I had the burning desire to be part of a family I felt so connected to on a conceptual and philosophical level, yet one that I had no connection with on a physical and acquaintance level. I activated myself by pursuing many of the top leaders in the martial arts community.




After years of training, competing, attending seminars
and teaching under the auspices of top-notch, qualified instructors I was granted instructorship in Jun Fan Gung Fu and the Filipino Martial Arts under Guro Dan Inosanto, and became a member of the Inosanto International Martial Arts Instructor's Association.  I also attained Khru level instructorship under Ajarn Surachai "Chai" Sirisute after having successfully passed the demanding and rigorous level III test.

I will never stop training my body and expanding my mind.  I have learned from first hand experiences that if you want something, mobilize and reach for it. With an open mind, a playful attitude and a lot of drive, one can do anything. You can dream about doing something, or you can do something about dreams.

Be the rule of your roost; and NEVER let anyone stand in the way of your dreams, no matter who that person is! 

Your dreams belong to you!