Sifu / Lead Instructor - John Staab
History:
For as long as I can remember, I've wanted to do martial arts.
When I was five, my father indulged my desire to learn and took me to a Karate School in Denver. But the instructor there felt I was too young to train, and didn't allow me to join the school. Although I was disappointed, I didn't lose my motivation to learn martial arts and thought about it constantly for the next seven years.
Around the age of 12, I began my martial arts training in Tae Kwon Do (like just about everyone else I knew). After a year or so, life interceded and I drifted away from TKD for a time. However, when I was able to dedicate myself to TKD again, I focused on my training and ultimately earned my Black Belt.
But I wanted more.
When I was 16, I got my first job and my first paycheck, which I used to enroll in a Muay Thai Kickboxing school. After two years of constant KB training, I felt the urge to explore other martial arts and began to hop around, exploring whatever styles I could find.
In the early 90s (not coincidentally, around the same time the UFC was starting), I happened across Jiu-jitsu school. I enrolled and immediately fell in love with Jiu-jitsu. Once I'd obtained my Black Belt, I began helping the Instructor with the school.
Over time, I found that I was, once again, anxious to expand my training and began to check out other schools and styles.
In early 2000, I was introduced to Dan Inosanto and the Inosanto Method-another key turning point in my martial arts training, as learning how to blend arts has been pivotal to my growth.
Since then, I've been inspired to provide martial arts and fitness training to normal, non-competitive people who want to get in
"professional" shape. That inspiration compelled me to open my own school.
In 2005, we opened the doors to Leading Edge Kickboxing and Martial Arts. Today, I continue to pursue my passion for the martial arts by continuing my education in Muay Thai and Jiu-Jitsu, as well as training in Doce Pares and Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu.
Experience:
Asistant Instructor: Muay Thai Kickboxing (1987)
Assistant Instructor: Jiu-jitsu (1996)
Assistant Instructor: Kali / Wing Chun / Jeet Kune Do (2002)
Kickboxing Coach: Federal Aviation Administration, 24-Hour Fitness; WYCA; Callaway
Fitness; Epicenter Fitness; Vivecorp Fitness; Hasbro Inc.
Credentials:
Black Belt in Jiu-Jitsu
Instructor Rank in Muay Thai Kickboxing
Instructor Rank in Jun Fang Gung Fu
Instructo Rank in Kali / Silat
Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do
Contact us
810 SW 34th Street
Suite C
Renton, WA 98057
(located in Oakesdale Commerce Center)
Email: jws@leadingedgekickboxing.com
Office: (425) 656-2868
Cell: (253) 678-7093
Click HERE for a map and directions
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