Honestly... none of them.

This may not make any sense, at least until you begin your training at Kaizen.

So... let me back up a second. While I hate name dropping, I began training at the age of 12 in various styles like Tae Kwon Do, Hapkido, Jujitsu, Judo, Boxing, Muay Thai, Escrima, Silat, Kali Sikaran, PSNA, Reactive Knife, yada yada yada... in my opinion... none of them matter. I no longer utilize their styles or acknowledge my former belt ranks or titles.

In my late teens, I earned the rare and great opportunity to begin training under men who would forever reshape the course of my martial life. The many years I spent traveling to France and Tahiti to learn and study with them forever forged my method of training and fighting. It is their legacy, I strive to share with others as best I can.

What I teach now is most easily described as "Close Quarters Combat" or "CQC" for short. It is not a "style", but rather a "method of training". This system of fighting and self-defense is based upon a solid foundation of skill, while developing instinct, muscle memory, freedom, and discovery. It is ones ability to improvise, adapt, and overcome that matters, not his style.

An attacker (your opponent) doesn't care what style you know, or what belt you have, or if your school was accredited... they simply want to harm you. It's your skill and courage that will assist you... not your memorized forms or trophies.

For more answers to your questions on what I teach, please refer to my BLOG on this site. I will further discuss my background with the men I trained under in France and Tahiti. What I gained from my many years with them... to me is priceless. I strive to pass on to others what, they gave to me.

Some instructors refer to themselves as "The Great Grandmaster of the Century". Others aren't quite as arrogant, though narcissim compels them to be revered as "Masters". They hold these titles because they paid their testing & affiliation fees (and the check cleared), memorized all their katas, and blindly followed outdated traditions set by their instructors like sheep. To demonstrate their powress, they perform ridiculous self-defense skills with partners who are compliant and cooperative in a pre-determined and controlled environment.

As for my belt ranks and titles... I tossed them aside years and years ago. I happily abandoned all affiliations and recognition of any titles I formerly held. My continued training, experiences, and development of skills internally and externally hold far more value than a printed certificate of rank hanging on my walls.

I'm simply someone who's achieved a certain level of skill and understanding of combat. I've been a fighter and a bouncer, and I've experienced my fair share of real-life encounters. I've spent my life training others who could care less what style I offer or what belt I have... all that mattered to them was "could I train them to fight, or fight even better"?

With this mindset, I pass on my experience and knowledge to anyone willing to learn and apply themselves. I pride myself on the accomplishments of those who train with me, not by how many stripes I've had sewn into my belt and uniform.

The only accreditation I require comes from my reputation, the quality of training I offer, and the success of my students dedicated to their training.

The youngest students I accept must be at least 5 years of age, and capable of focusing and following basic instructions during class.

While I do help students develop their focus and concentration, they must not be disruptive to the class, which hinders the learning and personal attention given to the other students. It's simply not fair to other students striving to learn, and for their parents who paying for these lessons, if I have to focus entirely on one student who is unfocused or disruptive.

If over time, a student continues to be disruptive and unfocused in class, or abuses what I teach, they will be removed from my studio.

My Wildcats program is for ages 5-9. My Youth classes are for ages 10-15, and my adults begin at 16+. From time to time, these age categories fluctuate based on the size and maturity of the student.

I additionally separate my classes by skill level, so students are training with others at their level, whether it's beginner or advanced.

I offer a very flexible schedule for all age and skill groups at Kaizen. While I recommend students attend at least two classes per week, they are welcome and encouraged to attend as many as four each week.

There are never any extra costs for doing so. I don't believe in punishing a students ambition to develop their skills, by charging them extra money for attending additional classes.

This also provides flexible in everyones schedule, as they can mix and match which days/times they attend class each week. All of my classes are divided by Age & Skill, with limited enrollment to maintain quality personal attention.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see our full schedule.

Absolutely! I actually encourage this, as it allows parents to see first hand how I work with my students, and provides great support for them as well.

Our studio is massive, with over 5,000 sq ft of space. This includes a beautiful front lobby with lush plant life, ambient lighting, a Koi pond and waterfall, and live viewing of the studio during class.

There is also a parents lounge with couches, tables, coffee, and a large TV which monitors the class via a studio camera.

In the back of our studio, we have a spacious gaming room and fully equipped fitness center, which is available for free for our parents and adult students.

*Parents, I respectfully yet firmly request "NO SIDE COACHING" during class! While I completely understand and appreciate your desire to help your child perform their best in class, side coaching not only distracts your child, but also the other students, and even myself.

I will always work my hardest to keep your child performing at their best and to help them achieve their goals. It's great to be involved in their progress, but best when done after class or while practicing with them at home. Thank you for your cooperation and respect on this matter!

My adult classes are nothing like my youth classes. Adult training is entirely informal, with no belts, no uniforms, no testing, no "Sir, Yes Sir" formalities, and no ridiculous spinning kicks or karate kid jumping kicks for adults to do.

Adults who attend training with me are not sheep. They don't pay me to be yet another boss barking orders at them and giving them pushups... we train as equals, striving for the same goals to develop fighting skills and instincts.

While classes are based on practical and effective skills, and we strive for safety, I must also mention they are and can oftentimes be very intense. There is contact, lots of it. You will get hit, kicked, choked, thrown, grabbed and more. Learning to fight doesn't come without it's fair share of bruises, both physically and emotionally.

Additionally, while adults don't need to be body builders or superb athletes, there is a basic level of fitness and mentality they must possess in order to train. If you don't like getting hit... perhaps there is another activity best suited for you.

Kaizen has a studio in both Reedsburg and Mauston! Students are allowed to attend classes at both locations for additional training and more flexibility at no extra cost!

REEDSBURG: Our main studio is in the Downton business district, in it's own massive building on the one-way street of 125 North Walnut. It's sidewalk canopy lights up the sidewalk and is very easy to find.

Parking is available directly outside the studio, or in any of the many parking lots surrounding the studio.

MAUSTON: Our Satellite location is in the Mini Strip Mall across from True Value. We're next to Gordos Restaurant and our address is 651 N. Union Street, #7.

This location shares space with another business I co-own, called "The Homestead Alchemist". Within the next year, our goal is to expand both businesses to their own larger locations.

While my adult students do not test for belts, my younger students do utilize a belt ranking system.

This may seem contradictory to my entire mentality of despising traditional martial arts... however for youth students, a belt system provides a visual and physical acknowledgment of their growth and accomplishments.

It is not about status, title, or ego. A higher ranking student does not receive extra benefits or authority over lower ranking students here. They are simply a measurement of progression.

If/when a youth student trains long enough with me, and they perhaps someday graduate into my adult program, they are encouraged to "let go" of their titles and belt, and evolve towards the next phase of their training.

Then I am not the right studio for you. Thank you for inquiring. There are plenty of McDojos out there who will be happy to give you a black belt, provided your check clears at the bank.

While this is important to some people, non of these self-proclaimed titles, awards, and certificates hold any value here. I respectfully, but honestly don't care what style you've studied, or what degree of black belt you are... neither does your attacker.

I realize this can offend a great many people, but again, respectfully... I don't care. I am not here to cradle someones delicate ego or delusions... I am here to train my students to truly gain the physical and emotional skills needed to fight and for self-defense.

I spent years memorizing countless katas, weapon complexes, and one-steps, etc... all they did was restrict and limit how I moved. I wasted more time memorizing a combination, rather than knowing how to "apply" a combination and think critically and instinctively. At Kaizen, we Train as we Fight, and Fight as we Train.

Adults who parade their belt rank live under a shell of false confidence by the belief their belt rank makes them a more qualified fighter than a lower rank... let alone qualified at all. Having a black belt, or being called a master does NOT make one a great fighter.

As for tournaments... they demonstrate nothing other than you had prettier kicks than someone else, or that you scored more points in a love-tap sparring competition. Scoring a point then immediately stopping is absolutely one of the worst fighting habits one could imagine. Try punching an attacker just once in an assault, and see how far that gets you!!!

There's a vast difference between a student new to the studio who is shy, scared, or overly excited and full of energy, and a student familiar with everyone and the rules of the studio.

Initially many students (especially younger) may lack focus or control, or need extra encouragement to participate in class at their full potential, or to not be a distraction to the class. In these instances, I encourage parents to NOT be discouraged or upset as this is completely normal and happens often. I do all I can to welcome each student into our studio, introducing them to other students, and familiarizing them with rules and drills we practice, helping them to gain confidence and focus. This is the benefit of the free lesson and two week trial. It gives them time to ease into training. However, once a student has reached the point of a membership, they are now at a level where I'll require more from them, and hold them accountable for their behavior.

Simply stated, I have ZERO TOLERANCE for laziness or disruptive behavior during class. I am neither Beggar nor Babysitter. When a student walks onto the floor, I expect them to perform and behave at their very best level. If a student refuses to apply themselves, complains, or is disruptive to the class, I will invite them to leave and even furthermore, discuss with them and their parents if this is the right place for them.

This is perhaps one thing which separates me from most instructors... I will not beg anyone to apply themselves to their training, and I will not babysit a student who lacks the focus, respect, or willingness to give their best effort in every class or let alone pay attention to simple instructions. It's simply not fair to those students who wish to achieve their highest skill potential, or for those parents paying for lessons.

Something about me... I treat every lesson as if it's the most important lesson I'll ever teach. I will give all of my knowledge to anyone willing to absorb and apply it. I want my students to succeed. I want my students to surpass my own knowledge and skill. I want them to reach their full potential. I will be patient, understanding, respectful, and motivating, and I will do anything and everything I can in every lesson they attend to help them achieve such a goal.

However if they're not willing to apply themselves, if they mess around and treat the studio like a playground, or simply drag the class down with a poor attitude and laziness, I will remove them from my studio.

Not everyone has what it takes to be here. Some people would rather cry, complain, and simply give up the moment an exercise is too tough, or the lesson too difficult, or the drill not fun enough. Others will be too disruptive and unfocused to train, or may lack respect for their classmates and their safety. I can't teach those unwilling to learn. (You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink).

I will do all I can to help them overcome challenges, to overcome self-doubt and fear, to find their courage and strength, and to develop their fighting skill to it's highest level... but they must be the ones to make it happen.

At Kaizen, my rules are simple... Train as hard as you can. Push your physical and emotional limits. Listen. Be respectful and disciplined. Don't complain. Don't give up. I will help you every step of the way, but only if you give the effort.

Ask any one of my students the easiest way out of the hard work and challenges I will throw at them, and they'll all answer... "It's by walking off my floor through the doors". If someone doesn't want to be there, then I won't beg them to stay, and I won't babysit them to apply themselves. Our time is priceless, and I choose to spend it with students who want to be here and face the challenges I throw at them with a spirit of willingness and determination.

Give your Best, or Give Up. In the words of Master Yoda "Do or do not... There is no try".

I'm very proud to say, ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! I am a private and independent trainer, free from the restrictions, limitations, and nonsense of traditional martial arts and the organizations that control them.

In my opinion, being accredited or affiliated is a method of masking oneself under the supposed skills and accomplishments of someone else. They claim their national accreditation and belt rank qualifies them for superiority to others, and to question their skills and claims is dishonorable and prohibited.

At Kaizen, I offer my own custom curriculum and unique method of training. No other self-entitled masters or money hungry affiliations hold any ability to dictate or regulate what and how I teach. I teach only what one needs to develop true fighting and self-defense skills. No titles, no memorized forms or pretend self-defense, and no fancy poses or useless techniques.

If you're an adult seeking training, there is no ranking system utilized here. Let's leave our egos at the door and simply train to fight.

For youth students, belt ranks from other styles do not carry over to mine, nor do I "test someone into an equivalent belt". At Kaizen, everyone starts at the beginning. This is certainly not to insult anyone. They are not "starting over again", they would be "beginning something new". While this may initially seem discouraging, I can only stress the importance of the quality of training and material being taught, far outweighs belt rank. An attacker doesn't care what style you've studied, or what belt rank you have, they simply want to harm you. Training (not the title) makes the fighter.

To see it another way... Speaking one language fluently doesn't make someone an expert in another. Even a master guitarist, may know nothing of playing a piano. While we achieve skill or mastery in one method of training, we must have the beginners mind when it comes to martial arts training.

“Empty your cup so that it may be filled; become devoid to gain totality.”

I offer both Single and Family memberships. Family membership rates are the same, whether 2 or 3 people are attending. So not only does a 2nd family member train at a discounted rate, the 3rd person trains for free!

I give the options of Monthly (No Contract), 6-Month, and 12-Month memberships. Members are allowed to switch from Single to Family, or Family to Single at anytime as well.

My rates never increase, there are no hidden fees, no tournaments or expensive seminars to attend, and students can attend unlimited classes each week!

I am 100% transparent with my business and all I have to offer. I do hope though, you're more interested in the quality of what I offer, rather than just the price. I make my rates as fair as possible, and I created a page to help answer that question:  TUITION PAGE

I don't want someone attending classes with me ONLY because I offer more classes and flexibility, and charge less than anyone else. If anyone trains with me at Kaizen, my hope is that it's because my philosophy, and method of training is exactly what you are seeking for yourself or your children.

This is why I always offer your first training session for free, and then provide a two week trial for $25. There's no pressure to join. If I'm not what you're looking for, then I can only thank you for your time and consideration.

"Welcome to McDojos! May I supersize your membership with a few trophies just for showing up, a guaranteed black belt in just a couple of years, and of course... all the false confidence you can afford (provided your checks clear)"?!??!?

Simply stated, McDojos are everywhere. I despise these places. They claim to teach self-defense, but all they really do is sell you a belt with delusions of grandeur and false confidence. They waste your time with Titles, Trophies, Fancy Uniforms, Guaranteed Black Belts, and countless Forms (Katas).

So... how do you spot a McDojo???

A McDojo is a school that teaches a watered-down and impractical form of martial arts in the name of making money... lots of it. Profit is far more import than quality. They create overconfident students lacking the physical and emotional qualities to actually defend themselves.

They are masters of "bullshido"... excelling in deception, fraud, and lies. Kids become black belts quickly without ever having to train hard or learn actual skills, with little to zero fighting experience.

Their studios are flooded with trophies, certificates, and instructors who parade themselves in fancy uniforms, patches, and stripes. They make claims of skill no one is allowed to question. These studios most likely have no sparring, or only do "point sparring", which is pathetic to say the least in terms of actual fighting and self-defense.

They make grandiose claims and award themselves titles like "Great Grand Master of the Century". Kids never fail a belt test, and they offer "Black Belt Clubs", creating more black belts and masters than there are new students.

McDojos are known as "belt factories", producing black belts (many who are just little kids who can barely tie their own belt) who have no depth to their art or any practical and realistic self-defense skills.

I have to stop myself here... I could go on forever about this subject. I'll have to create a blog post for it soon.

In the meantime, all I can advise is... do your research,. Question everything and everyone... even me. Experience for yourself what I or anyone else has to offer, and decide who (if anyone) meets the needs your seeking in quality martial arts instruction.

Yes. The other facet of my business is "I Am Cinema". I am professional Cinematographer, Photographer, and Editor. While that may seem a far cry from also being a tactical combat instructor, this other half of my business allows me to maintain smaller class sizes, to guarantee better personal attention.

While living in New Orleans, I began working in Hollywood films, did some stunt work, and later became a professional filmmaker and visual storyteller. All in all, I worked in over 20 Hollywood films, Commercials, and Television series. I never became a full SAG actor though.

While living in Florida, the last "major" production I was involved with, was for an Amazon Prime series called "In Sanity, Florida", by See~Worthy Films. Among it's amazing cast, was the late and great Mr. Burt Reynolds. I was the Director of Photography and Editor for this series. I'm truly grateful for the friendships that arose from the series producer and director. They gave me my greatest experiences in film and TV.

Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue is my happy place. I honestly feel these cats do more for me, than I do for them.

My involvement with Wisconsin Big Cat Rescue dates back to early 2006, when I first began volunteering my time to them. I helped the rescue acquire funding to relocate, I helped them build the rescue, I bought them their first four-wheeler, and I more than happily gave and continue to give them all the time I can spare to be part of their amazing cause.

This rescue is the very reason I am now established in Reedsburg. I walked away from my career in films to live where I'm happiest, in this beautiful part of Wisconsin, and a stones throw from my friends and their family of exotic rescues at WBCR.

You are correct. The studio is massive (over 5,ooo sq ft), and within this building I operate 3 businesses. Alongside my business of "Kaizen" and "I Am Cinema", I also foster and socialize Maine Coon Kittens for a Certified Breeder. The mothers and kittens (when we have them, which is not always) reside in very large, highly ventilated, and charismatic (nearly room sized) enclosures both in our Lounge and Game Room areas. The enclosures are sanitized daily, and I also keep high capacity Hatha Space Air Purifiers next them.

During class times, they are in these enclosures for anyone to enjoy viewing and playing with. When the studio is closed, I have an entire 2,000 sq ft secluded space for them to run, play, climb, sleep, and enjoy life and socialization. Again, the studio is sanitized daily, and they do not reside where the students train.

This is a major income for my business, which allows me to maintain small class sizes and low tuition rates alongside the abundance of classes and amenities I offer. Equally, I am offering an amazing quality of life for these animals, both caring for and socializing them for their forever homes. I even host "Kitten Nights" for our students and families to play, interact, and learn about caring for animals.

While most everyone loves and enjoys having these cats at the studio, I understand not everyone likes cats, and others may be allergic to them. There is one simple reality I must face as a business owner... I can't please everyone. As an Entrepreneur, I run my businesses as I see fit and need to in order to survive. Not everyone will see things my way, and that is fine. For those who feel unsafe training in a facility that houses cats, I apologize, and hope you find comfort and security elsewhere. For those of you who love animals as I do, our cats are looking forward to meeting you!

Also, be sure to visit our All Natural Raw Food Pet Store in Mauston, "Natural Carnivore"!