Instructors
Lance Johnson
Chief Instructor and Founder of The Defensive Arts Academy
Title: Sensei
Rank: 2st Dan Black Belt Kempo Jujitsu
Rank: Blue Belt Brazilian Ju Jitsu
Styles Currently Teaching and Training: Kempo Jujitsu, MMA, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Qualified Level 2 Coach: NCAS -- Under the Australian Jujitsu Federation
Working with Kids Permit: Yes
Quote: "Train hard, train often and train with enthusiasm then you WILL reach your goals"
"Martials arts is only limited by a closed mind and narrow views... Keep an open mind."
Lance has studied Kempo Jujitsu for 10 years now and recieved his Shodan Ho (probationary black
belt) in 2003. For the following 5 years he focused his training more on learning how to teach Jujitsu and understaning the techniques on a higher level. When asked why he put off grading for his full 1st
Dan Black Belt for so long this is what he had to say:
"Once you reach Black Belt level you recieve the title of Sensei and forever after you're
looked up to by each and every student that steps onto the mat. I believe that any
martial arts practitioner that reaches a level to recieve the title of instructor should
completely and thoroughly understand each and every technique they will be
teaching. It's only fair to the student and to the club in which the instructor
represents."
Lance recieved his 1st Dan Black Belt in January 2008, this is when he started to look at the "pros and cons" of the syllabus he was teaching at the time.
"I personally found the style I was teaching was lacking greatly in certain areas so I
had a vision of filling in those gaps and evolving the art I loved into something I truly
believed covered all bases when It came to any situation. "
Since then Lance has introduce a new syllabus to his club which includes his own vision on what he
believes Kempo Jujitsu is all about.
"My students have taken to the new style and curriculum with great enthusiasm,
It's awsome to watch them evolving along with it I'm proud of each and every one of
them.... I feel humbled by them every day. "
Belinda Johnson
Assistant Instructor and Co-Founder of The Defensive Arts Academy
Title: Sempai
Rank: Brown Belt
Styles Currently Teaching: Kempo Jujitsu
Styles Currently Training: Kempo Jujitsu, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai
Qualified Level 2 Coach: NCAS -- Under the Australian Jujitsu Federation
Working with Kids Permit: Yes
Quote: "You can't under value the pleasure of hitting something" I think she means pads??
Belinda started training in August 2006 in a form of Jujitsu developed for women and children. It wasn't long before Belinda showed promise as a Jujitsu practitioner and currently holds a Brown Belt. Belinda has added Mauy Thai and MMA to her current training regime and is an assistant instructor under Lance Johnson at The Defensive Arts Academy.
When asked about her views on the martial arts this is what Belinda had to say.
"When I think of martial arts the first thing that comes to mind is how it makes me
feel, how far I have come and how I have changed. I wish everyone could experience
the thrill of learning that its not over until you say it is. Martial arts to me has been
empowering, confidence building and inspiring. "
