Jonathan Good
Like countless others before and after me, Bruce Lee captivated my imagination as a child and inspired me to take up Martial Arts.
I began training in Karate when I was 6, and over the next 10 years I dabbled in Kickboxing, Muay Thai, Japanese Jujitsu and Aikido. When I was 16 I began to practice Shotokan Karate dilligently for the next 18 months, but ultimately I still hadn't found what I was looking for from my training. This combined with the impertinence of youth meant my dedication to all these arts faded over time.
When I was 18 I began to study Wing Chun Gung Fu with Master Samuel Kwok at Lancaster University and fell in love with the system immediately. The simple and direct approach to real self-defence was exactly what I'd been looking for, and my enthusiasm and natural inclination to Wing Chun's style of fighting led to my appointment as President of the Wing Chun Society within my first year. Over the next 3 years I practiced incessantly, attending seminars and private lessons with Sifu Kwok whenever I could. One seminar was on the infamous Dim Mak, another covered Bareknuckle Boxing with Paddy Monaghan, and I was fortunate enough to have a place at the Double Impact Seminar held by Master Kwok and Carlson Gracie. I graduated in 2004, and during my final lesson Sifu handed me a certificate granting me permission to teach the system. Over the next few years I continued to practice Wing Chun whenever possible and began teaching on a 1-to-1 or small group basis.
I first heard of Defendo in 2006 through Martial Arts Illustrated and was immediately intrigued by the existence of a British Jujistu system. I had always been interested in joint locking, and regularly trained with Aiki Jutsu and Jujitsu exponents when I was at Lancaster. Sifu Kwok would also teach joint manipulations and takedowns occasionally, and seeing them combined with Wing Chun's direct striking had really sold them to me. I contacted Clive Elliott and ordered a copy of the Triad DVD, was very impressed with the content and resolved to train in Defendo 1st hand.
I thoroughly enjoyed my first seminar, and although I didn't do any regular training for 6 months as I left the UK to travel across Canada in July 2006, when I returned in 2007 I resumed attendace of Clive's bi-monthly seminars, and the system quickly became my 2nd love in Martial Arts. The Triad was by far the most practical approach to joint locking and compliance I had ever seen, and I was especially pleased by how effortlessly the system blended with Wing Chun, although I had to admit Clive taught Defendo in such a practical manner that its own entries and strikes were on par to those in Wing Chun, and blending Gung Fu with Defendo became a bonus rather than a necessity. Clive's teaching style was another highlight for me; he created a relaxed and informal atmosphere meaning seminars were not only highly enjoyable, but also meant I never felt uncomfortable asking questions, and as Clive was never too busy to answer them I progressed fairly quickly.
I was fortunate enough to meet Nigel in early 2007 at my previous place of employment, and discovered he to had a keen interest and background in Martial Arts. I lent him The Triad DVD and he agreed to attend a Defendo seminar with me around June of that year. Luckily for me Nigel instantly took to the system, and upon hearing that I had set myself the goal to become an instructor, committed himself to do the same. We've trained together every week since, and attended seminars and private lessons with Clive at every opportunity, and in April 2008 we passed our Level 1 instructorship test.
Wing Chun will always be my 1st love in the Martial Arts, and I still practice and teach the system whenever I can. It's the foundation of everything I do in my training, and I owe Master Kwok a huge debt of gratitude. Having said that, there are so many excellent Instructors in Master Kwok's association that my contribution is admittedly minimal. As an instructor for Defendo UK, and one half of Defendo North West, I can play a part in preserving Bill Underwood's unique work. I feel extremely privileged to be working along side Clive and Karen Elliott, Steve Smith and his partner in crime Emma Wright, and Be(a)rnard Taylor, all of whom are exceptional Martial Artists, Instructors, and people. Part of me is still amazed they even know who I am.
Many thanks to everyone who guided me get to this point, and thank you in advance for all your help in moving forward. Here's to keeping Bill's legacy alive.
J.T. Good
