Today we’d like to introduce you to Akira Fukuda And Nicole Poirier JMAC Karate.
Hi Akira Fukuda and Nicole Poirier, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Our story begins oceans apart — Akira was born and raised in the beautiful islands of Hawaii, while I (Nicole) grew up in the scenic province of Quebec, Canada. Though our backgrounds were very different, we were both shaped early on by a love of movement, discipline, and personal growth.
For Akira, that journey started with the ocean. Surfing the warm waves of Hawaii taught him patience, rhythm, and focus. At sixteen, he moved to California to pursue professional surfing — but destiny had other plans. It was there that he began training under GrandMaster Kunio Miyake, an experience that completely transformed his life. Akira went on to become a decorated karate competitor, known for his technical mastery and deep understanding of karate.
Today, he serves as the Head Instructor at JMAC Karate in California and is also highly regarded for his work in sport and performance psychology. With a Master’s Degree in Performance Psychology and certification as a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC), he helps athletes strengthen their mindset, focus, and confidence, using the principles of martial arts to elevate performance in all areas of life.
My own journey began one Halloween night when I followed my younger brother to his karate class — and from that very first session, I was hooked. A few months later, I entered my first competition in Montreal and came home with a trophy almost as tall as I was! As a young athlete, I trained under Germain Bisson of Karate Cama, who gave me a strong technical foundation and competitive drive. Later, as I transitioned into coaching, I became a direct student of Antonio Oliva Seba, one of the world’s foremost experts in karate strategy and pedagogy. His mentorship shaped my approach as a coach, particularly in Kumite tactics — the art and psychology of competition sparring.
After earning multiple national titles and Pan-American medals, I moved into coaching full-time, leading Team BC and later serving as a National Coach for Team Canada. It was during an international tournament in Cancun, Mexico, that Akira and I first met while coaching our national teams. What began as mutual respect turned into partnership — both in life and in purpose.
Today, we run JMAC Karate together, a thriving dojo where we train athletes of all levels and use karate as a path for growth, confidence, and connection. I also work closely with children facing challenges such as autism, ADHD, and developmental differences, using karate as a medium to help them build structure, focus, and self-esteem.
For both of us, karate has always been more than a sport — it’s a way of life. It’s about discipline, respect, and the power of the human spirit. Every day, we’re grateful to share that philosophy and watch it change lives, just as it changed ours.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like most meaningful journeys, ours has had its share of challenges. The road has been deeply rewarding, but certainly not always smooth. When I (Nicole) moved to California in 2015, Akira had already been running his dojo since 2000. He had built a strong foundation and a loyal community, but merging our lives, our teaching philosophies, and our professional experiences was both exciting and complex. Finding balance took time.
Before coming to California, my professional background was in psycho-education, early childhood development, and counseling. I worked with children with special needs, served as a high school counselor, and later as an employment counselor. Those experiences taught me how people learn, adapt, and grow through both structure and creativity. When I joined Akira at the dojo, I realized I could use that same foundation to help him strengthen not just the athletic side of the school, but also its emotional and educational environment. Together, we began shaping programs that focused on developing the whole person — not just the athlete.
Of course, blending two full-time careers into one shared mission wasn’t always easy. We had to learn how to work together as partners — to communicate, trust each other’s instincts, and balance long hours, competition schedules, and the daily responsibilities of running a dojo. Like any small business, there were moments of financial pressure, exhaustion, and uncertainty.
But those challenges became our greatest teachers. My background in psycho-education helped us reach a wider range of students, particularly children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences. Through karate, I could create lessons that build confidence, focus, and emotional regulation. Akira’s extensive experience in Judo, Kata, and applied movement principles gave our programs a strong technical foundation in biomechanics. His understanding of how the body moves and adapts allows our students to train efficiently, safely, and with purpose.
Over time, our collaboration found its rhythm — paired with my focus on Kumite tactics and education, and Akira’s mastery of traditional form and movement, we created a dojo environment that balances mind, body, and spirit. Now, as we celebrate 25 years of JMAC Karate’s location in Fountain Valley, we feel deeply grateful for the road that brought us here — every challenge, lesson, and breakthrough along the way. The path hasn’t always been smooth, but it has always been meaningful.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At JMAC Karate, we believe martial arts is much more than a sport — it’s a lifelong tool for personal growth, resilience, and community. Our dojo, located in Fountain Valley, has been serving students and families for 25 years, and our mission has always remained the same: to help people become the best version of themselves through the discipline and philosophy of karate.
We teach traditional Shukokai Karate, but what truly sets us apart is our holistic approach to training. Our programs are designed to develop not only strong athletes but confident, focused, and emotionally balanced individuals. We emphasize both the technical precision of martial arts and the mental strength behind it.
Akira brings deep expertise in Judo, Kata, and applied movement principles, as well as a Master’s Degree in Performance Psychology. His background allows us to train athletes at an elite level — physically and mentally — helping them refine their technique while mastering focus, composure, and mindset. He’s known for blending traditional martial arts wisdom with modern sports science, guiding students to perform with intention and awareness.
My own background in psycho-education, early childhood development, and Kumite tactics allows us to offer programs that meet students where they are — whether they’re competitive athletes or children just beginning their martial arts journey. I specialize in using karate as a teaching medium for children with autism, ADHD, and other developmental differences, helping them build confidence, focus, and self-regulation through movement and positive structure. Seeing those children grow — both on and off the mat — has been one of the most rewarding parts of our work.
What makes JMAC truly unique is the culture within our dojo. We are a family-oriented school that values respect, humility, and growth above all else. Our students learn that success isn’t just about winning medals — it’s about perseverance, character, and the ability to face challenges with courage and grace.
Brand-wise, we’re most proud of the community we’ve built over the past 25 years — a place where beginners and world-class competitors train side by side, supporting and learning from one another. Whether someone walks through our doors looking to improve their fitness, gain confidence, or compete internationally, our goal is the same: to help them unlock their full potential.
At JMAC Karate, we don’t just teach techniques — we teach a mindset, a way of living with focus, compassion, and strength. That’s what we hope every student carries with them long after they leave the dojo.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
We love connecting with people who share our passion for growth, learning, and community. There are many ways to work with or support us at JMAC Karate, depending on your goals and interests.
For those who want to train, we welcome students of all ages and experience levels — from beginners taking their first class to advanced athletes preparing for international competition. We offer a wide range of programs, including traditional Shukokai Karate, Judo, Kata, and Kumite, as well as specialized instruction in performance psychology and child development through karate. Whether someone is looking to build confidence, improve focus, or find balance, there’s a place for them at JMAC.
We also enjoy collaborating with educators, therapists, and sport professionals who want to integrate martial arts principles into their own work. My background in psycho-education and early childhood development and Akira’s expertise in mental performance and applied movement science often lead to partnerships — from school enrichment programs to sport psychology workshops and community outreach.
The best way to support us is simply to spread the word — tell others about what we do, share our story, or come visit our dojo. We’re deeply proud to be celebrating 25 years in Fountain Valley, and we’re so grateful for the families, athletes, and local organizations who’ve been part of our journey.
You can find us on Instagram @jmackarate
and learn more about our programs on our website at www.jmackarate.com
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At the heart of everything we do is a simple mission: to help people grow stronger — physically, mentally, and emotionally. Whether you train with us, collaborate with us, or simply cheer us on, your support helps us continue to share that purpose and make a positive impact through martial arts.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://jmackarate.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmackarate/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jmackarate/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jmackarate2224
Image Credits
Instagram:
Luong Nguyen
@docalex101
Instagram:
Debbie Morales
@debs43
