Today we’d like to introduce you to Donnie Jeffcoat.
Hi Donnie, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started my martial arts journey in 1984, at the age of 9. I had recently moved to Irvine, California from Oklahoma, and was obsessed with martial arts/action stars like Chuck Norris, Sho Kosugi, Steven Seagal, Jackie Chan, and of course, Bruce Lee, to name a few recognizable names. I was obsessed with Kung Fu Magazine, Black Belt Magazine, and of course… ninjas. Lol, I was also having to adjust to a new school and a very different environment than what I was used to, living in the country vs the “super-suburbia” of Irvine in the 80s. I needed a confidence booster and to learn how to defend myself against the many bullies I was dealing with as the “new kid” at school. One of the most important lessons my parents engrained in me and my Sister was to never give up. Once I signed up for Karate, I was told by my Father I was going to make it to Black Belt and that that… no matter how long it took. In addition to martial arts, I was also working as an actor in TV and film, which definitely slowed my progress in earning my belts down a bit. Regardless, I always kept up with my training between driving to LA for auditions and the projects I booked.
Years later, as I graduated high school, went to college, and eventually moved to LA to continue my career as an actor, my parent’s motto of “never quit” stuck because I continued my karate lessons regardless of how busy I got. I even studied Kung Fu in a basement down in Chinatown while living in NYC because there was no Kenpo dojo in the city, while under a contract role on an ABC show. The style of martial arts I grew up training in is called Kenpo/Kempo Karate…a blend of Karate, Kung Fu, and Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, along with doses of other styles. There are actually several different syllabuses within the Kenpo/Kempo community (which will take far too long to explain). I began my journey as a “Shaolin Kempoist”, which has a more “classical” approach, but ended up focusing more on “Ed Parker American Kenpo” because I find the system to be more practical for street self-defense. When I couldn’t find a Kenpo school, I chose to train in whatever was available in the area I lived or was filming in. Due to my career interrupting my training so often, I was actually a Brown Belt for over fifteen years, but when I moved back from NY in 2002, I immediately found a Kenpo dojo in the Valley and started working towards my Black Belt again. Finally, in 2007, I took an eight-hour, grueling test and was awarded the rank of Shodan (first-degree) Black Belt. I started assisting my Sensei at the time when I was a second-degree Brown Belt around 2006 and began to realize how much I absolutely loved teaching. I had really started to feel burnt out and disconnected from the acting industry around the same time and being that I had never worked another job other than in entertainment, felt a bit lost and quite anxious about what the heck I was going to do with my life. I was already in my thirties. Along with exploring several jobs and possible careers, I continued to teach almost every day of the week at my neighborhood dojo. It was so rewarding to share what I loved with all ages, helping empower kids and adults with confidence, not to mention the health benefits, the martial arts bring to people’s lives. It became very addicting.
In 2010, I decided it was time for me to move past being an assistant instructor and take the challenge of starting my own Kenpo program. The company I was working for had shifted ownership and was not heading in a direction I felt comfortable representing. I wanted to be able to work with people’s budgets, focus on a more “combative”, “street-worthy” style of Kenpo that can really teach my clients how to handle themselves in real-life situations, and basically do things my way, without someone telling me what I can and cannot teach or do. I met a very reputable grandmaster in the art of American Kenpo Karate, GM Larry Tatum, and he took me under his wing, which really opened up a whole new world, with a far more practical syllabus. I opened my doors in June of 2011 here in North Hollywood with about fifty students who followed me. That was a true blessing. I worked my butt off for years, filling my dojo up with amazing students and families… and now we are a very healthy, happy, and strong dojo.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think the one thing I wish I had studied in college is business. That would have definitely helped me through a lot of the office work it takes to run a school with 250 students! I definitely went into starting my own company rather blind. Thank God for the assistance and support I received from many friends and students who had more experience with bookkeeping, computer programs, and the legal stuff. The company I had been working for as an assistant instructor gave me a solid foundation of things that work, and don’t work, in the martial arts industry.
These lessons I am very grateful for these. I have made plenty of mistakes throughout the last eleven years, but I believe the one big thing that has always saved me from failure is teaching and running my academy with my heart and on my sleeve and passion. Instead of creating a “corporate”, cookie-cutter atmosphere within my academy, I choose to treat every client like they are part of a family. Some will say this is a poor choice and causes more stress and work, but I strongly believe this “personal” approach helps create a bond between the instructors and students, allowing each individual to feel like they are learning something that is ‘tailored” to fit their personality, body type, age, and individual needs. This approach has also helped me immensely with retention. I have definitely overspent on useless marketing campaigns and other little things here and there, and have learned the best way to succeed in this industry is to get out in the community in front of people at local fairs, and events and sharing free “open house” seminars, such as our yearly Women’s Self Defense Day. Shaking someone’s hand and being able to talk about my program in person is far better than door hangers and mailouts!
I would say one of the hardest lessons I learned was when I first opened, trying to force the students who followed me to learn an entirely new syllabus. Many stuck with me, but many quit because they felt too overwhelmed after spending so many years training in the system they started in. It always hurt to lose a student who was frustrated at me for this, but looking back, I don’t think I would do much different… I needed to evolve and had to be willing to let them go in order to continue to not only grow the school into my vision but stay true to my own personal growth as a martial artist as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I believe my answers to the previous questions covered a lot of this, but I will break it down a little more. I study and teach the art of American Kenpo, blended with ideas from Wing Chun, Krav Maga, boxing, and any other system/style I feel works for self-defense. Although I am the Chief Instructor at my own academy, I still am a student, studying under several masters and mentors. To me, this is a lifelong journey and my job is to constantly evolve my knowledge, keep my lessons fresh for my clients, adapting to the times. I tell my students that if they stop training and learning, you are no longer the belt rank tied around their waist. If I don’t continue training, then I have no business teaching. I try to attend seminars and events that will keep me up to date and evolving within the world of martial arts… and not just Kenpo. Our Senior Grandmaster, Ed Parker, wanted Kenpo to continuously change and evolve, never becoming stale and outdated. I believe it’s the responsibility of the men and women
teaching self-defense these days to provide fresh perspectives, constantly evolving in order to keep up with this changing (and sadly violent) world we live in. I work out with my team and my students weekly, allowing them to see I am actively training alongside them.
I have been honored with the opportunity to teach and share my knowledge and Kenpo all over the world. I have taught in England, Germany, France, Netherlands, Barbados, and throughout the states. Being able to travel and explore new places, and making new friends internationally has been one of the greatest gifts of my career and life.
My dojo also takes pride in specializing in working with students of all ages on the spectrum and with special needs.
We have proudly been recognized by reputable organizations, such as The Ed Asner Family Center. My team and I strongly believe that martial arts are the perfect activity to help strengthen confidence, social skills, and physical/self-awareness.
I have a daughter who will soon be 2 and I can’t wait to share the martial arts with her!
What’s next?
Right now I am focusing on continuing to grow and maintain my current dojo with my team of amazing instructors. I now can enjoy time with my daughter and wife, knowing my dojo is taken care of even when I am not present.
Eventually, I will likely expand and start a second location, but for now, I am very happy and busy with this one. I would like to continue to provide a safe and healthy space for my community to be empowered, strengthening their mind, body, and spirit.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shaolinamericansda.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shaolinamerican
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/shaolinamericansda
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCVQmeij4qxf8MfqzdsNezXg or Shaolin American Self-Defense Academy
- Yelp: www.yelp.com/biz/shaolinamericanselfdefenseacademy
