The Night Everything Changed

Fourteen years ago, I answered a phone call that changed my life forever. My instructor, Sr. Grand Master Tony Bowles, asked me to carry on his legacy by opening a martial arts academy. I was working at UC San Diego at the time, as the Chief Administrative Officer for the Animal Care Program, and honestly, I wasn't sure I was ready.

But that evening, when I walked through my door, my kindergarten son Micah came running with pure excitement: "Dad! I told ALL my friends you'd teach them karate because you're a black belt!"

In that moment, I knew this wasn't just about continuing a tradition—it was about answering a calling.

With my wife Cheryl's support, we began our journey at the Junior Seau Sports Complex in La Mesa. Just as my teacher had started in a humble community park, we embraced that same grassroots spirit. From those first classes, what is now known as James Martial Arts Academy took root and began to flourish.

Now, every student who walks through our doors becomes part of our family. We don't just teach techniques—we develop character, build confidence, and transform good people into protectors of their families and communities.