Head Instructor - Will Figgins

I began training in martial arts when I was around 11 years old, Shotokan Karate and I was hooked! I've trained in various arts since then to various degrees, but my main interest has always been to learn the art Bruce Lee taught.

Before I was able to find Jeet Kune Do, the arts I have trained in were American Kenpo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Boxing, Judo, Shorin Ryu, Choy Lay Fut, Shaolin Chuan'fa and Muso Jikiden Eishen Ryu Iaido. Still, none of these arts was Jeet Kune Do, so I continued to train, while trying to find a qualified Jeet Kune Do instructor.

My search brought me to Sifu Lamar M. Davis II. He is certified as a full instructor in JKD by 5 of Bruce Lee's original students and has trained with many more. I figured he would be an excellent source for JKD so I contacted him and found that he was also a very genuine and nice guy. I've been training with him ever since (started training with him in Dec '02). Sifu Lamar's approach to JKD and his instruction is hardcore no-nonesense that I really enjoy. There is a reason he calls his art "Hardcore Jeet Kune Do" - because it is! No messing around when you train with Sifu Lamar - it is heavy duty working out. If you are near Sifu Lamar (Alabama), I highly recommend you go train with him. He'll open your eyes no doubt. Very powerful and talented and knows JKD like nobody's business. I am a certified Full Instructor under Sifu Lamar.

In 2005 I decided I would like to train with one of Bruce Lee's students personally. I spent the day with Steve Golden and was amazed at what he showed me - and even more amazed at what knowledge he hinted at. He is an excellent teacher and his approach to teaching is very interesting. I have since trained with him for a few days and wasn't disappointed. Excellent stuff! Steve teaches his own style called "Twin Dragons Method" which is based on what Bruce Lee taught him and his own experiences. Steve's comments, teachings and posts on various message boards around the Internet also reveal some knowledge if you are willing to chew on it for, oh, a decade or more. I highly recommend you search the net to find his musings... it'll be worth your while! I cannot say enough good things about Steve. An awesome guy, simple as that. I am honored to have spent some time with him, and hope to do again someday.

I began opening dialog with another Bruce Lee student named Jerry Poteet, who trained with Bruce Lee the same time Steve Golden did. I eventually trained with Jerry and was certified as an instructor under him as well, making me a "Second Generation" instructor in Jeet Kune Do. It was a great honor and his teachings helped me continue towards my own personal liberation. His teaching method is most excellent and has enhanced the way I teach JKD without doubt.

I also train Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Chris "Cowboy" Kelbaugh of Pacific Beach Fight Center. Chris is a brown belt under 3rd degree black belt Rodrigo Medeiros of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Revolution Team. Chris is an amazing martial artist and all around great guy. His ability to teach complex things and break them down systematically is a rare talent. He is a monster on the mat, super agile, fast, effecient... it's amazing to see him work his magic - just as long as you are not being the one worked on!

My Instructors:

Jeet Kune Do
-Steve Golden
-Lamar Davis
-Jerry Poteet

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
-Chris "Cowboy" Kelbaugh


Further Information:

About Jeet Kune Do
Classes at Black Dragon Academy