The Mind Sensei Podcast – Episode 1 with Mr. Scott Gonzalez (8th Degree Associate Master)

In this episode of The Mind Sensei Podcast, host Peter Tas sits down with Mr. Scott Gonzalez, an 8th Degree Associate Master in American Kenpo, representing the respected Jeffcoat–Tatum lineage.

Mr. Gonzalez began his Kenpo journey in 1990, training under Mr. Rick Jeffcoat, initially in a garage studio environment. He later became the first enrolled student at Mr. Larry Tatum’s Green Street school, where he continued developing his understanding of the system.

Training under both Mr. Rick Jeffcoat and Grand Master Larry Tatum, Mr. Gonzalez earned his First Degree Black Belt in 1995, laying the foundation for a lifelong pursuit of knowledge within American Kenpo.

In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, we explore Scott’s early years in Kenpo, the training culture of the time, and the influence of his instructors.

• How Scott first discovered American Kenpo• Training in the early days with Rick Jeffcoat• Becoming the first student at Larry Tatum’s Green Street studio• The training environment and culture of early Kenpo schools• Lessons learned from direct mentorship• How lineage shapes understanding of the art

• 8th Degree Associate Master in American Kenpo• Represents the respected Jeffcoat / Tatum lineage• Began training in 1990 under Mr. Rick Jeffcoat• First enrolled student at Larry Tatum’s Green Street studio• Earned 1st Degree Black Belt in 1995• Founder and head instructor of Desert Dragons’ Kenpo in Arizona• Nearly a decade of experience as a secondary school teacher in California and Arizona• Continues his training and personal development under the guidance of Grand Master Larry Tatum

Desert Dragons’ Kenpo – Arizona

Website:https://desertdragonsaz.com/

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=desert%20dragons%20kenpo%20karate%20sc

The Mind Sensei Podcast explores the mindset, philosophy, and personal journeys of martial artists and thought leaders from around the world.

Hosted by Peter Tas, martial artist and member of the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

In this episode we discuss:Guest Biography – Mr. Scott GonzalezGuest School & Contact

In this three-part series of The Mind Sensei Podcast, host Peter Tas sits down with Glenn Haley, a 7th Degree Black Belt and Senior Professor in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate.

🎧 FINAL EPISODE – The Mind Sensei Podcast (Part 3)

In the final part of this series, Mr. Glenn Haley reflects on mastery, leadership, and what it means to continue growing—regardless of age, rank, or experience.

From school ownership and coaching fighters to executive leadership in engineering and technology, Glenn connects the Martial Way to life beyond the dojo.

This is a conversation about legacy, humility, and the understanding that true mastery begins—and ends—within.

Born prematurely and told he would likely never live a physically demanding life, Glenn Haley defied early limitations through discipline, resilience, and nearly 40 years of martial arts training. A direct student of Senior Master John Sepulveda, Glenn’s journey spans traditional Kenpo, professional kickboxing, grappling, MMA, international competition, school ownership, and executive leadership in engineering and technology.

Across this in-depth conversation, we explore:

• How adversity shapes mindset and character

• The responsibility that comes with real skill

• Competition as a tool for pressure-testing discipline

• Restraint, accountability, and self-control

• Leadership inside and outside the dojo

• Why mastery does not end with age, rank, or experience

This series is not about chasing belts or trophies—it’s about understanding the Martial Way as a lifelong pursuit of self-mastery.

🎙️ The Mind Sensei Podcast🎧 Available now on Spotify & Apple Podcasts

#MartialLegacy #LeadershipThroughDiscipline #MartialArtsPhilosophy #TheMindSensei #LifelongStudent

In this three-part series of The Mind Sensei Podcast, host Peter Tas sits down with Glenn Haley, a 7th Degree Black Belt and Senior Professor in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate.

Part 2 dives deeper into the realities of martial skill, responsibility, and restraint.

With experience spanning point fighting, professional kickboxing, grappling, MMA, and international competition, Glenn Haley shares hard-earned lessons that extend far beyond the dojo.

Topics covered in this episode include:

• The responsibility that comes with real fighting skill

• Legal, moral, and personal consequences of violence

• Competition as pressure-testing for discipline and mindset

• Ego, restraint, and knowing when not to fight

• Lessons learned from professional kickboxing and MMA

This is an essential conversation for serious martial artists, instructors, and anyone interested in real-world self-defense ethics.

Glenn Haley is a 7th Degree Black Belt and Senior Professor in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate with over 37 years of training and teaching experience. A direct student of Senior Master John Sepulveda, Glenn’s background spans traditional martial arts, professional kickboxing, grappling, MMA, and international competition. Beyond the dojo, he is a former school owner, executive leader in technology and engineering, and lifelong student of discipline, restraint, and personal growth. Glenn’s philosophy emphasises responsibility, self-control, and the belief that true mastery begins within.

#MartialResponsibility #SelfDefenseMindset #CombatSports #MartialArtsLife #Kenpo #MMA #DisciplineOverEgo #MindSensei

In this three-part series of The Mind Sensei Podcast, host Peter Tas sits down with Glenn Haley, a 7th Degree Black Belt and Senior Professor in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate.

Born prematurely and told he would likely never live a physically demanding life, Glenn Haley defied early limitations through discipline, resilience, and nearly 40 years of martial arts training. A direct student of Senior Master John Sepulveda, Glenn’s journey spans traditional Kenpo, professional kickboxing, grappling, MMA, international competition, school ownership, and executive leadership in engineering and technology.

Across this in-depth conversation, we explore:

• How adversity shapes mindset and character

• The responsibility that comes with real skill

• Competition as a tool for pressure-testing discipline

• Restraint, accountability, and self-control

• Leadership inside and outside the dojo

• Why mastery does not end with age, rank, or experience

This series is not about chasing belts or trophies—it’s about understanding the Martial Way as a lifelong pursuit of self-mastery.

Glenn Haley is a 7th Degree Black Belt and Senior Professor in Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Karate with over 37 years of training and teaching experience. A direct student of Senior Master John Sepulveda, Glenn’s background spans traditional martial arts, professional kickboxing, grappling, MMA, and international competition. Beyond the dojo, he is a former school owner, executive leader in technology and engineering, and lifelong student of discipline, restraint, and personal growth. Glenn’s philosophy emphasises responsibility, self-control, and the belief that true mastery begins within.

Juan Serrano | Teaching, Knowledge & Casa de Kenpo (Part 2)

Part 2 continues the conversation with Mr. Juan Serrano, focusing on his evolution as an instructor and the creation of Casa de Kenpo—one of the first public instructional forums dedicated to American Kenpo Karate.

With over 35 years of experience, Mr. Serrano discusses teaching methodology, preserving martial knowledge, and the responsibility of passing the art forward with integrity and clarity.

This episode is essential viewing for instructors, senior students, and serious martial artists.

In the final episode of this 2-part series, Peter Tas and Mr. Juan Serrano dive into philosophy, rank, and what it truly means to walk the martial path.

Mr. Serrano shares the mindset that has guided him for decades—emphasising that growth is found in the journey of training, not the destination of rank. This episode offers timeless wisdom for martial artists of all styles and experience levels.

A fitting conclusion to an insightful and thought-provoking series.

Juan Serrano is an 8th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate with over 35 years of martial arts experience. Beginning his training at the age of eight in Brooklyn, New York, he developed a diverse background across multiple disciplines before dedicating himself to Kenpo. In 2008, he founded Casa de Kenpo, one of the first public instructional forums dedicated to sharing and preserving American Kenpo knowledge. Mr. Serrano is widely respected for his teaching philosophy, emphasising that true understanding is found in the journey of training rather than the pursuit of rank.

🎧 Now available on Spotify & Apple Podcasts#TheMindSenseiPodcast #MartialArtsPhilosophy #AmericanKenpo #CasaDeKenpo #LifelongLearning

In this special 3-part series of The Mind Sensei Podcast, host Peter Tas welcomes Mr. Juan Serrano, 8th Degree Black Belt and founder of Casa de Kenpo.

With over 35 years of martial arts experience, Mr. Serrano began training at the age of eight and developed an extensive background in Aikido, Aikijujutsu, Taekwondo, Shotokan Karate, Kali/Escrima, Boxing, and American Kenpo Karate. In 1998, he relocated to California to pursue his passion for Kenpo, later founding Casa de Kenpo in 2008 as one of the first public instructional platforms dedicated to the art.

Across this series, Mr. Serrano shares his journey, teaching philosophy, and insights into preserving knowledge while emphasising that true growth lies in the process of training—not the pursuit of rank.

This is a must-listen series for martial artists, instructors, and anyone committed to lifelong personal development.

Juan Serrano is an 8th Degree Black Belt in American Kenpo Karate with over 35 years of martial arts experience. Beginning his training at the age of eight in Brooklyn, New York, he developed a diverse background across multiple disciplines before dedicating himself to Kenpo. In 2008, he founded Casa de Kenpo, one of the first public instructional forums dedicated to sharing and preserving American Kenpo knowledge. Mr. Serrano is widely respected for his teaching philosophy, emphasising that true understanding is found in the journey of training rather than the pursuit of rank.

american kenpo, juan serrano, casa de kenpo, kenpo karate journey, martial arts podcast, kenpo origins, kenpo practitioner, martial arts mindset, traditional kenpo, self defence training, peter tas, the mind sensei podcast

🎧 NOW LIVE ON SPOTIFY — PART 3

Part 3 of my conversation with Sensei Donnie Jeffcoat, 7th-Degree Black Belt and founder of the Shaolin American Self Defense Academy, is now available on The Mind Sensei Podcast.

In this episode, we continue exploring the deeper layers of the martial arts journey — leadership, mindset, legacy, and the responsibility that comes with guiding others on the path. Sensei Donnie shares insights shaped by decades of training, teaching, and lived experience, offering lessons that extend well beyond the dojo.

This conversation is thoughtful, grounded, and deeply aligned with the true spirit of martial arts — personal growth, service, and integrity.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify

#TheMindSenseiPodcast #PeterTas #DonnieJeffcoat #AmericanKenpo #KenpoKarate #ShaolinKempo #MartialArtsPodcast #MartialArtsMindset #BlackBeltMindset #MartialArtsLeadership #DojoLife #MartialArtsCommunity #SelfDefence #PersonalGrowth #Discipline #Resilience #MartialArtsJourney

• 6thDegree Black Belt in American Kenpo

• Owner & Chief Instructor of Shaolin American Self Defense Academy (North Hollywood, CA)

• Founder of SASDA’s inclusive, community-first teaching model

• Over three decades of martial arts practice and teaching

• Specialized in American Kenpo, Shaolin Kempo, and performance-based combat arts

• Experienced fight choreographer with a strong background in film and television

• Developer of programs for all ages and abilities, including children, seniors, and students with special needs

• Committed to providing accessible, authentic martial arts education

• Known for blending modern self-defense with traditional values and personal empowerment

Official Dojo Website:👉 https://shaolinamericansda.com

Social Media:

• Instagram: @shaolin_american_sda | @donniejeffcoatofficial

• Facebook: Shaolin American Self Defense Academy

• YouTube: Shaolin American SDA Channel

For training, seminars, or direct enquiries, visit the official SASDA website or message through social media.

🔶 Bio: Sensei Donnie Jeffcoat🔗 Connect with Sensei Donnie Jeffcoat

Guest: Sensei Donnie Jeffcoat – 6th Degree Black BeltHost: Peter Tas | The Mind Sensei Podcast