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Sensei Mike Reeves, 7th Dan (Isshinryu)
President & Chief Instructor
Lone Wolf Personal Defense Systems, Inc.
When it comes to leading by example in the realms of martial arts breaking and personal fitness for unarmed combat, few can compare to Sensei Mike Reeves of Orlando, Florida. Counting up the number of records and titles he has accumulated in his thirty-five years of martial arts experience can be a dizzying task, but among the more notable entries are nine ISKA world titles and records, as well as three Guinness-certified world records in breaking.
Mike Reeves' journey into martial arts began well over three decades ago when he entered the Lebanon, Pennsylvania dojo of Sensei John Devine, an eighth-degree black belt in the Isshinryu style. Since then, Sensei Reeves has been on a single-minded journey toward excellence throughout his career in the martial arts.
Beyond all of Sensei Reeves' sensational achievements as a classical martial artist and breaking specialist, he is well acquainted with what it takes to emerge successful in down-and-dirty, hand-to-hand combat. Sensei Reeves' resume as a “hands-on” self-defense practitioner contains a wide variety of entries, including that of a corrections officer, nightclub security specialist, and professional bodyguard to corporate and celebrity clients, including Garth Brooks, Lee Greenwood, and Kathy Mattea. Additionally, Sensei Reeves has a long history of training key members of both local and federal law enforcement agencies, to include members of SWAT teams and other special operations units, in effective and highly-regarded unarmed combat techniques.
As anyone familiar with Sensei Reeves knows, Mike is every bit “about” physical conditioning as he is “about” martial arts. He remains a finely-tuned specimen in his mid-forties, and is training only harder and faster as time moves forward. On that note, Sensei Reeves, in addition to his wide and varied responsibilities as a martial artist and martial arts personality, is an accomplished personal trainer who can count such high-profile professional athletes and celebrities as former Carolina Panthers running back Marquette Smith, current Cincinnati Reds star shortstop Felipe Lopez, and rock legend Pat Travers among his large stable of clients.
For Mike, nothing succeeds like preparation. As he puts it, “Whether you are seeking to win a karate championship, earn a world breaking record, become an actor, or want to be capable of winning a conflict on the street, preparation is the key to realizing success. When it comes to completing truly arduous goals, there is no shortcut – you have to put in a tremendous amount of time, effort, and overall dedication.” In that spirit, Mike has never failed to avail himself of the best teachers and training partners in the martial arts. In addition to his own valued Sensei, John Devine, Mike has trained with numerous martial arts legends, including Joe Lewis, Mike Stone, Bill “Superfoot” Wallace, and Don “the Dragon” Wilson, and has traveled to Okinawa to train with Grand Master Angi Uezue, the world's leading authority in the Isshinryu style. As Mike puts it, “Despite whatever level of proficiency I may have achieved thus far in the martial arts, I remain cognizant that there is still much to learn, and because of that, I will always embrace opportunities to train with other highly-skilled practitioners.”
The newest frontier that has opened up for Sensei Reeves appears to be that of show business. Increasingly sought out for a variety of television appearances and film roles, Mike has already enjoyed the privilege of being featured on both the small and large screens with several household names, including the late Pat Morita, Oscar-nominated star of the famed Karate Kid series of films. It is anticipated that Mike's star will continue to rise as his combination of tough-guy looks and amazing physical abilities continues to catch the eyes of casting professionals throughout Hollywood.
As far as the future is concerned, Mike remains a big believer in the “ticking clock” notion that we're all here for a relatively short while, so make the most of every minute. “Some people are kind enough to suggest that I've accomplished quite a bit in my life so far, and I'm grateful for that,” he says. “However, in my own mind, I have not accomplished near what I want to before this run here on earth comes to an end. There are more worlds to try to conquer, and I also want to see how much further I can take things in the worlds I've been engaging already.”
