FORMER MEMBERS
Fifteen years ago I was an active duty Navy S.E.A.L. having just completed basic S.C.A.R.S.training (Our Hand To Hand Training) and C.Q.B. training (Close Quarters Battle) I also had a Testing Black Belt in Shotakan Karate and started training in a local San Diego Kempo school.
As Martial Arts and Self Defense Training goes I thought I was on top of it. I had a good basic background with my Shotakan and quite a bit of advanced training with the SEAL Team. Then I met Master Fugate, I felt like I was back at ground zero, a friend of mine introduced me to Master Fugate. After just one week of watching and training with him I realized that it is not the art that makes the man effective, but the man that makes the art effective.
Sure for the beginner any art can make you effective in the beginning, but if it’s maximum efficiency and effectiveness is your goal then Master Fugate’s system is what you’re looking for. His attention to detail, understanding of Martial Arts and skill sets made the training I already had more effective than had ever thought possible and the new training and skills I learned were exactly what were needed to make me more effective for both Street and Combat Survival. I became a full time student and friend of Master Fugate’s.
After a few years of training with him I was Honored to become one of Master Fugate’s first Black Belts. He TRULY is one of the best Martial Arts Practitioners and Teachers around. If it’s real training with real results you want then look no further you have found it.
- Richard Sprunger
The best fight is no fight, but if you have to protect yourself, this is the school that teaches you what to do. They teach punching, kicking, grabs, locks, weapons, ground fighting and so much more. The school teaches what to do even if someone attacks you while sitting in a chair or laying on the ground.
Be aware of your surroundings at all times. This school always starts and ends with prayer. How do I know this? I tested for my black belt at age 71 and if I wasn't in excellent shape I would not have passed.
I am a senior citizen and I walk down the street with confidence. There is much more to learn. Dr. Michael Fugate is a 9th-degree Grandmaster, a highly skilled and knowledgeable instructor with over 50 years of experience. This school is the whole package.
- Jon Fleming, Black Belt 2015
I have been a member of Golden Leopard for over 12 years under Grandmaster Fugate. It has not always been easily physically, mentally, or emotionally. I continued because I wanted something that I could feel was mine that I could carry it forward.
That I can have something to honor, to share, and keep a family together that is strong. I can honestly say by putting the work in with my heart, being, and soul and letting the process unfold who I am and how i can be the person that is true to myself. This is the path and the place to do it for me.
- Tony Connors, Black Belt (2nd Dan)
Golden Leopard Dojo has been an instrumental part of my life and has had a large role in shaping me into the man I am today. Through my training under grandmaster Fugate, I learned not only how to defend myself through martial arts, but also learned valuable lessons about life and character. I have learned how to be physically and mentally tough, never give up, and push myself constantly to achieve my goals.
The friends I made along the way, as well as my training partners, have become family to me. Grandmaster Fugate, as well as his black belt students, deeply care about imparting knowledge to the next generation of students. If you want to become a well trained martial artist and gain discipline for all areas of life, this is the school for you.
- Paul Bennett, Black Belt 2015
