History
Every good story starts with a Character, an Obstacle, the Journey, and the Triumph (or Valley, depending on where exactly we are in the story)
Well, my name is Aaron Johnston. I grew up traveling the country, moving every few years whenever my dad found a new job. So, I was always the new kid. I learned to fight early on. I was almost always smaller than my bullies. It being the 80’s and 90’s, I was obsessed with Ninja Turtles and Karate Kid. However, it wasn’t until I was 15 that I started any real training. My first school was Wing Chun in Iowa City. I practiced off and on for about 4 years. At that time, I moved to a small city in southeast Iowa called Mt. Pleasant. Of all the places in the world, it’s the last place you’ll expect to find someone like Senior Professor Brent Thompson. He was an American Kenpo 7th degree black belt at the time. Later he would attain the rank of 10th degree Grandmaster, forging his own system called Tornado Kenpo. I studied with Grandmaster Thompson from 2003 until his death in 2015. He was far too complex a man to record with any real accuracy herein. Suffice to say, I have never met another like him, and don’t expect to in this lifetime. Since my black belt test in 2009, I have devoted my life to honoring his legacy and my own Martial Path, as he intended.
The Path to JTK Training Academy:
It starts with my desire to find the “Old Way” martial arts teacher, and if that teacher has a place in the modern world. When I say “Old Way”, I mean the teacher who is truly dangerous, but never needs to show it out of misplaced ego. This teacher is also a healer, placing students in a situation that will make them grow, not break them down. This teacher is aware of the current environment. Aware of the challenges potentially faced by the students, and training them in a way that honors both the past AND the present. This teacher is also human, and does not fear to acknowledge that fact. This teacher is humble, not falsely, but honestly and directly.
I moved to Chicago in 2014 to go to Acupuncture school. It was a Master’s degree program at the time, which was an intensive 3.3 years. I attended until multiple factors forced me to withdraw and became a personal fitness trainer at the end of 2017. I moved in 2018 to beautiful Dubuque, Iowa.
I had attempted to formally found my school (JTK Academy at the time) in Mt. Pleasant in 2011. I had a few students for awhile, only 1 of which is still my senior student. I attempted again briefly in Chicago, but decided against anything official due to Chicago’s oppressive environment for new businesses.
The current iteration, JTK Training Academy, was officially founded in 2023. The road has been long and arduous getting to this point, but this is just the beginning.
Where We’re Headed:
I believe the modern person is active about equipping themselves for the road ahead. The people who are awake and aware, ready to meet the challenge as it arises. There are many uncertain things about the future, but knowing you’re ready for a real world altercation shouldn’t be uncertain. Prepare for the journey, as I have dedicated my entire life in pursuit of, and you will meet every challenge with joy and curiosity, rather than fear and uncertainty.
I plan to provide training for every aspect of a post modern life, that takes nothing away from a comfortable modern life except a few hours a week. Like insurance, it’s better if it’s never used, but is better to have than not.
Learn martial arts for the focus, workout, precision of movement, dedication to the art.
Learn self defense and tactical technique for that terrifying 30 seconds that nobody hopes for.
Learn survival for the worst case scenario.
Ultimately, put it all together for a sustainable life, no matter the events surrounding us.
“IT IS BETTER TO BE A WARRIOR IN A GARDEN, THAN A GARDENER IN A WAR”
- MUSASHI MIYAMOTO