"I coach you because I care about you. I will also challenge you because I believe in you. I will hold you accountable and will expect your commitment when you stand in front of me and stand on these mats. I will teach you what you need to learn, not what you think you need to learn. Have faith in me and one day, it’ll all make sense and pay off. Are you ready to finally start learning?" - M.GOMEZ

Mr. Maurice A. Gomez Sr. has proven himself to be an influential and effective martial artist, who has gained the respect of his peers worldwide. Mr. Gomez is a 4th degree black belt in Ed Parker's American Kenpo Karate and a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0. He has over 35 years of Kenpo and various Martial Arts experience. Mr. Gomez is a former Use of Force & Tactical Self Defense Instructor for the Los Angeles Police Department assisting in their Law Enforcement Tactical Application Course Programs. Over the years, he has also trained members of elite military, various other law enforcement agencies, security units and teams, as well as civilians. His training and approach to violence is based on his own first-hand experiences of violence along with those he has worked/trained with.

Mr. Gomez began his training in Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0 in March of 2013 initially training and teaching in both Ed Parker's Kenpo and Kenpo 5.0. Realizing that trying to balance both systems at the same time was very difficult, Mr. Gomez chose to discontinue his 30+ year journey in Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate and fully transition to Jeff Speakman's Kenpo 5.0 after passing his final belt examination for 4th degree black belt under Rich Hale in May of 2016. It was a hard decision to leave that journey behind, but Mr. Gomez knew that this new path was right for him and his future in the martial arts. Since then, Mr. Gomez accomplishments grew even larger than ever, eventually becoming a JSK 5.0 franchise school owner and labled one of the top instructors in the Jeff Speakman Kenpo 5.0 Association worldwide!

Mr. Gomez is currently under the guidance of 6th Degree Black Belt, Berj Parseghian as well as under 8th Degree Black Belt, Antranig Anto Parseghian whom are direct senior students under Master Jeff Speakman, creator of Kenpo 5.0. Over the years, Mr. Gomez has also trained with many other notable high ranking Ed Parker's Kenpo black belts from around the world. He continues to surround himself and his students with a wide variety of Kenpo’s foremost prominent instructors whom have a direct lineage from the creator of American Kenpo, Mr. Edmund K. Parker Sr.

Since childhood, Mr. Gomez has always been influenced and intrigued by the martial arts. Mr. Gomez's initial exposure to the martial arts started when he was a child with a group called Sam-Pai-Kenpo out of Huntington Beach, CA. led by Sensei John Hunt. Mr. Gomez's older brother was an active student and one of the best competition fighters in his rank. However, after seeing the magic of Kenpo direct from American Kenpo Founder, Mr. Edmund K. Parker Sr. himself, Mr. Gomez realized that his passion for the martial arts would be a life-long journey and dedicated each day to reading, studying and learning the system of Kenpo and eventually enrolling himself at the headquarters of Ed Parker's Kenpo Karate Studio in Pasadena, CA. On top of training in American Kenpo, Mr. Gomez has had the opportunity to also train in several other styles such as boxing, Muay Thai and Filipino Martial Arts with a group called Filipino Combat Systems led by Tuhon Ray Dionaldo. This, in turn, has provided him with a vast knowledge of tactical weapons training to share with his students and law enforcement personnel. Mr. Gomez's current FMA Instructor & Advisor is Guro Gil Rich Verdejo.

Mr. Gomez also teaches specialized workshops & seminars. He is the Chief Instructor & Self Defense Advisor for all Women's Self Defense Workshops, Pink Belt Program & Seminars and is the course content author for his Free Women's Self Defense Online Training Program. Course can be found at www.mgempowerment.com

His live instructor-led Women’s Self Defense Workshops have experienced rapid growth in both popularity and demand due to his in-depth knowledge and expertise. He has been featured on NBC, Univision and The Los Angeles Times. His work has also been recognized with an Official Certificate of Recognition by the California State Senate, 32nd District, for his passion and dedication to Women's Safety.

Notable Accomplishments