About Your Coaches
Jim is the co-owner of Absolute Self Defense & Fitness and the Combat Applications Training Group. He has been involved in coaching and training in extreme fitness during his 26 years in the military. Jim is one of the top hand-to-hand combat instructors in the United States Army and he has instructed thousands of US and foreign military and police units in Hand to Hand Combat. Since 1983 he has dedicated his life to training in blade related arts and has trained extensively in Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, Arnis, Indonesian Silat, and a plethora of related arts.
Fitness Certifications:
- 2010 – Current CPR, AED Certification, ASTI
- 2010 – ISSA Certified Fitness Trainer
- 2010 – ISSA Fitness Therapy Specialist (Designate)
- 2010 – US Olympic Committee Paralympic Leadership Conference (Participant)
- 2010 – Coach, Team Hood; 1st Annual Warrior Games at the US Olympic Center
- 2009 – Fighting Fit Boot Camp Master Trainer and Coach
- 2009 – CrossFit Instructor Level I
- 2009 – CrossFit Kettlebell Instructor
Martial Arts Certifications:
- 2010 – Child Safety Instructor
- 2009 – Self Defense Grappling Instructor
- 2007 – 7th Degree Black Belt Sil Jeon Mu Sool
- 2006 – Master Instructor, Kuntao Silat
- 2005 – Purple Belt, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
- 2005 – Level IV Personal Protection Instructor
- 1999 – Self Defense Expert Of The Year, WCAF
Jim retired from the United States Army in 2011 with over 26 years of federal service to our nation. He served in a wide variety of commands such as the 75th Ranger Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, 4th Infantry Division and for a short period of time, a special mission unit. His positions held were that of Rifle Squad Leader, Weapons Squad Leader, Reconnaissance Team Leader, Sniper Team Leader, Recon Platoon Sergeant, Recce Troop First Sergeant and Adaptive Sport Coordinator in a Warrior Transition Battalion.
Lorene Spurlock Ruiz
Coach Lorene is a certified Personal Trainer and a certified Fighting Fit Boot Camp Coach.Lorene is a Senior Trainer at the gym.
Jesse Rand
Coach Jesse is a certified Personal Trainer and a Fighting Fit Boot Camp coach. Jesse is a Self Defense Grappling Coach and also a Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who coaches our Children’s program.
Summer Leverett
Coach Summer is a Fighting Fit Boot Camp coach and is working towards her personal trainer certificate. Coach Summer is a US Army Veteran.
Tony Villalpando
Coach Tony is a Self Defense Grappling Coach and Blue Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu who coaches our Childrens program. Tony has competed in MMA fights and NAGA tournaments. Tony is also a US Army veteran of the Iraq War.
Jennifer Shurley
Coach Jen is a Fighting Fit Boot Camp coach and is working towards here personal trainer certificate.
