Kickbox Fitness - Meet the team for Kickbox Fitness at Champion Fitness Centers

Since beginning the study of martial arts in 1974, John Maynard has perfected his craft and is the ONLY PERSON IN THE WORLD certified by three World Champions: Joe Lewis, Chuck Norris and Bill Wallace. John is the recipient of numerous honorable awards for exemplifying martial arts including: Five time U.F.A.F. (United Fighting Arts Federation) Champion, two time Chuck Norris Competitor of the Year award, and the Governor’s Excellence Award for Crime Prevention, awarded by Governor James B. Hunt. John was personally trained by Chuck Norris and is the originator of Champion MMA. As one of the originators of Kickbox Fitness, John trained extensively with and continues to be a personal sparring partner for Joe Lewis.

John Maynard was raised in West Virginia and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Marshall University. John has been the owner / instructor for Champion Karate Centers since 1983. Since that time, John has expanded to seven Champion Karate Centers throughout the Southeast. Experienced in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), John is a certified personal trainer for cardio-fitness, weight training, martial arts, Kickbox Fitness, contact and non-contact kickboxing, boxing, and grappling.

John Maynard also has extensive experience in the field of security work. From working with owners of bars and clubs to providing Executive / High Profile security for the likes of Screen Gems Studios, John has proven his skills and knowledge in practical situations. In addition, John has worked with various law enforcement agencies teaching his skills.

John Maynard is a sixth degree black belt in American Karate, a sixth degree black belt in Kickboxing under Joe Lewis, a third degree U.F.A.F. black belt under Chuck Norris and a brown belt under the Melitech Fighting System. Although John has competed widely in the National and International arenas, he now calls Wilmington, North Carolina home, where he is happy to only get beat up a few times a week.

Mr. Kearney, a Special Agent for the U.S. government, has served our nation on four continents furthering the cause of liberty and justice for the American people. Special Agent Kearney has taken multiple long term deployments into war zones in pursuit of our nation's enemies as well as international criminals.

Special Agent Kearney is a lifelong martial artist who sharpened his skills on the mean streets of a major metropolitan city, then earned his first black belt while training with John Maynard in Wilmington. Special Agent Kearney is also a renowned weapons expert who specializes in firearms. His knowledge and experience in the world of firearms conbatives places him in a unique category of firearms combatives instructors. From serving high risk search and arrest warrants in the U.S.A. and foreign lands, to training law enforcement officers across the globe, Special Agent Kearney brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the Champion program.

Special Agent Kearney, currently a 4th degree black belt in the Champion system, is also a 1st degree black belt under world renowned Joe Lewis. Special Agent Kearney, through his job and contacts around the world, has had an opportunity to train with some of the world's foremost martial arts experts, to include:

Marc "Crafty Dog" Denney - Dog Brothers Martial Arts
Aris Makris - Laval, Canada (Spartan Pankration)
Pat Miletich - Former UFC Champion
Matt Hughes - Former UFC Champion
Jens Pulver - Former UFC Champion
Tom Sotis - Founder of the AMOK! martial arts system
Doug Esposito - Owner of the Vanguard gym, BJJ black belt and former U.S. Marine
Pedro Sauer - BJJ black belt and international instructor

A native of Wilmington, North Carolina, Lee Roderick perfected many of his skills doing security work for local clubs and bars. While personal security work is still part of his repertoire, Lee spends most of his time doing personal training at the local Champion Karate Center. Lee is certified in several fields of training including: fitness training under John Maynard, orthopedic physical training under Ray Cook, and personal training under Trey Wyatt. In addition, Lee is a certified Kickbox Fitness instructor and he holds a 2nd Degree black belt. When not hard at work in the gym, Lee enjoys spending time with his lovely wife and their adorable new son.

A native of Eden, North Carolina, Scott Smith has been living in Wilmington for 11 years working as a sales representative for an automotive paint manufacturer. For 10 of the years that Scott has been in Wilmington, he has been doing kickboxing, karate, and mixed martial arts at Champion, earning a first level blackbelt. Scott has been a teacher of Kickbox Fitness for the last 7 years. Scott also has 25 years experience in resistance weight training and he makes every effort to keep to a regimen of good nutrition and a healthy lifestyle. Scott prides himself that he does not nor ever will look or act his age.

As a black belt in kickboxing and Muay Thi under John Maynard, Jesse is an extremely knowledgeable and intense MMA instructor with 12 years of experience. He has extensive training in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, receiving a blue belt under Brad Daddis and a purple belt under Sucui. He is a member of the Philly MMA and is a certified personal trainer under the Daddis Fighting System. Jesse also has additional training in Sambo (Russian developed combat sport and self defense), Escrima (Phillipino stick and sword fighting) and Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do. Jesse is a well-rounded combat arts coach in both stand up and ground fighting.

Jack Whitley has been training with John Maynard and Joe Lewis since September 1996. Jack is the owner and operator of A & J Check Collections since 1986. Jack specializes in check and account receivable collections. He holds a 4th degree black under John Maynard and a 4th degree San Dan black belt under Joe Lewis. Jack also has a blue belt under Pat Miletich Martial Arts Center. Jack teaches the Tuesday night kickboxing class at 7:30PM. He has been handling John Maynard's tuition collections for Champion Karate MMA since 1997. Thanks Jack!