Name:  Michael D. Vaughn
Title:    Head Instructor / Owner
Height: 6’
Weight: 175

Certifications

 

Accomplishments

 

Biography
Mike started martial arts when he was six and earned his first Black Belt by age 12. Then earned his 2nd degree black belt by the time he was 14. By age 16 Mike was teaching martial arts to students alongside his lifelong training partner and father Greg Vaughn.

They quickly formed a passion for reality martial arts and self defense. From that point on, they started traveling the states to earn instructorships in Bruce Lee's Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Kali (Filipino weaponry).

In 2002 Mike moved to Madison in order to fulfill his lifelong dream of running his own martial arts school. He wanted to spread these unique, exciting martial arts to all people willing to learn. Since that time Mike has grown from training students in a fitness center to the beautiful, fully equipped BLAST Martial Arts and Fitness center he owns and instructs at today.

Mike was also the founder of the Personal Protection Program for Women and has taught this program to Universities, individuals, families, martial arts instructors, Police Officers, rape crisis centers and other various locations.

Never stopping and always looking to help people, Mike currently instructs all his classes for kids, adults and families, personally trains people in weight loss, competes in Mixed Martial Arts, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and teaches seminars to other martial arts schools.
Mikes goal is to show as many people as he can his martial arts methods and how these arts can change your life.

 

 

Name:  Joshua J. Prior
Title:    Head Kids Instructor
Height: 6’
Weight: 235

 

 

Biography

Josh began his martial arts training in 1997 with North Madison Martial Arts Group where he earned his Brown Belt in Progressive Tae Kwon Do and Jeet Kune Do Concepts. He then looked for a school that
trained Jeet Kune Do in a professional environment and found THE BLAST in the fall of 2004. Josh moved up the ranks quickly currently holding a Blue Sash in THE BLAST Reality Jeet Kune Do association.

 

Josh instantly fell in love with THE BLAST Jeet Kune Do program for kids and started assisting THE BLAST Head Instructor/Owner Mike Vaughn. Mike then awarded Josh an honorary Black Belt in THE BLAST Little/Junior Warrior kids program in fall of 2006. At the change of the New Year in 2007 Mike promoted Josh as Head Instructor of the kids program. Josh now currently teaches all THE BLAST Kids classes and assists in the adult Reality Jeet Kune Do program.

 

Among his great martial arts resume, Josh was Assistant Head Coach in Basketball at the Abundant Life Christian High School from 1996-1998. He then became the Head Coach in Basketball for the boys 8th Grade team at Abundant Life Christian Middle school from 1998-2000. Later Josh stopped coaching and became a youth mentor and volunteer for Mad City Church Youth Ministry from 2000-2004. He then returned to coach youth 5th and 6th grade Boy's Basketball at Holy Cross Luthern School in 2004 and
2005.

 

When Josh is not teaching he enjoys spending time with his wife Ruth and four children Trey, Jaz, Cole and Alana in which 3 of his 4 children participate in THE BLAST Kids program. He also enjoys continuing to learn and assist in teaching martial arts in THE BLAST adult programs.

 

"Josh has been a great asset to THE BLAST from the beginning. As the owner of THE BLAST I see Josh as a pivotal part of our kids program. Josh has helped me organize the kids program in many different ways. I am amazed at how passionate Josh is about teaching kids. He puts 100% of his energy into each class and is always improving as an instructor. He is always willing to learn new things and adjust class procedures and curriculum to help kids learn better. Had I not seen such great things in Josh I would assure you that he would not be my Head Instructor of the kids program. Josh fits all the high standards I require instructors to have to teach at THE BLAST. I encourage parents that are thinking about signing up their child for classes to come meet Josh. "

 

Thanks Josh for all your hard work and great dedication to THE BLAST!!

 

--Mike Vaughn—Owner of THE BLAST

 

©2008 THE BLAST Functional Martial Arts and Fitness | 4555 Helgesen Dr., Madison, WI 53718 | (608) 445-6176