Early Years: A Turning Point

 

Following a serious assault by multiple attackers after class one evening, Steve experienced a profound realization about the limitations of single-discipline training. While his karate had provided some defense, the encounter revealed that a more comprehensive approach—one that included both striking and grappling—would have better served him in that life-threatening situation. This pivotal moment became the catalyst for his life's work in self-defense.

Developing a Comprehensive Self Defence System

Driven by the need to create a truly effective approach to personal protection, Steve embarked on an extensive study of multiple martial disciplines. Over 45 years of dedicated training, he earned black belts in seven different martial arts, including wrestling. Drawing from these diverse traditions, he developed ShinKenDo—a name derived from the Japanese words "Shin" (truth), "Ken" (fist), and "Do" (way), meaning "The Way of the True Fist."

ShinKenDo integrates strikes, joint locks, restraints, takedowns, throws, weapon defense, and the practical use of everyday objects for real-world self-defense situations. The system is built on the principle that true self-defense requires adaptability and a complete toolkit of techniques.
 

An Early Pioneer in Integrated Martial Arts

Steve began teaching at age 20, and by the early 1980s, he and his students were using the term
"Mixed Martial Arts" to describe their integrated training approach—years before the term became
synonymous with cage fighting. His vision of combining the most effective elements from different
martial traditions represented forward-thinking innovation in the martial arts community.

When competitive MMA emerged in the mainstream during the 1990s, Steve added "JuJutsu" to
his system's name to distinguish it from the cage sport fighting and emphasize its focus on practical
self-defense. The art became formally known as ShinKenDo JuJutsu, clearly positioning it as a
self-protection discipline rooted in traditional martial arts principles.

Professional Recognition and Real-World Application

The effectiveness of ShinKenDo JuJutsu led to its adoption by the Metropolitan Police for their
self-defense training program. This professional endorsement validated the system's practical
applicability in genuine threat situations. The art attracted both law enforcement professionals
and civilian students, with particular appeal to women seeking reliable techniques for defending
against larger, stronger attackers.

Over more than 35 years of teaching, Steve has trained over 10,000 students internationally.