About Our Team
We believe training is a family affair. This includes the family we're born with as well as the long-lasting ties we make during our martial arts journey.
We don't just believe this principle; we live by it. The entire Pugh family have trained in Karate, and most in Jiu-Jitsu. They are often involved in the club any way
Our Instructors
Don Pugh
Although his martial arts journey started later than some, when Don Pugh started practicing, he found what would become a lifelong passion.
He started training with his children in Canada at South Calgary Wado Kai, a member of the Shintani Wado Kai Federation. Don couldn't get enough, taking every class and seminar he could. He achieved
Although his martial arts journey started later than some, when Don Pugh started practicing, he found what would become a lifelong passion.
He started training with his children in Canada at South Calgary Wado Kai, a member of the Shintani Wado Kai Federation. Don couldn't get enough, taking every class and seminar he could. He achieved a kyu rank of Green in Shintani Wado Kai before relocating his family to Arizona.
After a hiatus, he eventually found Atkinson's Martial Arts. Since then, he has actively trained under John Atkinson, a ranking member of both the International Karate & Kung Fu Association (CKKA) and the Black Belt Institute. John's style is a blend of karate, kickboxing, Kung Fu, and Jiu-Jitsu. It places a strong emphasis of realistic applications and self-defense. In 2022 Don was awarded his 1st degree black belt under John Atkinson.
In 2024 Don was awarded his blue belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, and became a certified instructor of both the Gracie Combatives™ and Gracie Bullyproof™ adult & kids self-defense programs.
When not teaching, Don continues to train Karate under John Atkinson and Ron Matte, head instructor of the Shintani Wado Kai Federation; while also taking every opportunity to improve his Gracie Jiu-Jitsu skills.
Our Support Team Members
Tracey Pugh
While Tracey never found the love of martial arts that Don did, she has set an example for scholastic greatness, and humanitarianism time and again throughout her career.
Tracey is not only a former ICU Registered Nurse, she is also an actively practicing Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from ASU with high honors and has been further ho
While Tracey never found the love of martial arts that Don did, she has set an example for scholastic greatness, and humanitarianism time and again throughout her career.
Tracey is not only a former ICU Registered Nurse, she is also an actively practicing Nurse Practitioner. She graduated from ASU with high honors and has been further honing her skills and expertise since.
Prior to becoming an Nurse Practitioner, she participated in various humanitarian initiatives, often working with groups such as CMAT (Canadian Medical Assistance Team).