Meet Our Instructors
Our Senseis are all Black Belts in one or more disciplines
Our professional sensei’s are the best in the industry. They are extremely well trained and continually update themselves on the latest techniques. They genuinely have a passion for training students of all ages.
Sensei Matt Shapiro
Sensei Matt Shapiro – Chief Instructor
I am the chief instructor at the North Mission Viejo Studio. I started in the marital arts when I lived on a little Island in the Caribbean. Once i moved back to the United States, I started training with USSD. I have been studying martial arts since 1998, and have been an instructor with United Studios of Self Defense since 2004. I went to high school locally at Trabuco Hills High and attended UNLV (University of Nevada Las Vegas), where I went to school for Business/Marketing. It has been very rewarding to teach the martial arts for not only the physical aspect ,but the mental aspect as well. It has helped me in everyday life and I get to see it help others as well in a positive way.
Sensei Shehan Liyanage
Sensei Shehan Liyanage – Assistant Instructor
My name is Shehan Liyanage, and I’m proud to call Mission Viejo my hometown. My journey in the world of martial arts began when I was just fifteen years old, stepping into my first class with the Sensei Matt Shapiro. It was in that very first lesson that I started learning skills that were both simple and highly effective. But what I soon discovered was that martial arts demanded not only skill but also unwavering commitment and discipline to truly master them.
Over the years, this journey became not just a passion but a way of life. It led me down a path where I eventually became the Chief Instructor of our dojo in 2020. This role came with its own set of unique challenges, especially in the wake of the pandemic. However, it was an incredibly rewarding experience as I worked tirelessly to keep our students active and healthy through virtual classes conducted via Zoom.
As we faced adversity head-on, I saw firsthand the resilience and dedication of our martial arts community. We didn’t just survive; we thrived. Since then, we’ve been dedicated to building our program stronger and better than ever before. It brings me immense joy to witness the growth and progress of our long-time students, many of whom have been with us for years.
Furthermore, it’s been particularly fulfilling to watch some of our students, whom I taught when they were kids, evolve into instructors themselves. It’s a testament to the power of martial arts in transforming lives and empowering individuals to become leaders in their own right.
From physical fitness to mental toughness to unwavering discipline, martial arts has given me so much, and I am wholeheartedly committed to sharing these incredible gifts with the world
Sensei Nathaniel Schmahl
Sensei Archie Currin
Sensei Evan McCollam
Sensei Sydney Root
My name is Sydney Root. I started traing in march 2021. In 2022 I started my teaching journey in the storm program and eventually earned my red instructor belt in 2023. Outside of Karate I enjoy other sports such as soccer and volleyball, various forms of art, and anime. I look forward to my future here and am eager to see how much I grow.
Sensei Andy Clark
My name is Evan McCollam. I enjoy working out, training martial arts, and spending time outdoors. I became an instructor in my mid twenties. I enjoy helping students achieve their goals not just in martial arts but in life.
Sensei Vincent Meyer
Coming Soon
Sensei Christian Kovnesky
I fully believe martial arts helped me growing up. Not only with sports ,but also in everyday life. It helped me with Discipline, Confidence, hand eye coordination, and balance. I am excited and passionate about helping our students achieve their goals through martial arts.
Sensei Jasmine Rubin
Coming Soon
What some of our students and their parents say about us
