Meet Our Instructors
A teacher is never a giver of truth; he is a guide, a pointer to the truth that each student must find for himself. - Bruce Lee
Global is proud to have an exceptional team of instructors, who share a passion for teaching and the life-long learning that martial arts brings. Our instructors continue to train and learn from Masters and Grand Masters, in traditional and non-traditional martial art systems and styles, providing a solid knowledge base for our students.
Sensei Daniel Yeates
President and
Co-owner & Chief Instructor
Sensei Ron Yeates
Senior Instructor
Founder & Co-owner
Prof. P.J. O'Sullivan
Owner Pura BJJ
Head Instructor
.jpeg)
Prof. Ricardo Ammendolia
1st Degree Black Belt in BJJ
Instructor at Pura BJJ
Sensei Justin Doherty
6th Degree Black Belt
Head Inst. - Adult Wado Kai Karate Program
Prof. Joe Niro
1st Degree Black Belt
Instructor at Pura BJJ
Sifu John Koeshall
Associate Instructor - JKD, Kali, BJJ, Kempo Karate
Founder and Head Instructor - "Thru The Fire" Training Organization (San Clemente, California)
John currently has students in Africa, Asia, Europe, and across North America. Based in California, he has experience working with various local and national law enforcement agencies in the US, Canada, the UK, Denmark, Sweden, and other countries. From working with airline personnel to Sr. level crisis management teams, John is a expert on travel safety, personal protection, and stress management. John is heavily involved, with various governments, in combating Human-Trafficking. He is also a direct student of Rick Faye, Paul Vunak and Guro Dan Inosanto. We are privileged to be founding members of Thru The Fire" Training Organization. John continues to conduct seminars at GMA.
Sensei Jessica Miller (B.Sc Kin, RRT)
Sensei Jessica, a 4th Degree Black Belt, has been training since 2002 and started instructing both kids and adults in 2006. In addition to training in karate, she trained in kickboxing and competed internationally representing Canada in continuous sparring and earned medals in 2008 & 2009. Jessica has her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and an Advanced Diploma in Resiratory Therapy and currently works as a Registered Respiratory Therapist in the hospital setting.
Sensei Cory Ivan
Sensei Cory started at Liberty's Karate and when Sensei Liberty retired, Cory continued his training under Sensei Justin at GMA. As a 4th Degree Black Belt, Cory helps teach the adult Wado Kai Karate program. Sensei Cory's daughters train at GMA in the child-youth program.
Sensei Steve Start
Sensei Steve started his training under Sensei John Liberty, continuing with Sensei Justin after John retired. Although Steve has been doing martial arts for 30 years but took a 12 year hiatus for family time. Steve helps Sensei Justin with the bunkai videos and is enjoying the adult class with his son Evan, who recently received his 1st Degree Black Belt. Steve's other son, Miles, trains in GMA's kickboxing class. Steve is a 3rd Degree Black Belt.
Sensei Jordan Miller
Sensei Jordan, a 3rd Degree Black Belt, started his martial art journey at the YMCA in Burlington, under Sensei Ron. When Sensei Ron left the "Y" program to open GMA, Jordan continued to train and joined the adult classes at GMA under Sensei Justin.
Sensei Ligaya Stinellis
Sensei Ligaya has been training at GMA since 2006 and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt. She is a provincial wrestling champion and represented Canada at the Pan-Am games in Argentina. She cross-trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do & Filipino Martial Arts, including Kali. She's an instructor in our Women's Self-Protection Program and teaches the Child and Youth Karate Programs.
Sensei Nelson Ruiz Blanco
Sensei Nelson started training in Karate 10 years ago, but joined GMA in 2014 as part of our Wado Kai Karate program and is a 3rd Degree Black Belt. Nelson also trains in Kali and he earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in the Canadian Combat Arts (CCA) in February 2023, as he continues to grow his knowledge of the martial arts.
Sensei Samantha Moeller
Sensei Samantha, a 2nd Degree Black Belt, began her training under Sensei Ron at the Flamborough YMCA in 2003. She has competed in local, provincial and national tournaments and won over 40 title matches. Since starting her martial arts journey, she has branched out to learn weapons and practical techniques and katas from several other styles.
Sensei Caitlyn Clarke
Sensei Caitlyn has been training with GMA since 2007. She is a 2nd Degree Black Belt and is respected for her ability and her teaching skills, and she participates in all the Karate classes, Kali training, Kickboxing and Jeet Kune Do classes. She's a yellow Sash in "5-Animal Kung Fu" and an instructor in our Women's Self-Protection seminars.
Sensei Meghan
Sensei Meghan came to GMA when she was 10 years old. Since then, she's earned her 1st Degree Black Belt, graduated from McMaster University and published a book. Meg is always ready to help demonstrate proper kicking techniques and making it look easy. Sensei Meghan is part of our office staff, she teaches all karate classes and keeps us in smiles.
Sensei James
Sensei James started to train in Wado Kai Karate at age 12. He's is a fierce competitor and loves sparring. He has competed at the national and international levels, earning a bronze medal at the 2017 and 2015 World Karate and Kickboxing Championships held in Orlando, Florida. He has trained in self-defense, kata, and sparring and continues to add to his martial arts skills by training in Kali. James is a 1st Degree Black Belt.
.jpg)
Sifu Samantha (1st degree)
Sifu Samantha holds a 1st degree black sash and has over 14 years experience in Southern Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu. She has had the opportunity to compete at various levels and participate in lion dance performances. She joined the GMA family in 2015 and loves to share knowledge of Chinese culture and martial arts. She earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in the CCA program in February 2023. She is an instructor in our Women's Self -Protection Program and now cross trains in our Jeet Kune Do & Filipino Martial Arts program, including Kali.
Ed Mule
JKD Apprentice, Level 1
Ed came to GMA around 2012 and was drawn to the JKD program. Ed took a hiatus for a couple of years and came back after Covid.
.jpg)
Al Guerra
JKD Apprentice, Level 1
Al Guerra has been a member of GMA since 2011. Al is an apprentice instructor in Jeet June Do and has been cross-training in kickboxing since 2014. He and his family attend a variety of classes at GMA and he believes the skills learned at GMA are valuable in all aspects of life.