I met Deane Wagner at a Seminar in 2008 we hit it off pretty well and exchanged numbers. A couple months later we began talking and in March of 2010 I taught a JKD/Filipino Martial Arts Seminar at his school. There are three things I look for in an Instructor: #1.) Do they have an open mind, #2.) Are they truly interested in helping their students grow, and #3.) Does the student body work well together. After training with Deane and his students at Wagner’s Martial Arts, I can tell you that, yes, Deane has an open mind.  He truly cares and is invested in his student’s growth, and the students are a great group to work with.  I highly recommend training with Deane and his students at Wagner’s Martial Arts.

Shawn Kitzman
Director – Synergy Martial Arts
www.synergycombatscience.com

I had the distinct pleasure of being contacted by Deane Wagner in early 2010. He was wanting to add a Filipino Martial Arts component to his Academy’s curriculum, and contacted me in order to fulfill that need and have me come in to do a seminar at Wagner’s Martial Arts Academy. I have traveled to Deane’s school, on a couple of occasions, in order to put on the seminars and I’ve noticed several things about his students, and him as an instructor.

Deane is able to create a great learning environment in his Academy. He is very approachable and always makes himself available to his students. Deane Wagner respects his students, and they, in turn, show him the same amount of respect. He leads by example and strives to practice what he preaches. What really impresses me is that Deane has been able to get his students to apply the knowledge that they’ve received by successfully competing in various competitions and events. He pushes his students to achieve a high level of success inside and outside of his Martial Arts Academy, and he trusts his students to be the right kind of influence when they go out into the community.

Deane Wagner is not only is an outstanding teacher, but an outstanding student as well. He has been able to take the FCS Curriculum and train it to very high level of competency, which is no small feat when you think about all the time that is taken out of his own personal training time because he does so much teaching. The way that he is progressing in the art, it will only take him the minimum amount of time to become an instructor in FCS Kali, which is no small feat. I am sincerely impressed by the progress he has made so far in the Filipino Martial Arts, and I have no doubts about having Deane lead the progress of FCS in the state of Ohio.

Unfortunately, martial artists have a tendency to reach a goal (usually a black belt or instructor level in an art) and then they never grow beyond that point. Deane is constantly learning and constantly growing, not content to plateau or wallow in mediocrity. This is hard to do for most people, and Deane has the insight to realize that it’s not about the destination, it’s about the journey.

I guess the most important recommendation that I can give to Deane Wagner is I would let him teach and instruct my son. My family is the most important thing in my life and I would have no reservations about letting him direct the growth of someone so close to me. Deane has earned my trust and deepest respect, and he has demonstrated outstanding leadership while maintaining a clear sense of purpose, all the while by leading through his faith.

Guro Ernie Lake
FCS Kali
FCS Kali Northeastern U.S. Regional Director
Inosanto/Lacoste Kali
www.fcskalikentucky.com