8th Degree Black Belt

Associate Master of the Arts

Founder Of Wink’s Gym & Partner at Jackson’s MMA

 

(1962-Present) Mike Winkeljohn was a student, martial arts school owner, and Black Belt with the American Kenpo Karate Academies (AKKA); Bill Packer’s organization. Mr. Winkeljohn was a notable member of Team Elite, a select group of advanced black belts under Bill Packer. He was also one of the foremost contact fighters that Mr. Packer trained.

 

Mr. Winkeljohn began his professional career as a kickboxer after finishing high school in 1980. The majority of Mike Winkeljohn’s competitive fights happened in the 1980s and 1990s. Mr. Winkeljohn’s impressive overall record of 25-7-2 as a kickboxer is well known. Mr. Winkeljohn is a multiple time world champion, both in Muay Thai and kickboxing.

 

Over the course of his career and through the exploits of the many competitors he has trained, Mr. Winkeljohn is known to be one of the greatest striking coaches of all time. Mr. Winkeljohn has proven time and again that his knowledge of the martial arts and contact sports goes way beyond the hypothetical. This resulted in Stephen LaBounty, Bob White, John Sepulveda, and Lee Wedlake (notable Senior Master of the Arts) recognizing Mr. Winkeljohn as an 8th Degree Kenpo Black Belt (an Associate Master of the Arts) in 2018.

 

From 1986 to 1998, prior to Mr. Pilch moving to Arizona, Mr. Winkeljohn and his exceptional teaching staff provided Mr. Pilch’s foundational Kenpo, kickboxing, boxing, and MMA training. Before, during, and after the formation of The American Institute of Kenpo, Mr Winkeljohn has provided guidance and enlightenment. 

 

After retiring from competition, Mr. Winkeljohn partnered up with Greg Jackson and went on to create Jackson Wink MMA. Mr. Winkeljohn trains many world class fighters that compete in many notable organizations, including the UFC.

 

Mr. Winkeljohn combines his martial abilities with his wife’s extensive experience to developed and implement programs that serve specialized and noteworthy community groups. Heather Winkeljohn has a Bachelor degree in Teaching and a Bachelor degree in Psychology. Mrs. Winkeljohn has extensive experience working as an in-home Developmental Therapist for at risk children as well as children that have disabilities from birth to three years old. Mrs. Winkeljohn taught at the middle school level where she worked with students learning English as a second language. Mrs. Winkeljohn is the author of "On Autumn’s Wing", a book that recounts the events that led up to her daughter’s traumatic birth that resulted in a brain injury and how their family has overcome the challenges presented by that injury. Combining their skills and abilities, Mr. And Mrs Winklejohn are always looking for ways to make the world better for others. This has led them to create notable programs such as IncredAble Adaptive MMA™ and Smart Girl Self Defense™.

 

Know in her background it is understandable why Mrs. Winklejohn founded IncredAble Adaptive MMA™. Mr. And Mrs Winklejohn work to empower and provide the skills & benefits of Mixed Martial Arts to youth and teens, who experience a variety of environmental, physical, and cognitive challenges. Working together, they provide a safe and comfortable environment for students with challenges; to cultivate and discover their hidden talents and potential through Mixed Martial Arts.

 

In addition to working with his wife on the IncredAble Adaptive MMA™ program Mr. Winklejohn founded Smart Girl Self Defense™. Mr. And Mrs Winklejohn co-teach the Smart Girl Self Defense™ classes to a variety of girls and women of all ages. In these classes, the strive to teach vital awareness, survival skills, and abilities aim at helping them to learn practical self defense, in a non intimidating and fun environment.

 

The American Institute of Kenpo is grateful to Mr. Winkeljohn. Not only for the inspirational example that he and his wife set, but also for all the hard lessons and unforgettable memories.