Featured Teachers

~ Last Updated 12/12/2025

Mike Winkeljohn

• Founding partner in Jackson Wink MMA Academy

• One of the most sought-after coaches in the world of Mixed Martial Arts

• 8th Degree Black Belt (Associate Master of the Arts)

• Multiple time ISKA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai World Champion in various organizations

• Co-creator of the Smart Girl Self Defense program

Mike Winkeljohn is one of the most sought-after coaches in the world of Mixed Martial Arts today.

In 2018, Mr. Winkeljohn was awarded and was recognized as an 8th Degree Black Belt (Associate Master of the Arts) by Sigung Stephen LaBounty, Bob White, John Sepulveda, and Lee Wedlake. These Senior Masters of the art of Kenpo recognized Mr. Winkeljohn for his continuous dedication and service to the development of the martial arts. These Kenpo Seniors recognized Mr. Winkeljohn as world class practitioner and trainer of champions in the disciplines of Boxing, Kickboxing, Muay Thai, MMA, and Kenpo Karate. He was recognized as an elite coach and mentor, cultivating superior fighting capability while always remaining a humble servant to his family and community.

In addition to being recognized as an 8th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate, Mr. Winkeljohn is a multiple time ISKA, Kickboxing, and Muay Thai World Champion in various organizations. He is the coach to some of the best athletes to ever grace the sport of Mixed Martial Arts, such as Jon Jones, Holly Holm, Carlos Condit, Michelle Waterson, Andrei Arlovski, Claressa Shields, and many other world-class professional MMA athletes. He spends most of his day building dreams in the world-renowned Jackson Wink MMA Academy for professional athletes.

Mike Winkeljohn teamed up with his friend Coach Greg Jackson, and together they successfully run one of the best MMA camps in the world, Jackson Wink MMA Academy. Mr Winkeljohn has spent the better part of 40 years teaching martial arts to families and kids in the Albuquerque area.

Mr. Winkeljohn and his wife Heather have created a very successful Smart Girl Self Defense program, where women from all walks of life get together and learn practical Martial Arts techniques from some of the best instructors in the world. Mr Winkeljohn and his wife Heather Winkeljohn created this program and have been successfully running it for over 10 years.

Heather Winkeljohn

• Black Belt and coach

• Practinor of Jiu Jitsu, Kenpo, and grappling.

• Co-creator of the Smart Girl Self Defense program

• Registered Nurse with a BSN and holds two degrees in Education and Psychology

Heather Winkeljohn has been teaching all ages and abilities in fitness and self-defense for several years. Heather is a Registered Nurse with a BSN and holds two degrees in Education and Psychology. She learned Jiu Jitsu in the early 90’s and continued her martial arts experience in 2000, by pursuing AKKA (American Kenpo Karate) and grappling.

In 2011, Heather decided she wanted to create a self-defense system for women that was fun, practical and based on escaping the attacker, and fighting when necessary. The goal was to make self-defense accessible by all shapes, sizes, ages and abilities.

Heather and her husband, Mike Winkeljohn, put their heads together to create a practical self-defense program for women, Smart Girl Self Defense.

Much of the course is based in psychology, a little neuroscience and practical techniques. Guest speakers often participate as well, and include APD, former military Ops and a Forensic Psychologist. The Winkeljohn’s have had several women return to share their stories of success, in escaping an attack.

Seminar Reviews

~ Reviews written in December 2025

Mr. Pilch

Gratefulness & Appreciation 

Our students were fortunate to receive an exceptional training opportunity with my inaugural instructor and his wife, Mr. and Mrs. Winkeljohn. During this holiday season, they graciously dedicated their time to delivering a customized seminar that proved to be both highly educational and enlightening.

Throughout the seminar, the attendees engaged actively in the development of concept analyses derived from our baseline forms. The concepts underwent a process of simplification, refinement, and application to combat scenarios.

As always, the AIK staff and I were proud to witness the dedication and enthusiasm of our students.

Observing Mr. and Mrs. Winkeljohn delve into the essence of our pursuit, effective self-defense, evoked a sense of nostalgia within me. It has been over 25 years since I had the privilege of training daily in their esteemed environment. Therefore, I am profoundly grateful for the opportunity to have been in their class. For my students, I am immensely grateful that they had the chance to encounter instructors who have had such a profound and meaningful impact on my life.

I extend my sincere gratitude to Mr. and Mrs. Winkeljohn for providing us with this rare and memorable experience. 

Cliff

An Exceptional Seminar with Coach Mike Winklejohn

This year’s seminar with Mike Winklejohn was truly outstanding. While his reputation as a world-class martial artist and MMA coach precedes him, experiencing his instruction firsthand is another matter entirely. I am incredibly grateful to Mr. Pilch for organizing this event and providing us with the opportunity to learn from such a high-caliber professional.

Coach Winklejohn began the session by analyzing a student’s execution of the Triple Block Form. From there, he provided a masterclass on how traditional forms translate into practical application, demonstrating how specific components function in both defensive and offensive scenarios. His insights on guarding and closing distance are invaluable additions to any sparring or self-defense repertoire.

I give this seminar a well-deserved five stars. It is a privilege to be part of an organization that consistently brings in legendary figures to help us grow as martial artists.