In this episode, we sit down with Mike Deegan, a coach with Iron Mantis Martial Arts and owner of an affiliate school in Kerrville, Texas. Mike has been training in martial arts since the age of seven and brings over two decades of experience across multiple disciplines, including Shotokan karate, boxing, grappling, Tai Chi, and Seven Star Praying Mantis Kung Fu. Mike shares how growing up in California and facing bullying and real-life physical confrontations shaped his approach to self-defense and martial arts training. Influenced by the kickboxing boom of the 1980s and fighters like Benny “The Jet” Urquidez, he developed a deep appreciation for practical fighting skills while also embracing the cultural, mental, and spiritual dimensions of traditional martial arts.
