Meet John Rich | Head Instructor at Premier Martial Arts Gilbert, AZ

We had the good fortune of connecting with John Rich and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, what do you attribute your success to?
I think the most important factor regarding my successes ultimately comes down to communication. Without good communication I’ve seen the wheels fall off of the bus pretty quickly in both business and relationships (and good business is based in good relationships). My students always know what I expect from them and they deliver because I have communicated what I require from them to be great at what they do. Premier Martial Arts is a brand that flourishes due to fantastic communication and support between corporate and their franchisees, the owners and their employees and employees to clientele.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’ve been practicing martial arts since I was a kid (40 plus years ago) and have studied both traditional martial arts as well as modern MMA (mixed martial arts). I have also studied acting and work as both an actor on stage and screen as well as a stunt fighter and choreographer. I was recently nominated for my second ariZoni award for my fight choreography work on Les Miserables under the direction of the wonderful Sandi Carll and Desert foothills Theater. I think deciding to make a living doing what you’re passionate about is never an easy road. I took quite a circuitous route to where I finally ended up. I was an actor, singer, stunt fighter, clown (in the literal sense), ballroom dance instructor, worked in personal protection, security, owned a company that manufactured voice and data communications cabling for 21 years, owned my own martial arts dojo and, ultimately, was asked to be the head instructor at Premier Martial Arts in Gilbert, AZ where I have been for the last 2 years. It took me many years to finally discover what I wanted to be when I “grew up”, but I wouldn’t change my path in any way! Every trial and hardship helped to forge me into the person I am today! I think that the thing that really sets me apart from most other martial artists is that fact the I AM a trained actor (I was a musical theater major when I went to Coe College in Cedar Rapids Iowa) and find great value in being a great listener and communicator. I found out very early in life that you could help your clients best if you first listen to what they truly need. Not what they “want” in many cases, but NEED. I also see a lot of martial artists preaching about kindness, courtesy, discipline, integrity, perseverance, self-control etc, but I truly practice what I preach. I want to be the type of martial arts instructor and role-model that younger people will want to emulate. That alone makes it a difficult job, but one so fulfilling, that it’s hardly an inconvenience. There are many black belts in the world, but I strive to BE one not just HAVE one!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Well, after the obligatory trip to the Grand Canyon, I would show them some of the places I like to hang out with friends and family. I would, of course, show them the dojo in Gilbert and have them take a few classes with me (gotta work off the meals I will take them out for after all), I love to hang out at a little bar and grill in Chandler called Sawtooth Bar and Grill. They have the best karaoke in town with the absolute best KJ in the valley (shout out to Phil); SO much fun to watch people sing and get out of their comfort zones! I would take them to a little theater called the Theatre Artists Studio, the Herberger Theater Center and Desert foothills Theater to see some of the best actors in AZ flex their creative muscle. Perhaps a trip to the Tempe Improv to see some live stand-up comedy would also be in order. I would certainly take them to T. Cook’s for dinner at the Royal Palms Resort and Spa where Chef Lee Hillson is one of the best in town at what he does!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Wow! Where do I start? I think I need to recognize my good friend and mentor Sensei Steve Wichtendahl without whom I would never have continued to explore my passion for all things martial arts and for teaching me that sometimes you simply MUST think outside the box. Thanks to my lovely bride Dee for supporting me and my strange interests. My kids for putting up with a particularly picky Sensei/father. Thanks also to Holly and Nick Pitman for the opportunity to help teach the next generation of black belts here in Gilbert, AZ and last, but certainly not least, Jessie Wertman our program director at PMA Gilbert. Jessie is often overlooked because I am the one in front of our students and their parents while she works tirelessly and silently behind the scenes.

Website: https://premiermartialarts.com/gilbert/

Instagram: senseijcr

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnrichpma