Who Is Guro Dan Inosanto?
It’s hard to put into words what Guro Dan Inosanto means to the world of martial arts. Honestly, it feels almost wrong to try to sum him up in a short section like this — but for those of you who may not know the name, you should.
Guro Dan is one of the most respected martial artists alive today — and not because of hype or fame, but because of the sheer depth of his experience and dedication. He’s a lifelong student, a man who has devoted his entire existence to the martial path. He has trained in countless systems — Filipino Kali, Silat, Wing Chun, Muay Thai, Shooto, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and more — and he’s done it the right way: by learning directly from the source.
He’s trained with legends, and he’s also trained legends. His influence spans generations, and his reach — both technical and philosophical — is woven into martial arts systems and schools across the globe.
But what I respect most is that he’s still training. In his 80s, Guro Dan is still showing up on the mat, still learning, still teaching. His dedication isn’t about chasing fame — it’s about love for the craft and respect for the tradition.
Yes, he was Bruce Lee’s close friend and chosen successor in Jeet Kune Do — but that relationship didn’t define him. He was a formidable martial artist long before Bruce, and his contributions stand on their own.
Guro Dan has a rare ability to communicate across systems — he doesn’t just teach techniques, he teaches the concepts and cultural history behind them. He’s a walking encyclopedia, yes, but also a philosopher, a connector, and a servant to the arts. You don’t just learn how to move under Guro Dan; you learn how to think, how to respect, and how to see the humanity within each art form.
My connection to Guro Dan came through Tuhon Harley Elmore, one of his instructors and my own mentor. That opportunity — to earn instructor status under Guro Dan — wasn’t given. It was earned, step by step, through lineage and loyalty.
Guro Dan’s influence has had a tremendous impact on what we do at Pride Mixed Martial Arts. His mindset, his humility, and his approach to training are part of our DNA.
The First Encounter – A Rough Start
About 23 years ago, I attended my first Guro Dan seminar in Tulsa, Oklahoma. My instructors at the time — Mike Matthews and Mike Parker — encouraged me to go. I was still very green in Filipino martial arts and JKD. I didn’t know what I was getting into.
That seminar was packed with top-tier martial artists, many of them already well-versed in the systems Guro Dan was teaching. I wasn’t one of them.
And then there was the incident…
I got partnered up with the supermodel girlfriend of a very well-known instructor — and during a blade tapping drill, I caught her in the mouth with my aluminum trainer. Split her Botoxed lip. Possibly chipped a tooth. She wasn’t happy. I was mortified.
Meanwhile, Guro Dan was teaching at a pace I couldn’t keep up with — twenty combinations at a time, three minutes to drill, then on to the next. By the end of the first hour, my brain was cooked. I didn’t even come back for day two. I called in “sick” with a stomach bug.
That could’ve been the end of it. But it wasn’t.
Despite how rough that first experience was, something in me knew I had to come back. I couldn’t let that be the final word. I went back to my training with a fire lit under me — not out of pride, but out of purpose. I didn’t want to be embarrassed again. I wanted to understand what I had seen, what I had touched briefly, even if clumsily.
So I started studying harder. I revisited the material, drilled it, broke it down piece by piece. I didn’t walk away from that seminar defeated — I walked away determined. That seminar didn’t shut the door; it opened one. And I was going to make damn sure I was ready the next time I walked through it.
The Table of Respect – Meals with a Master
That seminar left me shaken, but also hungry to improve. I went back to the drawing board. I trained harder. I committed to mastering the systems I had only glimpsed at that seminar.
And years later, I found myself sharing meals with Guro Dan.
The first time was a hibachi dinner after another seminar. The room was full of talented martial artists. And yet, Guro Dan made time for everyone — asking about families, remembering names, treating everyone with humility and grace.
The second time was a smaller, more intimate lunch with Tuhon Harley Elmore. That’s when I got to see the man behind the legend — a deeply spiritual, humble, generous human being. A man of faith who doesn’t need to preach it, because he lives it.
What really stood out to me in both of those meals was how remarkably grounded Guro Dan was. This is a man who could easily carry himself like a superstar. He’s been in films, trained the best of the best, and has students around the world. But his ego never entered the room. He didn’t posture, didn’t dominate conversations — he listened. He asked sincere questions. He was genuinely interested in the lives of the people around him.
That was startling. A sharp contrast to the kind of ego you often see around big names in martial arts. I’ve been around a lot of the “who’s who” types — and many of them carry themselves like they expect a red carpet everywhere they go. But not Guro Dan. He was quiet power. Real presence. The kind that doesn’t need to announce itself.
Those meals weren’t just about food. They were about connection. About legacy. About learning who you want to be, not just as a martial artist, but as a man.
Warrior’s Way – Doors Opened by Tuhon Harley Elmore
Training with Tuhon Harley Elmore changed everything. I would drive from Oklahoma City to Wichita Falls, Texas, to train — private lessons, group classes, whatever I could get.
At the time, I wasn’t looking for rank. I wasn’t chasing certifications. I just wanted to train.
But Tuhon Harley kept encouraging me to join the instructor program. At first, I said no. I wasn’t in it for the accolades. But when he said, “If you think this stuff is cool now, wait until you see what the instructors are learning,” something clicked.
I joined the program. Trained harder. Learned deeper. And eventually earned my Level Four Full Instructor certification under Warrior’s Way International.
That set me on the path to becoming an Apprentice Instructor under Guro Dan — an honor that came through earned trust and years of consistency, not requests.
Tuhon Harley has opened countless doors for me and for Pride Mixed Martial Arts. Because of him, I’ve had the privilege to explore systems and relationships that otherwise would’ve been unreachable. Sayoc Kali. Ajarn Chai Sirisute. These are just a couple of the major opportunities that came through his belief in me and in what we’re building at Pride.
Just like Guro Dan, Tuhon Harley is a pillar in our lineage — not just in terms of credentials, but in terms of character. His influence on me personally, and on our organization as a whole, is immeasurable.
That’s how doors open in this world — through relationships, loyalty, and time on the mat.
Shared Values – What the Masters Teach Beyond Technique
Every great teacher I’ve had has shared one thing in common: a belief that martial arts is a path to self-mastery.
Technique matters. Timing matters. But what matters more is what it all teaches you about yourself. Martial arts is a mirror. It doesn’t let you hide. It shows you where you’re weak. And if you stay with it, it makes you better — not just physically, but in every part of your life.
That belief didn’t start with me. It was passed down — by men like Guro Dan and Tuhon Harley — men who trained with purpose and lived with integrity.
At Pride Mixed Martial Arts, we carry those values forward. We train hard. We push ourselves. But we also ask deeper questions:
Who are you fighting for?
What are you fighting for?
Martial arts is about becoming the most capable version of yourself — not just so you can protect, but so you can lead. In life, people gravitate toward those who can handle adversity, who stay calm under pressure, who have the tools to act when action is needed. Our goal is to build those people. The ones others run to in times of crisis, not the ones they run past.
True confidence isn’t loud — it comes from capability. From knowing that you’ve put in the work. That you have the strength, the discipline, the clarity to respond — not react — to whatever life throws at you. Martial arts teaches that. It gives us the tools to answer conflict, fear, and chaos with composure, precision, and purpose.
That’s what was passed to me. And that’s what I’m committed to passing on.
The Vision of Pride Mixed Martial Arts
Our mission at Pride is simple: use martial arts to help people become the best version of themselves.
That philosophy is rooted deeply in the example of Guro Dan Inosanto — a man who’s dedicated his life to honoring the arts, never chasing fame, and always remaining a student.
We built Pride around those same values.
Our gym is more than a place to train — it’s a family. A pride of lions. People from all walks of life coming together with one shared goal: growth. Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.
We’re not building an empire. We’re building people. And we’re carrying forward a legacy with every class we teach.
Why Lineage Matters – Honoring the Bloodline of Knowledge
Lineage isn’t a marketing gimmick. It’s a responsibility.
The arts we train come from a long, hard-fought history. People bled for this knowledge. Some died for it. And when we step on the mat, we carry them with us.
Guro Dan Inosanto has done more than anyone alive to preserve and pass on those traditions. His legacy isn’t in flashy moves — it’s in his dedication to the arts, his humility, and his unwavering commitment to honoring his teachers.
There’s a saying from Sayoc Kali:
“When you draw your blade, ten thousand hands draw it with you.”
That’s what lineage means.
When you train at Pride, you’re not just learning martial arts — you’re stepping into something bigger than yourself. A tradition. A legacy. A bloodline of knowledge that demands respect and gives back everything you put into it.
Our roots matter.
And it’s our job to honor them — in how we train, how we lead, and how we live.