🎧 Episode Release – The Mind Sensei Podcast

Welcome to The Mind Sensei Podcast. Today, we are honored to sit down with a true veteran of American Kenpo.

Welcome to another exciting episode of the Mind Sensei podcast

Today’s guest is a true pillar of the American Kenpo community—Sifu JR Diaz. Beginning his Kenpo journey in 1976, marking his 50th year in

the martial arts as of 2026, he earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in 1988 under David Perez and has since risen to the rank of 9th Degree Black

Belt under the legendary Senior Master of the Arts, Richard “Huk” Planas.

Sifu Diaz earned the Huk Planas patch in 1993, studied with Ed Planas (Huk’s brother) in Kabaroan Eskrima and holds the title of Guru in that

art. 

He opened his first school, Lemoore Kenpo Karate, shortly after his black‑belt achievement and now serves as Chief Instructor at Double

Dragon Kenpo Karate in Sanger, California, where he emphasizes professionalism, discipline, honor, and loyalty in every class. He also

serves as a Kenpo Girls instructor, working with Jesalyn Harper, and helped inspire the Kenpo Girl blog.

A respected voice within the Parker‑Planas lineage, he was honored to be invited as a featured instructor at the inaugural Huk Planas Legacy

Seminar 2025, sharing his knowledge alongside other senior masters such as Marty Zaninovich, Chuck Epperson, and Scott Halsey.

Please join me in welcoming Sifu JR Diaz to The Mind Sensei Podcast.”

this special three-part series of The Mind Sensei Podcast, I sit down with Mr. J.R. Diaz, 9th Degree Black Belt and founder of Double Dragon Kenpo Karate in Sanger, California.

We begin at the start of Mr. Diaz’s martial arts journey — entering American Kenpo in 1979, his early training under Mr. David Perez, earning his Black Belt in 1988, and beginning a lifetime dedicated to teaching and preserving the art.

We explore the people, experiences and lessons that shaped his approach to Kenpo and ultimately led him toward the lineage and teachings of Senior Master Richard “Huk” Planas.

🎧 PART 1 — THE BEGINNING OF THE JOURNEY

And please LIKE and SHARE the episode with the Kenpo community.

Personal & Martial Arts Background

• Senior American Kenpo instructor with more than 45 years of continuous training and teaching.

• Founder and Chief Instructor of Double Dragon Kenpo Karate in Sanger, California.

• Dedicated to preserving the principles, concepts, and self-defence philosophy of Ed Parker’s American Kenpo.

• Highly respected throughout the California Central Valley for his technical knowledge, leadership, and mentorship.

• Has developed multiple generations of black belts and instructors over several decades.

Career Highlights & Achievements

• Began training in American Kenpo in 1979.

• Original instructor was David Perez.

• Earned 1st Degree Black Belt in 1988.

• Founded Lemoore Kenpo Karate immediately after receiving his black belt.

• Successfully operated several Kenpo schools throughout Central California.

• Later established Double Dragon Kenpo Karate in Sanger, California.

• Continued advanced studies under Senior Master Richard “Huk” Planas.

• Promoted through the senior black belt ranks under Huk Planas.

• Currently holds the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt.

• Has instructed for more than 35 years as a professional Kenpo instructor.

• Frequently teaches seminars and supports Kenpo events throughout California.

• Has mentored instructors who have gone on to establish their own successful schools.

J.R. Diaz, Huk Planas, Richard Planas, Double Dragon Kenpo, Ed Parker, American Kenpo, Kenpo principles, Kenpo concepts, Kenpo lineage, Kenpo history, Parker Kenpo, martial arts history, Mind Sensei Podcast

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