Meet the team
After a 3 year hiatus, we are back with our own location!
We are a professional martial arts husband/wife duo with a combined 25 years experience in training & teaching Japanese
Jiu-Jitsu and Kickboxing.
David Whitehead
David is co-owner of WAA and an avid student, teacher and athlete, with an emphasis on overall self-empowerment, health & nutrition. He holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu as well as a Black Belt in Kickboxing and Shotokan Karate. He is trained and accomplished in Kickboxing, Japanese Jiu-Jitsu, Japanese Weaponry, Boxing, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu David has years of experience as a Martial Arts Performer, kickboxing competitor, and is a Self-Defence Advocate, Writer, Personal Health/Lifestyle Coach. In his other endeavors, David is a Documentary film-maker and podcaster. |
Monica Whitehead
Monica is co-owner of Warrior Arts Academy, Staff Lead, and Program Director. She is a Black Belt in Japanese Jiu-Jitsu and Certified Kickboxing Coach, Martial Arts Performer, Writer, and Personal Health Coach. Monica is an instructor of small children, kids kickboxing, and women/co-ed kickboxing and has trained martial arts since 2002, and worked in the martial arts & fitness industry for 20 years. With this experience, Monica has been active as a business mentor as well as a guide for children's mental and physical health in the community. |
Colin McPherson
Since 2011, Colin has trained Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu following several years of no-gi training. He holds the rank of black belt under Jean-Marc de Groot and Matthew de Groot, co-owners and head instructors of Van Isle BJJ. His approach to jiu-jitsu instruction is modern and technical with a strong emphasis on concepts that are accessible to all experience levels and abilities. |
We've been here before....
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22 years ago, we had a great team in Ottawa Ontario, where we received all of our certifications, teaching & competitive experience. Our travels led us to Toronto where we opened our first inaugural Academy, working 8 years there and raising our own team of Black Belts. This experience has brought us so much joy with lessons of life woven in our martial arts training and careers.
In 2015, we started a family, which ultimately led us to the West Coast and opened up shop in Sooke, BC. A little matted space inside a local gym that started it all in 2016. After a little 3-year covid set-back, we decided to give it another go so we could reconnect with everyone we lost touch with.
Back by popular demand, we filled our mats with all of our previous students and lots of new ones from our growing community. Here we are in 2024, we just moved in to a bigger and better space to accommodate all of our students with room to spare! Welcome to Warrior Arts Academy Come and meet us! |
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We also want to acknowledge that our Academy resides in T'sou-Ke First Nations territory and honour the traditions the First Nations people have brought to this land.
