Jerry Smith

Before I begin, Jerry’s quite lengthy list of accomplishments, allow me to tell you what he means to me. Jerry played a vital role in my mindset about women's self defense. I always knew it was a good idea to know how to defend myself, but he gave me the tools and encouragement I needed that got me where I am today.  

• 1963 - Began amateur boxing training in Mr. Hal Tobin’s garage in Indianapolis 
• 1964 to 1971 - Golden Gloves Boxing
• 1971 – Began studying Chinese Kenpo with Al Tracy’s International School of Self-Defense
• 1972 – Graduated from Purdue University with an Associates in Applied Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• 1972 to 1974 – Attended several Jeet Kune Do seminars conducted by Mr. Joe Lewis, former Undefeated World Heavyweight Champion, who was himself personally chosen to train by the late Mr. Bruce Lee
• 1976 – Began fighting in Black Belt competitions as a Brown Belt across Indiana taking first and second places
• May 1977 – Earned 1stDegree Black Belt in Kenpo 
• September 1977 – Entered national competition fighting (sparring/kickboxing) taking First Place Middleweight at the Battle of Nashville in Tennessee
• November 1977 – Won Grand Champion Middleweight at the annual The Battle of Atlanta, the most prestigious Martial Arts tournament in the country
• 1978 – Ranked in the Top Ten in competition nationally by the United States Karate Association (USKA) 
• 1979 - Won the Professional Full-Contact Karate Tournament by TKO in the third round in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 
• 1979 – Retired from competition, returned to college, married and had a son
• 1980 – Earned 1st degree Black Belt in Okinawan Shorei Goju Ryu Karate with Mr. Herb Johnson and Mr. Doug Adamson
• 1982 – Graduated from Indiana University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Finance
• 1982 to 1990 – Continued to study various Martial Arts styles and compete
• 1990 – Formed Self Defense Systems (SDS) and began teaching part-time nights and weekends while still working full-time for the Kroger Company
• 1991 – Won the Executive Masters for 4th Degree Black Belt in the 35+ years old category at the Professional Karate Commission (PKC) Indiana Tournament 
• 1993 – Earned 5th Degree Black Belt from Mr. Al Tracy of the International School of Self-Defense in Lexington, Kentucky
• May 1993 – Resigned from the Kroger Company and began teaching full-time at a commercial studio
• 1995 – Became a Certified Apprentice Kali Instructor with Mr. Bruce Ogle 
• 1996 – Moved SDS to a new facility doubling the size of the school
• 1997 to 2000 – Studied a multitude of Martial Arts systems and using 3 rules to qualify the best techniques to enhance the Synergy of Self Defense Systems:

1. SIMPLE
2. PRACTICAL
3. EFFECTIVE

• 2000 to 2013 – Using his extensive years as a Kickboxer to determine the quality of his work, Jerry, refined the blend of Filipino Kali, American Kenpo, and Boxing into a new Martial Arts System:  KaliKenBo  
• 2013 – Sold SDS and began a semi-retirement
• 2014 - Promoted to 10thDegree Black Belt by Mr. Al Tracy of Al Tracy’s International School of Self-Defense
• 2016 to Present - Partnered with Cathy and Sam Gordon to develop the training system used at Ballance Defense, Inc. and continues to help women learn how to defend themselves

I have 55 years of experience in Martial Arts and have been actively (not passively) involved in the transition from Al Tracy’s Traditional Kenpo to a system fitted for the needs of today. I am a believer in Bruce Lee’s philosophy,” Use what works, pitch what doesn’t.”

It all starts with you knowing you’ve got the skills to defend yourself and knowledge is power. Not only has this changed my life, but, it has also changed the lives of the people I trained. Seeing the light come on. Knowing,” This is working, I can defend myself!”

When you’re doing something that changes people’s lives you can walk away knowing you helped them and can feel good about it. That’s the most gratifying part.