Jeremy Fry
About Jeremy
"I was born and raised in Southeast Michigan. I attended a technical college and began my career as a graphic designer, but eventually found my path in software development and team leadership. While I enjoy my job, my real passion has always been learning and personal growth.
I love gaining new skills through my hobbies, such as blacksmithing, embroidery, leatherworking, and even working on cars. I have three wonderful kids, two of whom are also part of the JMAC family. Having experiences where we can learn together is important to me."
Athletic Background and Martial Arts Experience
"I participate in a combat sport called Armored Combat, a competitive full-contact combat sport. In Armored Combat, opponents are eliminated by taking them to the ground, often using throws that have a strong foundation in Judo. I originally sought out a Judo school to cross-train and improve my competitiveness in armored combat. While Judo did improve my performance in armored combat, I found that I was increasingly drawn to martial arts. Eventually martial arts became the focus of my training."
Path to JMAC
"In my 20s, I had some limited experience with Wing Chun Kung Fu but never seriously pursued it. In my 30s, I started focusing heavily on strength training and competed in multiple powerlifting/strongman competitions. While I enjoyed weight lifting, after multiple back injuries, I realized that the strain on my body — both from my size and from moving extremely heavy weights — would not be sustainable long-term. JMAC was my first time seriously studying a martial art, beginning with Judo and later branching out into Iaido, and most recently, Karate."
Favorite Aspects of JMAC
"Without question, it is the community of people at JMAC. Everyone is supportive of each other, and we're always excited to get the opportunity to train together. The senseis are incredible. It is amazing to learn from individuals who are exceptionally skilled and able to distill that knowledge into teachable concepts. Seeing the genuine joy they experience when any of us executes a technique perfectly shows how much they care."
Challenges and Adaptation in Training
"Because of my background as a powerlifter and my general level of fitness when I started at JMAC, I was very concerned about my athleticism. My cardio was limited, and my mobility was not great. One of my favorite sayings from Suino Sensei is, 'Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.' Knowing that I had permission to scale the training to my level pushed me to always be improving so that 'what I have' was more than what I had the week before.
I'm happy to say that I've lost over 80 pounds since joining JMAC, and I owe a lot of that to the support I received from everyone there. My athleticism has improved tremendously, and I'm seeing the payoffs in everyday life, like how quickly and easily I can move up and down the stairs."
Personal Growth and Self-Perception
"My perception of myself has changed dramatically since I started training. Even when I was involved in other sports, I would have never described myself as an active or disciplined person, which created cracks in my self-confidence and made it difficult to see myself as someone focused on my health. Being surrounded by individuals who are humble yet confident has helped me reframe how I see myself, leading me to make better decisions for my health. If you asked me today how I would describe myself, I'd say 'I am a dedicated martial artist who works to balance family and training.'"
Training for a Healthy Future
"Part of me wishes I had found JMAC when I was 20 years old, but I found it exactly when it was best for me, and I'm grateful for that. I've gained a supportive and welcoming community that has provided me with role models I use to shape how I want to live my life. I turn 40 this year, and with the changes I've made over the last two years, I'm more confident than ever that I will live a long, healthy life."