I started Zen Do Kai for the first time in 1986 for a short while but it wasn’t until 1988 that I really got into it, prior to that I had trained in some boxing and Judo as a child. I first started for the self-defence and fitness side of things but soon came to enjoy the environment, positive attitudes and challenges that went with the training.
Before I new it I was training every day and progressing through the ranks. When I got to Shodan Ho (Black Belt) in 1990 I opened my first club where I found I had a real interest in teaching. Through to this day my passion in Zen Do Kai has to be helping people to help themselves. I have found that through teaching students and watching them improve and grow, I myself have grown -either through their growth or the fact I have had to source more information to help them.
Over the years this has led me to attend seminars, camps, other clubs, and for the past 8 years I have travelled overseas regularly for training seminars and up skilling. I have trained with the likes of Toshishiro Obata, John Will, Michael Campos, Patrick McCarthy, Bill Wallace, Steve Nedelkos, Bob Jones, to name a few and have also graded in many styles outside of Zen Do Kai.
This open minded approach to training has really kept me on my toes as we keep abreast on latest training and teaching methods, to the point now where I study things like Ortho-Bionomy, sports coaching and leadership to name a few new skills coming on board.
In 1996 I founded a group called Proactive Martial Arts, which I now work for full time. It is headed by a group of Zen Do Kai Black Belts that run professional clubs through out the South Island. Our Purpose is to educate and promote martial arts in an environment, which best services, the student.
Most of my time these days seems to be spent with martial artists and I find it a very inspirational and exciting job. Many of my close friends have either trained in the past or currently do so, including my wife who is probationary 3rd Degree Black Belt in Zen Do Kai.
I look forward to a very exciting 2008 with the development of the organisation and the progression and growth of all the schools. I would like to finish with a big thank you to all my past and present teachers who have helped me over the years. With there help it has influenced thousands in a positive way.

Shihan Nigel Stupples.

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