Joel Ledlow is the Founder and Head Instructor of Evolution Martial Arts.

A highly accomplished martial artist with over 35 years of experience in movement, Joel began his martial arts journey with wrestling at age 13. While studying at UCLA, he trained in stage combat under Ed Monaghan in the Theatre, Film and Television Department. After graduating, Joel continued his training at Monaghan’s school, Combative Arts Academy, where he studied with multiple masters in disciplines including tai jitsu, savate, Muay Thai, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, judo, Kali, and aikibujitsu. He eventually became an instructor at Combative Arts Academy and assisted Monaghan with classes at UCLA.

In 2001, Joel moved to Tokyo, Japan, to teach at the prestigious Sho Kosugi Institute, where he continued his aikido training. Upon returning to Los Angeles in 2002, he worked as a security professional in the Hollywood nightclub scene, quickly advancing to head of security due to his calm demeanor and ability to de-escalate and manage high-risk situations. During this period, he continued teaching at Combative Arts Academy, took on private students, and in 2006 began training privately with Jerry Poteet, a direct student of Bruce Lee.

Over the next four years, Joel refined his Jeet Kune Do under Poteet’s guidance while teaching his own students and regularly applying his skills in real-world security situations. In 2010, he married in Los Angeles and moved to his native Oklahoma to raise a family and establish his own school. That August, the first students began training at Evolution Martial Arts.

In 2014, Joel and his family relocated to Winnipeg to be closer to extended family during his wife’s health challenges. While teaching at a local community centre, he continued to oversee the Oklahoma school until its sale in 2019. After an extensive search, Joel secured a permanent home for Evolution Martial Arts in Winnipeg, where he now teaches Duo Ji Kung Fu and Jeet Kune Do.

Joel holds a 5th-degree black belt in Duo Ji Kung Fu under Ed Monaghan and is a full instructor in Jeet Kune Do under Jerry Poteet. In addition to his school instruction, he has provided close-quarters combat training to U.S. Army personnel and continues to share his expertise through workshops and interviews on Jeet Kune Do and martial arts methodology.

• JEET KUNE DO
  Full Instructor (Jerry Poteet)
• DUO JI KUNG FU
  6th Degree Black Belt (Ed Monaghan)
• TAI JITSU
  Mentorship (Sensei Chadwick)
• ADDITIONAL TRAINING
  Aikibujitsu, Aikido, Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Savate, Muay Thai, Kali, Western Fencing, and Wrestling