big sky newington
DeRon
“What I value most in my martial arts journey is being a part of clients and students’ journey as they build more confidence, improve their fitness and learn the tools to be safer. Clearly a win/win scenario.”
big sky new britain
Mike H
“I believe that a well-structured and taught self-defense program helps to improve community safety, which is something he values as a family man raising two young daughters.”
big sky vernon
Reese
“I am excited to be able share principles that will offer insight of personal safety and protection. My goal is to equip members with tools that will help them to feel confident so that they can better protect themselves and their loved ones.”
“Fewer victims… every day.”
Defend Yourself Training
We believe that everyone
has the right to feel SAFE.
Our Defend Yourself program teaches you how to stay safe and protect yourself. It’s not just about fighting, it’s about awareness, and building the confidence to handle whatever life throws at you. We combine techniques from several different disciplines so you have practical tools in dangerous situations.
The best way to get out of trouble is to never get into it in the first place.
Our objective with Defend Yourself Training (or DYT as we call it) is to prevent violence from ever entering your life. However, should the unthinkable happen, we can help to better prepare you to defend yourself, and your loved ones.
Sifu DeRon has been training in martial arts for over 25 years. He started his training in Taekwondo, the Korean martial which translates as the “art” or “way” of foot and fist fighting. Sifu DeRon earned his 3rd Degree Black Belt, competed on the Taekwondo sparring team and served as the instructor for the Inner-City Martial Arts Program in Hartford, CT.
He went on to train in Bruce Lee’s eclectic martial art of Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do (JKD). JKD is often referred to as the first mixed martial art. Although Bruce Lee was specific about not fussing over the name, Jeet Kune Do literally means the “Way of the Intercepting Fist”. Its principle is to embrace simplicity, effectiveness, directness and freedom in martial arts. Once the first phase is completed, it ultimately allows its practitioners to explore their own path in martial art while maintaining the principles of JKD. Sifu DeRon attained his Black Sash from Sifu Collin Lieberman under the direct lineage of Sijo Bruce Lee and Guro Dan Inosanto. He has also trained in Tai Chi, Wing Chun, Hapkido, Kali and Thai Boxing. Sifu DeRon was a 2022 Finalist for the Whistlekick Flashlight Award for “People who make a difference in the martial arts while quietly making an impact in their community”.
“What I value most in my martial arts journey is being a part of clients and students’ journey as they build more confidence, improve their fitness and learn the tools to be safer. Clearly a win/win scenario.”
DeRon
Mike is a lifelong martial artist with twenty-eight years of Taekwon-Do training from the legendary Grand Master K.S. Hwang and numerous other masters. He is a 4th degree black belt, is due to ascend to 5th degree this year. Mike has been a Taekwon-Do instructor for fifteen years and is Certified Instructor and Referee in the Unified International Taekwon-Do Federation (UITF).
In 2009 Mike won the adult’s sparring Grand Championship, in a UITF regional Taekwon-Do competition, despite being a junior at the time! Moreover, one of his students came in second, at the same event which is a testimony to his training and teaching abilities. Currently, Mike is a USA team hopeful for the 2024 UITF world championships.
Mike has a love of Taekwondo and combat sports. His advanced sparring skill and experiences give him uncommon insights in how to defend against attacks which aids his ability to teach self-defense. Mike firmly believes that everyone should learn how to defend themselves for their own safety and he is eager to share the knowledge gained through his years of training with anyone who wishes to learn.
Ultimately, Mike believes that a well-structured and taught self-defense program helps to improve community safety, which is something he values as a family man raising two young daughters.
Mike H
Reese is a multifaceted fitness professional of over 15 years. He has a martial arts background of nearly 25 years. He is well known in the industry for teaching successful Zumba/dance fitness, Boot Camp, and HIIT style classes.
Reese joined Big Sky Fitness in 2023 as a Group Exercise Instructor, and now uses his passion for self-defense and martial arts as a Defend Yourself (DYT) Training Coach. He is excited to be able share principles that will offer insight of personal safety and protection. His goal is to equip members with tools that will help them to feel confident that they can better protect themselves and their loved ones.
Additionally, he’s also an award-winning artist, producer and advocate for at-risk youth and families living with special needs. He’s received multiple awards from the State of CT/Governor, local towns, and received a “Day of Dedication” from the City of Springfield, MA, and other recognitions for his various work with communities and artistry.
Reese is excited to contribute his talents to the amazing community of members and staff of Big Sky. He’s thankful for the opportunity to grow and learn from the best in the business and is grateful to be submerged by the incredible wealth of knowledge and experience this family has to offer!
Reese