Instructors
Jon McLean
Chief Instructor
Jon stands as our Chief Instructor, holding a 4th Dan in Shukokai Karate & Kickboxing alongside a Purple Belt in Gracie Jiu Jitsu.
Jon's initial foray into karate as a child was short-lived, a youthful experience cut short by a few too many reprimands! However, the spark was ignited, and in his early twenties, he returned to the martial arts alongside the same friend he used to get in trouble with, joining a local dojo in Caernafon.
Driven by a desire to build his own confidence, and inspired by a friend at another club in the network, Jon quickly immersed himself in training, often spending multiple hours honing his skills most nights. Though his initial training partner moved on, Jon's dedication only intensified and he continues his own personal training to this day.
When Jon overheard students discussing an instructor course he seized the opportunity, he enrolled, earned his Black Belt, and soon after, established his first club in Llanfairfechan. This marked the beginning of a dedicated journey in instruction that now spans over 15 years, built upon a solid foundation of 20 years of personal training.
Jon's competitive spirit has seen him step into the ring for two kickboxing cage fights, experiences that, while resulting in points losses, undoubtedly forged his resilience and understanding of combat. He also tested his skills in various kata and sparring tournaments, achieving respectable results.
His commitment to expanding his martial arts horizons led to the opening of our Beaumaris club and even a successful foray into the world of mixed martial arts with his first MMA victory. The establishment of our Llangefni club further solidified his growing influence.
Jon ventured out independently on January 1st, 2020, founding Warrior Spirit Martial Arts. While the subsequent lockdown presented considerable challenges, Jon's leadership ensured the club not only survived but thrived as the pandemic waned. This culminated in the proud opening of our dedicated Warrior Spirit Martial Arts dojo in Llangefni in September 2024.
Today, Jon dedicates his professional life entirely to teaching karate and kickboxing. His passion for all facets of martial arts is infectious – from the precision of kata and the strategic depth of bunkai to the dynamic exchanges of striking, grappling, and mixed martial arts. Embracing the freedom of shaping his own curriculum, Jon has built the club around the very elements that ignite his enthusiasm.
Beyond the physical techniques, Jon is a strong advocate for supporting Neurodiversity, Mental Health, and personal development, deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of martial artists. His expertise extends to understanding and supporting young people as a trauma-informed schools practitioner, making him a uniquely supportive and insightful leader for our club.
Jon's book, "Made on the Mats," available on Amazon, offers a personal account of his transformative journey from a shy teenager navigating undiagnosed autism to a confident martial arts school owner. This honest and accessible narrative details his discovery of functional karate, his evolution from a traditional network to an independent school, and his mission to create a supportive community where individuals who feel like they don't fit in can train, grow, and belong - our club motto!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Made-Mats-Jon-McLean-ebook/dp/B093ZX3TTS
Laura Vaughan (AKA Lawz)
Senior Instructor
Laura’s karate journey spans across more than two decades. Originally achieving her 1st Dan in Kickboxing in 2006 and then in Wado-Ryu Karate in 2007, Laura's martial arts exploration has been extensive, encompassing training in boxing, Muay Thai, and the dynamic art of XMA (Extreme Martial Arts). She has also explored the foundational principles of Judo and Jujitsu.
Laura's keenness for sharing her knowledge began early; at just 16, she started assisting classes and quickly found her niche leading sessions for the youngest students, aged 3-6. This early experience laid the foundation for her continued dedication to instruction.
Joining Warrior Spirit Martial Arts in 2021, Laura quickly crossed over to our Shukokai style in the same year. In 2024, she achieved her 2nd Dan, marking the end of her long-standing reign as a 1st Dan!
Although Laura loves sparring, and used to compete, she believes the heart of Karate lies in Kata. She finds profound enjoyment in the solo, meditative aspect of the forms, appreciating the focus and inner stillness they cultivate. She is also drawn to the practical and realistic self-defense applications inherent in Karate techniques.
Outside of the dojo, Laura serves as a civil servant. Her commitment to well-being extends beyond physical training, as she is also a qualified Mental Health Ally, Evac Chair Trainer, and First Aider. Interestingly, she also holds a qualification in forklift operation, and one day she’ll find a way to use this skill in class beyond being able to efficiently move in all directions when practicing kata!
Despite her energetic presence, Laura finds solace in quiet moments, particularly when reading – her literary tastes span across genres. One of her favourite ways to unwind is by sitting peacefully at the beach, gazing out at the sea, with the serene Eglwys Cwyfan beach holding a special place in her heart.
Si Keeble
Senior Instructor
Si brings a wealth of experience to our club, with a martial arts journey spanning more than four decades. His introduction to the art was perhaps a little unorthodox – learning the basics of being thrown by his older brother in judo at the age of seven! However, it was the discipline of karate that truly captured his interest when he started senior school. Over the years, Si has immersed himself in various karate styles, including Shotokan, Uechi Ryu, and Shukokai, and has also explored the flowing movements of Aikido and the grappling techniques of Jiu-Jitsu. While his current focus is on our Warrior Spirit style (Shukokai), his teaching is enriched by the deep understanding gained from his diverse training.
Having enjoyed the thrill of competition in his youth, Si now finds satisfaction in unraveling the original purpose of karate as a system of self-protection. He is a dedicated student of bunkai, analysing kata to uncover their practical fighting applications. Si also retains a fondness for Kobudo (weapons), occasionally demonstrating his proficiency (a bit rusty actually!) with the bo, sai, tonfa, and nunchaku.
Si's expertise extends beyond the martial arts. He is a qualified First Aid Instructor and has a fascinating history of global travel as a Scuba Diving Instructor and Instructor Trainer, reaching advanced technical level with rebreathers and mixed gases (deep diving!). Professionally, Si has spent much of his career in the world of IT and currently juggles two ventures: a marine science consultancy based right here in Anglesey and a web agency in Estonia. His life outside of work and the dojo is full with his wife, four children, and two canine companions (Rocky and Jet).
Alice Pascall (AKA Lee)
Instructor
From the moment our Warrior Spirit club doors swung open, Alice has been an integral part of our martial arts family. Initially joining at her mum's suggestion to build confidence, Alice has blossomed into a truly capable kickboxer and karateka. Now holding a 2nd Dan in kickboxing and a brown+white belt in karate, she stands as a testament to dedication and perseverance.
More than just a skilled martial artist, Alice confidently leads classes for students of all ages, inspiring others on their own journeys. Her own experience overcoming confidence challenges makes her an empathetic and effective instructor. She is continually learning, as you’d expect from any good martial artist, and currently enjoys learning new katas from any style.
Beyond the dojo, Alice brings her passion and dedication to other areas of her life. You might find her crafting delicious dishes as a part-time cook at the Cuffed-in coffee/cafe. In her free time, Alice also enjoys the challenge and grace of learning to ride horses and has a passion for music, playing several musical instruments.
Kalem Parry-Coles (AKA 'K')
Instructor
Kalem is a dedicated and skilled martial artist, holding the rank of 2nd Dan in both Shukokai Karate and Kickboxing. His martial arts journey began in 2012 and over the years he’s become an enthusiastic and valued member of our instructor team, having spent several years actively assisting and leading classes across both our Llangefni and Beaumaris clubs.
Kalem enjoys the intricate techniques of grappling, the practice of Kata, and the practical applications explored through Bunkai. His commitment to understanding the deeper elements of martial arts shines through in his teaching and personal practice.
Outside of the dojo, Kalem enjoys an almost obsessive commitment to computer gaming and watching films and anime. He also finds his peace in the simple pleasure of walking to Beaumaris pier, where he appreciates taking in the calming views.
Jonathan Thomas (AKA Jonno)
Kicboxing Instructor
Jonno brings a dynamic blend of striking and therapeutic expertise to our club. As an instructor, his kickboxing classes are highly energetic and he prides himself on getting the best performance out of his students by building up stamina, technique and sparring abilities. He has over seven years dedicated to kickboxing training / instruction, achieving the level of 2nd Dan, and continues his own journey in progressing his skills in Karate.
Jonathan's passion within martial arts lies firmly in the realms of fitness and sparring. He finds immense value in the physical conditioning that training provides, and the dynamic challenge of sparring. Jonno’s belief is that sparring is a crucible for growth, pushing individuals beyond their comfort zones and fostering continuous learning through both physical and mental engagement. In karate, he loves to grapple and practice self defence techniques.
Beyond the dojo, Jonathan works as a CAMHS Therapist, providing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to young people navigating mental health challenges.
Jonathan's commitment to knowledge and helping others extends beyond martial arts and therapy. He holds an MA in Criminal Psychology, is a qualified children's football coach, and is a qualified Nurse and CBT therapist.
Outside of his professional and martial arts pursuits, Jonno has a taste for adventure and exploration. He is an avid explorer and a keen hiker with an ambitious goal: to conquer all the Welsh mountains by 2030. Above all, he loves spending quality time with his children, engaging in fun and memorable activities.
