About Us
Finding Inspiration in Every Turn
JKD Colorado is a martial arts school dedicated to preserving the authentic, "pure" lineage of Jeet Kune Do, as taught by Bruce Lee's protégé, Ted Wong. We aim to uphold the highest standards of quality and accuracy, focusing on the essential details and core principles that make JKD a unique and complete extension of Bruce Lee's original development, without mixing in other martial arts.
Our philosophy centers on simplicity, directness, and efficiency training for real fighting situations and helping individuals build confidence, discipline, and self-defense skills.
Our Story
Established in 2007, JKD Colorado was founded by Mike Gittleson, a seasoned martial artist and certified instructor under Bruce Lee’s protégé, Sifu Ted Wong. Mike’s journey began at age ten, exploring traditional Jiu-Jitsu and Wing Chun before his pursuit of martial arts excellence led him to Southern California.
In the early 1990s, Mike began training privately with Sifu Wong. This mentorship transformed his approach to combat, leading him to embrace Jeet Kune Do (JKD) as the ultimate expression of efficiency. After years of running a successful studio in California where he trained military personnel, law enforcement, and private citizens, Mike returned to his roots in Colorado. Today, he continues to share Bruce Lee’s authentic JKD through focused, small-group instruction.
