MARTIALFORCE.COM
PRESENTS
Sensei Mike Peters
By Shihan Eddie Morales
Martialforce.com
Online Magazine
Mike Peters was born in Redlands CA and grew up in an area called Lakewood CA. He played baseball and football in school. Peters later joined the Army in his senior year of High School and left for Basic Training in Georgia at the young age of 17.
His first duty station was in Germany where he was deployed to Bosnia and Kosovo. He later returned to Ft. Irwin CA where he became a defensive tactics and M.O.U.T. (Military Operation Urban Terrain) instructor.
On Sept 11th Peters was deployed to Ft. Irwin CA and was assigned to train all troops deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan, in desert warfare.
At the end of his service he moved to Orange county CA were he met his wife Denise and made the decision to attend Fullerton College police Academy. Peters successfully graduated from the police academy.
I first met Mike Peters about three years ago; he seemed laid back, kind of a carefree attitude. When he spoke of training in Martial Arts it was obvious that his words were coming from experience. I have been involved in Martial arts since the age of eight so I know when someone is coming from a strong background or if there just talking to pass the day as many do.
I listened as Mr. Peters explained basic to advance knowledge of ground technique and control and I knew he was for real. I thought he would be a great interview so I bring him to you, our readers here at martialforce.com.
Martialforce: When and how did you get involved in the martial arts?
Peters: When I was 13 I enrolled in judo and ju-jitsu classes at Jun do ki Ju Jitsu in La Mirada. It was a good way to stay active and learn self-defense.
Martialforce: Is it true that you served in the armed forces and if yes can you elaborate?
Peters: I spent 8 years serving in the US Army as an Infantryman. I served in 3 overseas deployments
Martialforce: What would you consider an ultimate martial art reference combination of systems?
Peters: I personally believe that Jiu Jitsu by far is one of the most applicable martial arts. That is why the military and law enforcement have adopted it for the Defensive Tactics. Other Martial arts are great but when it comes down to it Jiu Jitsu is the most practicable for everyday self-defense. You are not going to get into a Street fight and look like Bruce Lee. You are going to get down and dirty, take it to the ground, control him and beat the shit out of him
Martialforce: What does your typical daily workout consist of?
Peters: I weight train 5 days a week, run 3 days a week and train in Ju Jitsu 2 to 3 times a week.
Martialforce: Do you recommend martial arts training to everyone?
Peters: Of course, it teaches discipline, keeps you in shape, gives you the confidence to handle yourself and keeps you safe.
Peters in a Black hawk flying over kosovo
Martialforce: Who is your instructors/s?
Peters: Greg Fernandez, Master Sergeant Luis Rodriquez and Andy Mendoza
Martialforce: Do you recommend cross training reference weights, cardio etc?
Peters: Yes you need to stay well rounded, balance is the key.
Martialforce: Who if any, are some of your favorite fighters?
Peters: Chuck Liddell, Randy Couture, and Joe Stevenson
Martialforce: Thank you Sensei Peters and we at Martialforce.com wish you the best!
A FEW WORDS FROM DAVE BARNETT
Mike Peters and I are friends, Co-workers and Martial Artists. I have known Peters for 2 years and in that time have come to know a bit about his background. Mike and I both were in the Army however Mike's time in the Army was spent mostly in Iraq while I was a Vietnam era veteran. Still we shared that brotherhood and fraternal connection having both served our Country proudly.
I came to know Mike while working as a Tribal Officer on the San Manuel Indian reservation. Mike works in the Casino and is usually busy with Drunks, thieves and other criminal types while trying to make a safe environment for the law biding Patrons.
Occasionally Peters has to use his MMA skills to subdue a criminal type and he usually does it with relative ease and without great fanfare so that no one in the area gets hurt. Mike is the type of Officer you like to see responding when you need a back up, he keeps himself in great condition and practices his skills daily.
Mike understands how important practice is and is an up and coming force in the MMA world, he and some of the other young Officers at San Manuel have seen fit to nickname me "Chuck Norris" or Officer Norris due to my Tae Kwon Do style martial arts all this in a very loving brotherly atmosphere.... it also spawned a great deal of Chuck Norris jokes whenever I showed up in the Casino.
Good luck with all your mixed martial arts endeavors and conquest I'm sure you will succeed.
All the Best, Dave Barnett