After studying Taiji Quan, northern Shaolin Kung Fu, and Shorinji Kempo, John formally learned Wing Chun under Sifu Lo Man Kam while living in Taiwan. At the time, there were many occasions to spar against and learn from practitioners of Seidokaikan and Shotokan Karate, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Western boxing, Aikido, Judo, Sambo, Western wrestling, Jujitsu, Chen and Zheng Taiji, and several other styles of Kung Fu. After returning to the U.S., he has continued to explore Wing Chun, learning advanced footwork from Sifu Lo's son, Gorden Lu; fighting drills from Sifu Duncan Leung and his student Sifu Mike Shea; drills, ideas, and mid-level kicks from Sifu Akko Nishimura of Francis Fong's lineage; approaches and drills from seminars with Sifu Randy Williams; and varied use of elbows and knees from Daniel Munkus of Sifu Jim Lau's lineage. He also studies Internal martial arts with Sifu Johnny Jang in Oakland.
John is currently teaching in Richmond, VA, but returns to the Bay Area semiannually to check up on his students.