Autobiography - James E. Cox 
I was born on March 6, 1970 in Odessa, Texas, but have lived most of my life in Abilene where I own and operate Abilene Kajukembo/Premier Martial Arts. The youngest of five sisters and one brother, I was raised by my mother in a single-parent home where, through tough times, I learned to be positive and appreciate the smaller things in life.
In 1985, as a 15-year-old “troubled” teen, I was invited to a martial arts class at the local recreation center by Michael and Stephanie Benavidez, friends and neighbors of mine at the time. The experience was both humbling and gratifying. I had no “natural talent” and the training was difficult (and often times brutal), but I had fun. The focus and discipline it took to succeed in martial arts gave me a positive outlet that soon replaced the negative lifestyle I was living. By the grace of God, I can honestly say that martial arts saved my life and provided me with a future and a hope.
My original instructor, Patrick McDaniel, is a charismatic and creative man who was both a teacher and a father figure to me. He grew a martial arts community from the seed that George Jackson planted when he first brought Kajukembo to Abilene in the mid 1970s.
After just a few short months of training, I began traveling with the team and competing in open tournaments throughout Texas and the surrounding states. I helped McDaniel teach classes as an orange belt, and in 1987, as a brown belt, I was given my own class at the YMCA. This proved to be an invaluable experience as it was a powerful position for a 17-year-old to be honored with. I had to quickly learn what it meant to be a leader, an example, an educator, and an entrepreneur.
In 1988, I earned my 1st degree black belt and graduated from Abilene High School. I opened my first full-time karate school in 1992 where I taught and promoted McDaniel’s “Noble Method” within the Kajukembo system. This method was designed by McDaniel in 1990 and perfected by the two of us as we sought to advance the basics by focusing on vital point striking and the martial artist’s attitude. Little did I know, only six years after opening my school, I would learn the greatest life-lesson about “attitude” and the desire to live.
In 1998, I suffered life-threatening injuries in a serious automobile accident and spent a week in ICU. I suffered head injuries, extensive internal injuries, and underwent three knee surgeries as a result. My heart even stopped at one point! Doctors were uncertain if I would ever walk again, much less train in the martial arts…but I had no doubt and I even competed at a National tournament only six months later after some of the most intense training of my life and won Grand Champion in fighting.
Several years later, I began on a quest to learn the business of martial arts by joining the National Association of Professional Martial Arts, United Professionals and Premier Management Group. These consultants assisted me in studying organized systems, marketing plans, and statistics, all in an effort to better understand the business aspects of my school.
In 2002, I added a new element to my schedule by teaching martial arts and kickboxing at Abilene Christian University as an Exercise Science Physical Education course. In 2003, I was inducted into the United States Martial Arts Hall of Fame. And, in 2005, I was promoted to 6th degree black belt and endorsed by three top Grand Masters in the Kajukembo system – Don Nahoolewa, Joe Davis, and Richard Peralta and promoted again in 2009 to 7th degree in both Kajukembo and Premier.
I had the honor of aligning directly with Peralta (KSDS) and affiliate Nahoolewa (AKA) after McDaniel moved from Texas to North Carolina in the early 1990s. Peralta was a true Grand Master and a self-defense genius, as well as a mentor and friend. In October 2005, less than one week after teaching a seminar at my school, Peralta passed away in Dallas, which marked a very sad time in my life. It made me realize how blessed I was to have worked with so many great people, and learning from Peralta was a privilege that I continue to honor by passing along his teachings.
My mission has always been to be the best possible martial artist, instructor, and school owner, while empowering the lives of others along the way. To be more “complete” and well-rounded, I have traveled to countless seminars and certification courses to learn from other styles and instructors. From 1994-2004, I took private boxing lessons from professional trainer, Jesse Cantu. Out of a “passion” to develop my boxing skills, I learned extensively about “toe to toe” fighting, physical and mental strength, and fight philosophy. In 2005, I also recognized the need for improved ground fighting, leading me to seek out the services of Brazilian Jiu-jitsu grappling master, Clay Pittman, and continuing my grappling training with UFC fighter Hermes Franca.
In 2007, we changed our business name from Abilene Kajukembo to Premier Martial Arts. Premier is a successful school licensing program that serves to advance our curriculum by implementing a more modern approach to the mixed martial arts. Premier also focuses on providing school owners with a professional, and marketable, business image, along with consulting support. In 2008, we became an affiliate of “The Pit” Hawaiian Kempo with John Hackleman and UFC legend, Chuck Liddell. The Pit is a functional, tested and all inclusive multi-disciplinary approach to martial arts and fitness. I also completed The Pit certification courses and was fortunate to train extensively with Hackleman, Liddell and the entire Pit team on many occasions.
I am a firm believer in competition for myself and my students. I have competed in over 20 tournaments a year for the past 20+ years, averaging some 1,200 fights in over 400 tournaments. I am proud to say I have placed in the top three at every tournament. Some of my other competition accomplishments include:
- 16-time A.O.K. Texas State Champion
- 4-time Texas State Instructor of the Year
- 2003 Golden Greek Award Winner
- 2004 Referee of the Year
A multiple Regional, State, and National Full-Contact Kickboxing Champion
I regularly perform demonstrations throughout Texas, schedule motivational speaking engagements, and teach seminars for all types of organizations, including schools, universities, churches, law enforcement agencies, etc. I am also a member of Team Mannatech which uses athletes worldwide to promote Nutritional Science supplemental products.
I run a full-time school of over 250 active students, with 67 Black Belts promoted to date as well as manage a very successful MMA fight team. Although a few of my black belts have “missed the message” or “forgotten their roots” over the years, I refuse to let those instances deter my desire to teach students to be superior martial artists – to train in labor to strive for the purity of mind, body, and spirit, as our class motto states. The quality of my students’ skills and their understanding of the martial arts “journey” are far more important to me than money or rank.
The best part of being an instructor is to be able to teach my two sons, Jay and Logan, and to pass on to them the lifelong benefits of the martial arts. It is rewarding to positively shape the characters and change the lives of so many people on a daily basis, and for that, I am truly thankful. All of my experiences over the years have become my knowledge and my power. I try to be happy without cause and make the most of what I have and I hope to build a better tomorrow while living each day as if it were my last. Thoughts become things, so always think positive!
“Train Strong to Remain Strong”
Sigung James Cox
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