Joseph Simonet began his martial arts training in 1972 in the study of traditional Japanese Karate. During this time, Mr. Simonet was an avid weight trainer and power lifter. In 1973, Mr. Simonet began his study in Tracy's Kenpo Karate. At the age of 21, Mr. Simonet was managing a martial arts studio in Kirkland, Washington. With an open mind and an insatiable thirst for knowledge, Mr. Simonet spent the rest of the 1970's exploring several martial arts systems.
During the 1980's, Simonet started teaching his Karate Innovations in Seattle, Washington.
Consequently, this was also a time when martial arts seminar and workshop opportunities exploded. It was during this time that Simonet discovered Filipino Kali Escrima and Wing Chun Gung Fu. He also participated in many such seminars including, but not limited to, Jeet Kun Do (JKD), Savate, Tai Chi, Silat, Muay Thai, and Arnis. Thus KI Fighting Concepts emerged.
In the 1990's Mr. Simonet began his formal training in Pentjak Silat Tongkat Serak, Yang Style Tai Chi, and Doce Pares. Simonet is now an 8th degree black belt in Tracy's Kenpo Karate. He has attained 2nd degree level in Grand Master Cacoy Canete's Escrido. He also became Master Chris Petrilli's first black belt student, in 1998. Simonet has since attained 4th level black belt under Chris Petrilli in Doce Pares. He is a certified instructor in Yang Style Tai Chi under Dr. John Candea and a Guru with a 2nd degree black belt in Pentjak Silat Serak.
Mr. Simonet reached black sash level in Wing Chung Gung Fu during the late 1980's.
Mr. Simonet is quickly becoming an influential voice in the martial arts world today. His expertise in varied arts can be seen and learned through his video and DVD library from Paladin Press such as: The Mook Jong Slam Set series, Silat Concepts, Advanced Silat Concepts, Beyond Kenpo, Ultimate Sinawali, Wind and Rock Training Camp II, Extreme Wing Chun, Linking the Lines, Six Seconds of Controlled Insanity, and Gathering of Eagles 2001, Meet the Masters. Simonet also co-authored a book on Silat with Michael Janich. He is writing two books with Unique Publications to be completed spring of 2006.
After over thirty years of sustained effort in his training, Mr. Simonet has formulated his conceptual thinking into his own hybrid system called "Art and Science of Mook Jong".
This is a complete martial arts system, functional at all fighting ranges and utilizes practical application of empty hand, club, and knife fighting. All stemming from his own sixty-second form, called the Slam Set.
Mr. Simonet is also a highly publicized, nationally acclaimed martial artist making many public appearances and seminars coast to coast. He frequently appears in national publication magazines such as Inside Kung-Fu Magazine, Black Belt Magazine, Martial Arts Training Magazine, and has authored over twenty published articles.
Simonet has been featured on four covers of the Paladin Press catalog. Mr. Simonet has made frequent TV appearances such as Fearless on OLN, ESPN and VH1.
Simonet has also trained celebrities and musicians such as ex-NFL player Mike Utley, Duff McKagen bass player for rock group Guns n' Roses, Scott Weiland, lead singer for Stone Temple Pilots, and Dave Kushner from Suicidal Tendencies. Scott, Duff, and Dave have teamed up with Slash and Matt to become the world-class rock band Velvet Revolver.
Joseph Simonet continues to strive for the refinement of his martial arts expertise.
Mr. Simonet is truly a person whose pursuit of his life's dream has never wavered. His new hybrid system "Art and Science of Mook Jong" will no doubt change the course of the martial arts to date. He will have added to the "gene pool" of the arts.