About Coach Chad

Our esteemed coach Chad Lumley embarked on his martial arts journey in 1986. Stirred by the exceptional martial arts prowess of Bruce Lee, Chad was drawn into the intriguing world of Ninjitsu at an early age. His thirst for the discipline, honor, and wisdom inherent in traditional martial arts soon led him to simultaneously train in Hapkido and Taekwondo.

Chad’s dedication to his craft took him to the prestigious Yong In University in South Korea where he further honed his skills. His relentless drive resulted in the achievement of a black belt in Taekwondo, a 1st degree black belt in Hapkido, and an impressive 6th degree black belt in Kai Shin Freestyle Karate.

A passionate competitor, Chad participated in numerous karate, Taekwondo, and kickboxing matches. With hundreds of Taekwondo and open style karate tournaments under his belt, and as he took his first steps into freestyle fighting he had already embarked on his journey as a coach, guiding others in Hapkido and Taekwondo.

The year 1995 marked Chad’s transition from traditional martial arts to a freestyle approach. Introduced to Kai Shin Karate and Freestyle Kickboxing by Glen Bell, Chad embraced the concept of ‘Kai Shin’ or ‘open mind’. This paved the way for him to learn Muay Thai and Kickboxing under the expert guidance of Glen Bell and Nick Stone, with the latter training him for his first kickboxing fight.

Chad’s thirst for martial arts knowledge and his passion for blending styles took him further into the realms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) and Kai Shin. Training with Peter King, Anthony Lange, and others, he added BJJ to his growing list of skills and currently holds a brown belt in this discipline. He’s also a seasoned competitor in both sports jiu-jitsu and Brazilian jiu-jitsu.

This harmonious fusion of diverse styles provided Chad with an early prototype for mixed martial arts, a knowledge he harnessed to successfully coach MMA for both Sonny Brown and Nick Pudney. Alongside coaching Muay Thai fighters and guiding boxers to Pan Pacific Championships, Chad Lumley is a gentle, quiet motivator, able to bring out the best in both skilled fighters and beginners alike.

Join us at Apex MMA to learn from Chad Lumley, a coach who embodies the values of discipline, respect, and an open mind in his journey from a martial arts enthusiast to a master.