About Us — MUAY THAI FOR WARRIORS

Imagine being 17 years old, leaving all your family, friends, and everything you know to go join the Military unsure about the possibility of going to war and the memories after returning home.

Imagine being a Law Enforcement Officer and most of the calls to respond to involve a negative outcome, such as a DUI, domestic abuse, theft, or violence.

Imagine being a Firefighter and being called to respond to a house with a deceased body in it for days; or a deadly car crash with teenagers involved.

Our Veterans, Law Enforcement, and Firefighters selflessly defend and respond within our communities. Often, a career of filled with these images and responses can take an emotional shift in their mental health.

Muay Thai for Warriors is here to say THANK YOU, build COMMUNITY, and instill PURPOSE for our Warriors!

Our Board

MICHAEL GUMB
President

Michael enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserves in 2002. He was commissioned on Active Duty as an Officer in 2005. He served two combat tours in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Fallujah and Ramadi, Iraq, and transferred back into the Marine Corps Reserves in 2013. He served for the U.S. State Department in the Diplomatic Security Service, High Threat Programs. Michael discovered Jax Muay Thai in 2016, and found that JMT embodies the same principles and traditions that he values in the Marine Corps. He is passionate about supporting fellow Veterans, Law Enforcement, and their families.

JAYME RENNER
Director of Operations

Originally from Fort Myers, Jayme has a background in Law Enforcement. Upon moving to Jacksonville, she served her community in healthcare at a nonprofit hospital. As Director of Operations, she advocates for continuing physical training for law enforcement and works to promote our organization’s community involvement. With a strong family background of military service members, she is excited to teach her young daughter the possibilities for women in law enforcement, military service, and martial arts. Since joining Muay Thai For Warriors as our first Law Enforcement Officer, she has witnessed firsthand the positive impact our program has had on the mental and physical health of both Veterans and the Law Enforcement community.

JONATHAN TOKE
Director

Born in Montréal, Jonathan served in the Governor General’s Footguards (Canadian Reserves) before moving to the U.S. in 1995 and becoming a U.S. citizen in the mid-2000s. He currently leads Asian operations for global construction firm Haskell, bringing multicultural business experience to the MTW team. Jonathan is dedicated to sharing the positive energy of Muay Thai with Veterans and Law Enforcement as they sacrifice so much on our behalf. When not traveling to design projects far and wide, he’s at home practicing Muay Thai, a part of the JMT family since 2018.

RICARDO CORTES
Director

RICARDO CORTES
Kru Muay Neung Khan
Level 1 Instructor
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

Ricardo is the 2018 TBA World Classic Expo Heavyweight Novice Division. At JMT he specializes in All Levels and Advanced Muay Thai classes. Ricardo has 13 years of experience in Muay Thai and 10 years of coaching/instructor experience. He earned his Khru certification under Ajarn Chai of the TBA in 2015.

JARED TAYLOR
Director

Jared served in the Air Force as TACP in Afghanistan. He is currently a Psychology and Philosophy student at Jacksonville University. Jared is passionate about helping individuals reconnect with their bodies and minds, and guiding them toward the path to inner-peace and self-knowledge.

RUFF
Director

TINNON FROEHLICH
Director of Community Relations

Tinnon is proud to have served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy as a protocol officer. That’s how she met former Top Gun pilot Mark, with whom she has been very happily married for 31 years. This mother of three young adults is a REALTOR with Linda Strickland Realty and most loves helping area Military families and Veterans find new or first homes. A longtime Jacksonville resident, Tinnon is a devoted Catholic and a strong believer in the benefits Muay Thai for Warriors offers active duty Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement Officers.

JOHN RENNER
Director

Originally from Fort Myers, John honorably served in the United States Marine Corps from 2006 to 2010. John was one of our first members, and the first Military Veteran to join Muay Thai For Warriors. As a professional fitness coach and a dad, John has a strong passion for helping others achieve their goals through improving their health. He believes that the art of Muay Thai and its sense of community provide positive benefits in helping Veterans and Law Enforcement Officers achieve their own goals. He is excited to apply his leadership skills and fitness expertise in growing Muay Thai For Warriors.

JAMES FUQUA
Director

James is the owner of A1A Overhead Door Company in Jacksonville. He works alongside many family-owned businesses throughout Jacksonville and the surrounding area. The son of a retired senior master chief, USN, Jimmy enjoys Muay Thai and boxing at JMT. He lives in Neptune Beach with his wife, two daughters and four dogs.

JORDAN PRESTWOOD
Director

Jordan is a strong supporter of Military and Law Enforcement with many friends and family members involved with both. He is passionate about health and wellness and fell in love with Muay Thai for its physical and mental benefits. Jordan is excited to help Muay Thai For Warriors grow to make a significant impact on the lives of those who have served.

Our Instructors

GILES WILEY
Program Director

GILES WILEY
Khanomtom Khru Muay Sarm Khan
Level 3 Instructor
Head Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

Giles has more than 30 years experience in training and teaching martial arts. He was the 2019 IFMA World Championships Bangkok Head Coach for Team USVI. A USMTA judge, he is a former South African champion and internationally experienced amateur fighter. Giles has a BSc Honors, Exercise Physiology and Nutrition, and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and Personal Trainer. He is the author of the book “5-Minute Flexibility.”

RUFF
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

RICARDO CORTES
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

RICARDO CORTES
Kru Muay Neung Khan
Level 1 Instructor
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

ZACH IGNACIO
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

ZACH IGNACIO
Kru Muay Neung Khan
Level 1 Instructor
Trainer, Jacksonville Muay Thai

A 1st Degree Black Belt in Taekwon-Do, Zach began martial arts at age 10 and Muay Thai at age 16. He has more than 12 years of experience competing in martial arts. Zach is very experienced in gymnastics, acrobatics, strength and flexibility training. He loves that Muay Thai is simple yet powerful, and he is dedicated to its cultural elements that emphasize tradition, humility and respect. Zach is a Physical Therapy student who is passionate about human movement and helping others achieve their goals.