Tag Archives: martial arts

Swordsmanship Museum and Academy offers high-intensity combat, historical education, community building

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By Jaylah Lewis, WKTV Intern
Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor
greer@wktv.org



Jerry Berg’s passion for sword fighting didn’t arrive until his college days, but it has now exploded into more than a passion.

“Very simply put, I have my education and degree in public school teaching and I wanted to teach more freely, more interactively, more movement based and for whatever reason this small aspect of my life of sword fighting grew into this massive section of what I live for,” Berg explained. 

“It has become one of the most successful, interesting and exciting ways to teach history and create an amazing community together.”



The Swordsmanship Museum and Academy offers everything from high-intensity combat to historical education. (WKTV, Jaylah Lewis)



Video games gave Berg a great curiosity about history

Berg said back in the days when many people thought video games caused violence, his experience with them caused a great curiosity about history that developed into a passion.

“My passion for history started in my youth,” said Berg, who has a bachelor of arts degree with a double major in history and education from GVSU. 

The Swordsmanship Museum and Academy locations. (WKTV Jaylah Lewis)

The Swordsmanship Museum and Academy officially launched in September of 2019. Berg is not only the owner, but also is actively involved as an instructor and guide. The main location is in Comstock Park, but there are satellites in Muskegon, Holland and Kalamazoo.

The Museum exists to spread knowledge, action and appreciation of human history through exhibits, events and classes, more specifically, the human history of Swordsmanship, i.e., the Revolutionary War, the Renaissance period, and much more. 




Jerry Berg, owner of the Swordsmanship Museum and Academy. (WKTV, Jaylah Lewis)



Museum attracts those who like fantasy, history and athleticism

The Museum attracts those who enjoy fantasy, history and athleticism uniquely, with classes starting at $80 and events that can be attended for free, such as public library events and Renaissance Faire at Mill Creek Days. It’s for anyone ages 11 and up.

Swordsmanship educator Natalie Budnick said the Museum teaches Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA).

“Everything we do comes from an old manuscript,” said Budnick, who has taught at the Museum for three years. “We study swordsmanship from primary sources … from the 1300s.”



Educator Natalie Budnick of the Swordsmanship Museum and Academy. (WKTV, Jaylah Lewis)



Something for everyone

Berg said there’s something for everyone in the community at the Museum; learning how to sword fight, high-intensity combat, casual fan-base building, or even learning, education and research.

“I want everyone to follow their own path and how the Museum can help them achieve their goals.”

Teen Swordsman Club

Swordsmanship client Jessica Carmody takes her son Charles to the Museum for a Teen Swordsman Club for ages 11-16 on Wednesday nights, taught by Budnick. 

The Carmody’s learned about the Museum at their local library, where Berg and Budnick often demonstrate and allow audience interaction to intrigue the public.   

“We wanted to get him involved in something active, he’s really into Dungeons and Dragons and other fantasy type stuff so this was right up his alley,” Jessica said. “I see him practicing with the other kids and using moves he’s learned in past classes and I’m really impressed.”  



The Swordsmanship Museum and Academy offers everything from high-intensity combat to historical education. (WKTV, Jaylah Lewis)



When asked about any negative connotations to participating, Jessica said the expenses can start to add up.

“Purchasing equipment such as padding can get a bit pricey, but they have lots of equipment here for him to use.”  

Some may believe that a child learning combat skills to this extent could be dangerous or cause violence, but Jessica said, “This is like any other martial arts class, karate class. These are not violent kids, in fact one of the things they teach is control and holding back your power.”

Not all about combat

And it’s not all just about participating in combat, but about the Museum teaching the history of swordsmanship as well.

“Recommend this to anyone who has a kid who would be interested”  

“Every now and then he grabs a book off the shelf and reads and learns about something history related,” said Jessica, who is pleased with the staff. “The staff here is great, Natalie is great; I’m very happy with the instruction Charles is receiving here. I would recommend this to anyone who has a kid who would be interested.”  



(WKTV Jaylah, Lewis)



Berg wants to see the Museum grow in the future.

“Specifically towards acquiring a plot of land where we would create a living history park or village,” he explained. “Not only would it be a great facility for families and schools to visit, but we could teach a wider variety of classes there.

“I would also like to see a larger Museum facility with permanent exhibits, possibly at a different location from the living history park.”   

For more information, or to sign up for classes and events, click here: Swordsmanship Museum and Academy or to keep up with the Swordsmanship community, check out their Facebook.

Battle Ground JKD invites community to free Fitness in the Park event June 26

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Battle Ground owner Reggie Macon leads a fitness class at a local park (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)


By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org


Local business, Battle Ground JKD LLC, is offering a free Fitness in the Park event on Wednesday, June 26 at Boston Square Community Parklet.

Reggie Macon (right) leads a a Battle Ground fitness event (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)

“I think it’s very important for us to be as active as possible,” said Reggie Macon, Founder and CEO of Battle Ground JKD. “The healthier we are, the better we are.”

From 10 a.m. – 12 p.m., participants can enjoy light fitness activities, learn self-defense skills and observe demonstrations from Battle Ground staff, teens and trained MMA fighters. A healthy snack and water will be provided for event attendees.

Fitness in the Park is free to attend and all ages are welcome.

Macon said the Fitness in the Park event is a way to give those interested in starting a fitness journey a safe, controlled environment to learn, have fun and bring families together.

“If [families] work out together, have fun together, you tend to create a habit a bit more than you would if you were by yourself,” said Macon.

A passion for helping others

Reggie Macon with daughters Leilani (left) and Kailani (Courtesy, Reggie Macon)

Macon trains often with his wife and three children. In fact, Macon’s passion for teaching martial arts and fitness began with his two daughters.

“One of the main reasons for starting in the martial arts world is having two daughters and wanting them to be safe because we’re not always around them as parents,” said Macon. “Giving them the knowledge and know-how to protect themselves to make it back home.”

Macon himself has over a decade of experience in Jeet Kune Do. He has also learned additional styles within the martial arts industry including: Kali, Savate, Panantukan and boxing.

“My purpose is to use my experience in fitness and martial arts to help people have a better quality of life,” says Macon on the Battle Ground website. “Sharing my love of training and teaching has been a blessing and a dream come true.”

A one-stop shop to fitness

Battle Ground offers a variety of classes and programs for all ages, and personalized experience to fit the needs of each individual.

Whether looking to get in shape, build self-discipline, defend against an attacker, or become the next boxer or MMA fighter, individuals can reach their goals through Battle Ground JKD.

“My goal with Battle Ground is I want to be a one-stop shop,” said Macon, adding that many fitness centers only specialize in one area of fitness. “It takes driving from place to place out of the picture.

“By offering options, having a passion for developing and helping a person become one percent better every day, and being blessed to have different talents and knowledge, I said, why not? If not me, then who?”

Impacting others through community programs

Macon is currently in the process of registering Battle Ground Impact, a nonprofit fitness organization. He hopes to offer even more options to the public through community events.

A local youth learns self-defense techniques with Reggie Macon (Courtesy, Deborah Reed)

“I want to take the whole concept of not having financial backing to do a class out of the picture,” said Macon, adding that finances are a large part of why people do not begin a fitness journey.

“If I can take that off the table, then that leaves no excuse for people starting a fitness journey – or anything else when it comes to being active.”

Macon also hopes the nonprofit will help open doors to partnerships with other organizations.

“People see the LLC and all of a sudden they think of price,” said Macon. “It’s not about that all the time.

“I’m different. I want to make sure everybody gets the quality, but I don’t want money to be an issue, or that they’re thinking I’m just there for the money. My whole passion is to make sure people are able to protect themselves.”

Look for Battle Ground Impact updates and launch information on the Battle Ground JKD website.

Bring family and friends! 

Macon encourages the community to try out Fitness in the Park – and to bring family and friends.

“Come out to have a good time – it’s going to be fun,” said Macon. “Bring family. It’s good for people to show up by themselves, but I want people to actually have someone there with them so they can go through it together.”

Local martial arts school, Battle Ground, offers self-defense classes for women and children

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A local youth learns self-defense techniques with Battle Ground owner Reggie Macon (Courtesy, Deborah Reed WKTV)

By Deborah Reed

WKTV Managing Editor

deborah@wktv.org

Reggie Macon, owner of Battle Ground JKD LLC, is focused on using his 17 years of personal training to help ensure women and children are safe.

Macon began training his two daughters in self-defense techniques when they were only four years old. He has since expanded to provide that same training to local women and children by founding his martial arts school, Battle Ground.

With countless self-defense and martial arts schools available to the public, Macon differentiates himself by being more hands-on than most.

“It’s not just technique and that’s it,” said Macon. “I teach how to read body language, situational awareness, how to create separation to escape in certain instances, and how to build confidence in oneself to know that just because I know how to fight doesn’t mean I have to. I can walk away confidently enough to know I won’t have to cause any harm.”

To find out more about Battle Ground and the classes they offer, visit their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram.