Paradigm Shift Martial Arts Studio

Owner and head-instructor has a huge ego and is violently unstable. He is not a suitable teacher/role model for children and puts his students safety at risk as a matter of pride and vanity. I was a student at this facility for approximately six months in 2014 until Shaun refused to shake my hand and threatened to "knock me out" after a rolling session. Why? Like many BJJ beginners I, not having mastered the principles of leverage, position, and timing, would often rely on brute strength to try and wrestle my way out of various positions. Experienced BJJ practitioners understand that this approach is a highly inefficient but common tactic among inexperienced lower belts. How did this reliance on brute strength lead the owner and head instructor of this establishment to violate the ethics of his position as a teacher and threaten to physically harm a student? Simple: he told the class to play a game and try and wrestle their opponent into touching a ball placed in the center of the mat. When it was my turn to pair up against him I gave one-hundred percent - as always - and, despite Shaun's efforts to the contrary made him touch the ball. In front of his entire class of students. *gasp* Cue Shaun's fragile self-esteem coming into play. He immediately demanded another round soundly defeated me - as per usual - and then proceeded to publicly attempt to humiliate, mock, and intimidate me by refusing to shake my hand and telling me next time he would "knock me out." His reasoning? I "could have hurt someone." Nevermind that it's his literal professional responsibility to intervene and rationally/maturely idenitfy/correct behaviors he thinks are inappropriate or potentially harmful to students or their peers. Nevermind that in six months of giving one-hundred percent in each and every class he had not once so much as hinted that I was doing anything wrong much less placed anyones physical safety at risk and had, in reality, repeatedly praised the energy and "edge" I brought to my rolls. Nevermind that he is in the role of intructor, teacher, mentor, etc. No, Shaun - who has the walls of the dojo lined with highly edited pictures of himself in ridiculous poses he no doubt thinks makes him look edgy, tough, mysterious, etc., who wants nothing more than for you to let him listen to the sound of his voice as he asserts a never-ending stream of pseudo-intellectual drivel about energy, peace, namaste, etc. - got his feelings hurt because a younger stronger male was able to 'overcome' thirty years of his training for a couple seconds and make him touch a leather ball. So Shaun decided violence, rage, bullying, and gaslighting (he later tried to tell me that I was doing the exercise incorrectly because he meant that students should only use "BJJ techniques" to get their opponent to touch the ball. As if simply 'pushing' someone is somehow outside the realm of BJJ. As if a six-month white belt has some repertoire of hidden knowledge with which to magically levitate a human off the ground and six feet in another direction while they actively resist) would be the appropriate course of action. Shaun decided to prove that neither you or your children are safe around him. He decided to utterly violate the teacher-student relationship and exercised a position of power to mentally, emotionally, and physically intimidate someone looking to him for guidance and leadership. Students should never have to worry that making a mistake will lead to physical harm and public ridicule. Students should never feel unsafe around the very person teaching them to defend themselves. It was two years before I went back to BJJ and now I specifcally ask my instructors if there's a particular circumstance under which they'll threaten to harm me. I don't want any aspiring BJJ practitioner to ever have to experience that. Patronize this establishment at your own risk.

As a Martial Artist and gym owner myself I have had the opportunity to train with Shaun on various levels and I personally have had a very enjoyable experience training with him as it is always a pleasure and a great Honor to train with a individual/instructor that TRULY cares about people and his students who wants them to learn and truly progress in all aspects of their Martial Arts endeavours. Shaun is truly a rare gem in the world of commercial dojos/gyms and its truly refreshing as he approaches teaching from a spiritual zen perspective yet in a very technical way in which one can fully understand and learn. He has developed a great training environment and platform/system to learn... Whether you are looking into training in Gracie Ju Jitsu (BJJ) . Filipino Martial Arts or Jeet June Do (Bruce Lee's System of Jun Fan Kung Fu) . Shaun has a unique approach with a traditional mindset. I HIGHLY recommend Shaun and his Facility to anyone who is looking for a small intimate gym and that doesn't want to be treated like a number like most other commercial combat sport or McDojos. There is a place for those type of gyms however if YOU are the type that wants to truly learn the arts I would highly recommend Paradigm Shift as your destination you will NOT be disappointed.

Paradigm Shift is a very unique and pleasant place to train and exchange ideas and concepts of martial arts especially in the art of eskrima. Shaun is an excellent instructor and his approach to teaching and helping people develop their skills is very thoughtful, inspirational and practical. He is a generous soul and instills confidence, respect and honor to all his students. If you want to experience martial arts on another level and increase your awareness in life you should take the Paradigm Shift...

First off I'd like to say, we all share different experiences and encounters with people. To live in a part of the world where expression is validated through healthy exchange. My first impression of Shaun was positive and extremely warm. His understanding of the energy in a room, to his discipline with his students, breaking all boundaries of traditional and in some cases outdated teachings, being adaptable to all his students needs, to grasping the arts is outstanding. This is a safe place to learn understand and have healthy exchange, mentally and physically. Your commitment and efforts are truly appreciated. Thank you

Paradigm Shift in Steveston is a gift to the community! Shaun has amazing energy and a positive attitude towards life. Our kids have been training with Shaun at Paradigm for over 6 years. If I remember correctly our youngest started at age 6 and is now 12. Both our kids have really enjoyed Shaun’s teaching style and the playful attitude that he brings to each training session. What I really like as a parent is his organic approach in his teaching style. He finds what works best for each student while they learn discipline and patience at the same time they are learning and growing into each technique and movement. Shaun is extremely talented and has a wonderful way of connecting with each student, allowing them to experience his teaching methods in a safe and loving environment. I have also noticed over the years a few parents becoming students themselves, which is nice to see. I enjoy watching how the studio has grown and evolved over the years. Keep spreading your contagious energy for life! Peace and Love.

I had to do another review to express my deepest gratitude in terms of learning and training with Shaun. For many years I have stopped training in Brazilian Ju Jitsu because ALOT of the gyms in the lower mainland taught more of a competitive style not to say that isn't good but it wasn't my cup of tea... As a martial arts instructor myself I wanted to learn the true Gracie Style which was always a self defense system first and a sport much later and focusing on the pure form in technique I wanted to learn the original and traditional self defense system and Shaun is a Fantastic instructor in this regard. For those who wish to train in a technical..traditional and non competitive environment I would HIGHLY recommend his gym for that!