DAN TIMLIN'S BIOGRAPHY

The Legacy of Dan Timlin

Founder. Visionary. Martial Artist. Mentor.

Dan Timlin was born and raised in Lansing, Michigan, where his journey into the world of martial arts began at the young age of five. While accompanying his mother to her classes at Michigan State University, Dan would often peer into the IM building and watch judo and karate classes with wide-eyed wonder. Even then, something sparked in him—a calling that would define the rest of his life.

That spark caught fire when the television show The Green Hornet introduced the world to Bruce Lee as Kato. From that moment, Dan was captivated. He convinced his father to order a self-defense book advertised in a comic—Ketsugo Jiu Jitsu—and immediately began practicing on his younger brother in their basement. By age seven, Dan had already fallen in love with martial arts. His father, a Navy boxer, began teaching him how to box, and Dan embraced it with passion.

In junior high, Dan began formal training in Okinawan Shorin Ryu Karate under a dedicated instructor who recognized Dan’s extraordinary talent. Dan eventually earned a 5th-degree black belt in this art and continued to pursue multiple martial arts disciplines, always striving to grow in knowledge and ability. He was particularly drawn to Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do and devoured every book, article, and training method he could find—long before the age of YouTube or online tutorials. He trained with intensity and purpose, following in the footsteps of Lee and his successor, Dan Inosanto.

After graduating high school, Dan attended college while actively traveling and training in Martial Arts, primarily under the guidance of Guru Dan Inosanto.  After College Dan made a bold decision—to pursue martial arts as a full-time career. Though unconventional at the time, he was undeterred. He returned to his junior high school instructor, sought his blessing, and received wholehearted support to open his own school and train with Dan Inosanto. Dan had been his instructor’s pride and joy, the number one student.

In 1977, Dan met the woman who would become his partner in life and in purpose. I met Dan on Labor Day, and from the moment we came together, I knew I was meant to help him carry out his dream. After college, I joined him in building a school that was more than a dojo—it was a mission.

Dan worked tirelessly, seven days a week, creating systems that helped students learn faster and more effectively. He blended the core principles from all his arts into a unified program—something revolutionary at the time. At Dan Timlin’s Academy, students didn’t need to train in several different styles to become well-rounded—they could get it all under one roof.

But Dan's vision went beyond punches and kicks. He believed martial arts was about developing the whole person—physically, mentally, and spiritually. He was a scholar of philosophy, a deep thinker, and a constant student of life. With a high IQ and a gentle soul, Dan balanced intensity with compassion. He taught that martial arts is not just about defending against others—but also about mastering oneself.

Dan was especially passionate about reaching young people. He often said, “Children are the future of this country. They deserve the best of both worlds—powerful self-defense and a guiding philosophy to live by.”

Dan Timlin passed away on July 25, 2020. He is my husband, my best friend, the love of my life, and my soulmate. This nonprofit organization stands as one of the many ways I continue to honor his life, his work, and his unwavering belief in the power of martial arts to change lives.