BARRON SHEPHERD JUDO

I have written 5 books in the past two years to date, my first two books published in 2021 and 2022. My next three are slated to be released this year in 2024 and 2025. My first two books Real Combat Judo and Combat Judo to Kajukenbo sold out. My works have been lauded and endorsed by former Olympic Judo coaches and former judo Olympians, black belt instructors and champion black belt BJJ competitor's in Carlson Gracie Jiujitsu. This list also includes US military combatives experts, such as Dr. Mike Simpson, US Army Special Forces Maj. ret. and author of the book, "Honed" and Col. George Bristol USMC retired, developer of the US Marine Corp Martial arts Program (MCMAP) as well as other notable experts in the fields of judo, combatives, and exponents of BJJ to name a few.

Colonel G.H. Bristol USMC (retired) Creator and  Developer of the MCMAP , the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Art Program.

 Martial artist travel along a path. Some find the beginning of that path in a dojo and remain for a lifetime. Others have a shorter experience and move on to other endeavors. Some remain with one discipline for their entire length of the path. Others travel multiple paths and experiment with that of weapons, grappling, striking, and other aspects of the combative spectrum.

But a few exponents choose a different walk. They absorb multiple aspects of well-established disciplines and patiently – yet relentlessly – fuse them into their own unique personal fighting philosophy. Barron Shepherd is one of those martial artists. A lifetime journey of dedicated training, learning, absorbing, fusing, and teaching – and training again.

A man of considerable physical capability and capacity, a keen eye for technique, and a humble yet disciplined pursuit, he has walked a long winding road in JUDO and KAJUKENBO – first as a student and now as a teacher and advocate for both. Those who know him agree that he seeks to find the best within the training continuum and then pass it along to others for their benefit.

Talking with him regarding his latest book "Dynamic Kajukenbo", he is – as always – passionate, well-informed, and trains himself and others in what has become a lifetime of learning and DOING. As you read and see the in-depth technical and explosive application of a martial discipline that is at its core a FIGHTING art, you will better know the author.

I know him, so I will give you a thought as you begin to read. The author is a man who can execute – at a high and lethal level – every technique and application he describes. He is a lifelong learner and exponent. But more importantly, he is a man who – to those he knows and trains – would answer the call to those oppressed of the beginner who desires to learn. That combination is at the heart of a fighting man with a pure love of what he does. - SEMPER FIDELIS! GH Bristol

Eddie Sebastia, IBJJF Competitor, 62-2 In competition. Purple Belt World Champion, Brown Belt World Champion, Black Belt Pan American Champion, 2023 IBJJF No-Gi World Champion

I have been doing some form of grappling for over 40 years. I started wrestling as a young teenager. I went on to Judo in my later years. After years in this sport, I pursued BJJ. I have achieved the level of a 2-stripe Black Belt. BJJ is where I became a 2 times Masters IBJJF World Champion and 2 times Pan Am Champion and 2023 Masters IBJJF  No-Gi World Champion.

I met Barron after a BJJ tournament in 2022, he was teaching Judo at one of our Carlson Gracie schools. I have been working one on one with Barron, both of us trading knowledge of the different aspects of our particular styles, BJJ and Judo. 

When it comes to judo, I appreciate Barron’s style of teaching, not only with the specific drills that he utilizes to supplement and reinforce his judo techniques, but his overall approach of how to properly execute the techniques. 

One of the things that I especially like about Barron’s style of Judo is his approach to grip fighting and his one-handed style gripping attack. I have implemented this into my game. It has not only helped me with my stand up, but also with my ground game.

Dr. Rich Meagher

I have been doing martial arts for nearly 30 years, and I've never met anyone that can throw like Coach Barron Shepherd. Unlike traditional Judo stylists, Barron doesn't concern himself with complex grips or ideal timing. His focus is on getting the grip that matters and then delivering a ballistic throw. Coach Barron's explosive, dynamic style catches everyone off-guard, no matter if it's a sport or street context. His functional footwork is the Hallmark of his explosive throws. When most Judoka spend time looking at grips, they should be spending time looking at Barron's feet.

Coach Barron is the sole reason I am able to execute Judo throws in a modern, combative situation. The Combat Judo curriculum is an excellent way to introduce students to throws and how to hit them in real altercations. Anyone who can develop at least half of Coach Barron's ballistic, threatening style of Judo, is a force to be reckoned with.

 Rick Brumby, 6th black Kenpo (Paul Mills)

Within the world of Street, Military, or LEO Combatives, having real hands on experience is the link to not only knowing HOW to throw a punch, but understanding ALL the ramifications of give and take in combat that takes place when violence becomes the final answer.  Coach Barron Shepard has that “hands on” experience and it shows in the presentation of the material in his new book on Kajukenbo, “Dynamic Kajukenbo”. If you haven't read or purchased Coach Barron's books, you are missing a KEY link between striking and throwing.

Coach Barron Shepherd excels in the transitional! His book, “Dynamic Kajukenbo” provides a more comprehensive link between Entry, Striking, and Transitioning into Throws and takedowns. It provides all the elements of the link between presentation/out of contact, contact, contact penetration, and contact manipulation to include throwing and groundwork. Anytime you are not where your opponent expected you to be, you’ve broken the opponent’s ability to observe, orient, decide, and act. By the time they re-orient, it’s too late, you’ve thrown your strikes, locked in your throw and finished the fight! 

Lauren Meece, 2000 Olympian, Coach, Scouter and Trainer US National Champion Pan Am Games Bronze Medalist 9th place finish – World Championships

Carlson Gracie Winter Haven’s openness to judo is primarily due to Barron Shepherd’s passion to ensure judo is adapted and utilized for their BJJ students. I have traveled all over Central Florida, and while most BJJ and MMA locations seem to discredit judo, (and the overall effectiveness of adapting judo gripping strategies), Barron and his team at Carlson Gracie are the minority that truly understand the value of what judo can bring. 

There are many common misconceptions about the effectiveness of judo, however, it is eye opening to see individuals like Barron and his Carlson Gracie Team continue the legacy of judo and display its relevancy in the world of martial arts. 

Thank you to Barron and Carlson Gracie Winter Haven for ensuring that judo lives on and adapts for the BJJ community to access as well. As judo and BJJ evolves, I see minorities like this becoming pioneers not only in BJJ and judo, but in the overall spectrum of mixed martial arts. 

 

Andrew Kinchen, owner/Head Instructor Carlson Gracie Winter Haven. Instructor Carlson Gracie South Lakeland. Instructor Carlson Gracie Lakeland

Andrew Kinchen and Carlson Gracie Jr. 

Judo has many styles and variations in its application but none are as progressive as Barron Shepherd Judo. 

I first came across Coach Barron Shepherd around 2016. A training partner of mine, Brian Bradway was attending Barron’s Friday Night open mat sessions at the City of Winter Havens chain of lakes complex. At that time, I was a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and just looking to add some tools into my game. I was immediately taken by Barron’s willingness to cater his curriculum to what we were looking for. He narrowed down a combination of throws that would work well in the BJJ arena. I would go on to drop in on his Friday Night classes to continue learning Judo from him. As the years went on and Covid came into our world, the Judo program was shut down by the city. 

After becoming a black belt in BJJ under Rafa Santos I again sought out to continue my learning. I reached out to Barron to bring his style of judo within the walls of Carlson Gracie Winter Haven. The biggest take was Barron’s high-level attack-oriented game.

I’ve proudly trained under Barron for the better part of 7 years. Learning to aggressively grip, the dynamic entries and his unique one handed style of Judo has added many new options and facets to my game. Being able to play very quick allowed the BJJ players in our gym to continue our attacking style openings to dictate the pace and position of fights. I’ve been able to add to my personal game; I actively compete and the confidence has helped tremendously. I’ve implemented several throws and variations into my existing game helping give me an advantage on the competition scene. As we evolved with Barron and implemented a one-handed style gripping and attacking many of our guys have evolved into having a well-rounded stand up arsenal to complement our ground game.

Edward Coleman, Brown Belt - Judo 

Sensei Barron’s Judo program is the most dynamic and explosive Judo training I have experienced. His boxing style approach to grip fighting and progressive gripping strategies to Judo, gives a very powerful advantage for grapplers of any system.

In just a short time of training with Sensei Barron, my outlook on grappling strategies and throwing mechanics have changed significantly and has increased my effectiveness in Judo. Sensei Barron’s ease in teaching and personable approach to his students, makes learning from him very engaging and enjoyable.

Derek Walker Brown belt Carlson Gracie Jiujitsu, Coach and Competitor

An explosive showing of precision and power, Barron Shepherd's style of Judo is dynamic and is always moving forward. My name is Derek Walker, I am a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Practitioner for thirteen years. 

I met Coach Barron more than a year ago when he joined our Jiu-Jitsu team. Spending time with Barron it is immediately clear he is an experienced Judoka. He is scrupulous in his technique and is dedicated to preserve the dignity and spirit of Judo, something he has dedicated his life to.

Even after the very first lesson Coach Barron taught us, it became clear that his teachings were not classical but very evolved to deal with real life issues. With the popularity of Jiu-Jitsu along with all combat sports, people have become more knowledgeable. Everybody knows throws exist and certainly do not want to walk into them willingly, enter the one-handed style. When Coach Barron grabs your kimono it is with the speed, precision and force. What sets Coach Barron apart from other Judo players I have trained with is when he achieves his first grip the throw immediately begins.

Before Barron trained with us, a single grip on my kimono was bad, but not catastrophic. I did not feel threatened until my opponent achieved BOTH grips. Then like most people, I become hyper defensive, like I can imagine myself being thrown through the air at any second. Coach Barron’s ability to punch in his grip, achieve an off balance and quickly begin his attacks is something practical. It has become an amazing opener in my game. If your opponent is standing in-front of you Coach Barron brings multiple tools to get the job done. A constant onslaught of technique, changing direction one after another will ensure a fundamentally solid stand up game, almost all including just one hand. 

I will say even in a short time practicing these techniques, I have added multiple layers to my game and made them my own. To the gripping style to techniques from classic trips to modern throws. There is something for everyone to add to their arsenal.

JACK STERN - The Great Pretender

JACK STERN, THE GREAT PRETENDER: The biggest fake to ever invade the martial arts community

Taekwondo Reporter - Ernie Lopez

December, 1996

Jack Stern, a 67-year old, retired bread-truck driver, wept uncontrollably throughout his sentencing hearing. The Law finally caught up with Jackie Albert Stern. He has pleaded guilty and has been sentenced. The sporadic articles confirming Stern’s guilty plea culminated in a three day media frenzy in South Florida over his sentencing. He finally obtained the exposure and recognition through media coverage that he so ardently sought with his lies and made up past.

What we knew at the beginning of 1996

Jackie Stern, was a Congressional Medal of Honor winner and Prisoner of War in Korea. He bravely escaped after hiding himself among corpses during a forced march, where he received a large wound to his abdomen from the bayonet of a North Korean soldier and did not even emit a sound to avoid detection. He did not feel he had done enough to serve his country, and he stayed in the armed forces and served with Air America and with the CIA. Through all the years he spent in the armed forces in the Far East, he spent every minute of his free time studying martial arts with the great masters. That is why his judo & jiu jitsu were better than the people that studied in this country – he had studied at the birth place of these martial arts. 

After Stern retired from the armed forces he went back to New York City and became a policeman. He retired as a decorated detective from an elite unit. He had been in Judo over 50 years. His son had won an Olympic gold medal in Judo. He headed a Jiu Jitsu system he had inherited and the respected Korean Yudo Association. Even Time Magazine had honored him by putting him on their front cover. Because of his war record most martial arts magazines had featured him and several halls of fame had inducted him. WOW what a resume!

What we know at the end of 1996

Jack Stern pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court in Fort Lauderdale to wearing a Congressional Medal of Honor without authorization and altering his military discharge papers to fraudulently obtain State of Florida tags issued exclusively to Purple Heart recipients. Stern never served in combat. He made up the story that he had been a Korean Prisoner of War. In fact, the story he related as to how he escaped comes from a movie – just like the story that he cut the ears off the dead North Korean soldiers and hung them around his neck. Rather difficult feat to accomplish considering the fact that according to the Broward Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Danny Ciacciarelli, “Stern never set foot in a continent where blood was shed”. 

If Stern was never in the armed forces in the Far East, it becomes obvious that the stories of training with the great masters of the Far East is just one more lie. Stern never trained in martial arts overseas. In sounds kind of redundant to say he was never in the CIA and never served with Air America.

So we know now that he was not a Medal of Honor winner or a Prisoner of War. He was not in the CIA, and he did not train with the great masters of the Far East. Stern was never a New York City detective as he claims. It’s anyone’s guess how he got the New York Police badge he kept flaunting around. It is our understanding that in New York there is a jail sentence attached to this offense. Stern was a bread truck driver. There is nothing wrong with being a bread truck driver – its an honorable profession, far more honorable than what Mr. Stern actions have been for the last few years.

There is no data to substantiate Mr. Stern’s 50 years in Judo. However, someone that had the certificate in Japanese translated, (which Mr. Stern claims names him as inheritor of a Jiu Jitsu system) states that all the certificate says is that Stern is authorized to teach that system in South Florida.

The lie about his son being a Judo Olympic gold medalist was a source of amusement to most people he told it to. In the first place anyone that has been active in Judo through the years knows the names of their medalist. The people not in judo were also amused when Stern proudly stated that his son won the gold medal in the 1987 Olympics. This one was difficult to swallow, especially by Taekwondo people that remember 1988 as the year taekwondo was included in the Olympic Games in Korea as a demonstration sport. There were no Olympics in 1987.

As has been reported in the local newspapers Stern’s picture on the front cover of Times magazine was nothing more than one of those gags that can be bought in an amusement park.

Fake Martial arts claims and defrauding his own Martial arts students

Jack Stern lied his way into a martial arts school in the Weston area, a suburb of Fort Lauderdale. Having the legitimacy of being an instructor in a martial arts school, Stern proceeded to call all the martial arts hall’s of fame. His Medal of Honor claim was one that the halls of fame could not resist and in 1995 he was inducted into all the places that he bothered to chase. He did not have any martial arts achievements. It was just his claim of the medal of honor that the halls of fame reacted too.

The cruelest hoax was the one he perpetuated on his own students. While teaching in the Weston school, he charged everyone for membership in the Korean Yudo Association, who issued rank certificates. This turns out to be an nonexistent organization in the State of Florida. It has no corporation papers, no D.B.A. records, no bank account and has filed no tax returns. Certificates were worthless – just as the similar promotion certificates he supposedly got from Korea are worthless.

What Mr. Stern had hanging on the wall in early 1996 pertaining to his rank were two certificates. One for 6th Dan issued by the nonexistent Korean Yudo Association, signed by himself, dated 1995. The other one supposedly came from Korea in the same year for 7th Dan. Basically Mr. Stern’s claim to rank based on those two certificates is worthless.

It does not matter whether he is a hustler or he is mentally ill. The fact is that he is a FAKE. A Grandmaster only among fakes. A figment of his own imagination. A legend only in his own mind. Yet he had the gall to look down on and speak ill of every martial artist he ever met. It was like he was validating himself by degrading everyone else. 

The media frenzy has been over Jackie the fake Medal of Honor winner. It should have been extended to include Jackie the fake martial artist. It appears that Stern may have also committed fraud in his involvement in the martial arts – a crime for which he still has not had to face a judge.

Some martial artist are talking about causing charges to be brought against Stern for fraud if he continues with his martial arts claims. Although newspaper articles and people present at the sentencing say that Stern apologized to everyone military, police and martial artists. Other evidence indicates that Stern may still try to pass himself as a martial artist of prominence.

Halls of fame are already expelling him, without the claim to the medal he has no martial arts accomplishment to qualify him for membership. However there are still misguided souls – like the owner of the karate school where Stern was teaching, who appears in the local press to be avidly defending Mr. Stern describing the incident as something that happened in the past, but not something that detracts from him as a martial artist.

I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the basic premise of the martial arts is based on honesty, integrity, character, decency, forthrightness, nobility, credibility. It has become obvious that Mr. Stern does not possess these qualities, therefore, he has no business in the martial arts, he has no business teaching children.

As part of the hoax that Stern perpetuated on the martial arts community, in his unquenchable thirst for publicity, Stern arranged for his picture to appear in a set of collectors cards meant to showcase martial artists with real credentials and life achievements. He identified the basis of his claim to fame to having been trained in Korea, Japan, Philippines and England.

According to Sgt. Danny Ciacciarelli from the Broward Sheriff’s Office that Mr. Stern never set foot in a continent where blood was shed. His other claim to fame was his induction into the prestigious Soke Council. The information that we have is, that the Soke Council had bought into the legitimacy of Stern’s claim to the Congressional Medal of Honor (a medal that through his own admission he bought in a New Jersey flea market), has now removed Stern’s name from their membership. Mr. Stern with his lies and forgeries desecrated the life achievements of the martial artists depicted in those cards and the ones inducted into the Soke Council. 

https://web.archive.org/web/20020905024453/http://www.ohiotkd.net/taekwondoreporter/page5.htm 

https://web.archive.org/web/19980111163908/http://www.taekwondoreporter.com/page5.htm#Jack%20Stern%20-%20The%20Great%20Pretender

https://web.archive.org/web/20130428150047/http://womamartialarts.com/our-founder-jack-stern

JACK ALBERT STERN THE MAN WHO LIED, WORE MEDAL WRITES LETTER OF APOLOGY

Orlando Sentinel

May 26, 1997

FORT LAUDERDALE — A man who falsely claimed for years that he had won the Medal of Honor published a letter Monday apologizing for his “pitiful” behavior.

Jackie Stern of Bonaventure was found guilty in September of wearing the medal, the highest U.S military decoration, without authorization. Part of his sentence was to publish an apology on Memorial Day.

“My pitiful attempt and selfish quest for family recognition has tarnished the dignity of all the brave men and women on whom this medal was legitimately bestowed,” he said in the letter, which appeared in a newspaper.

Stern, who served in the Army during the Korean War but never saw combat, bought the medal at a New Jersey flea market. He became a well-known figure in his community, regaling listeners with tales of how he was wounded in action.

The U.S. District Court also ordered Stern to write a personal letter of apology to all 169 living recipients of the Medal of Honor and volunteer for 250 hours in a Veterans Administration Hospital as part of his punishment.

U.S. NEWS Article December 4th, 1996