Instructors
Our Martial Arts and Boxing Instructors at Olson's Gym are qualified to teach all skill levels, from beginner to competitive athletes.
Sensei Nathan Olson (Shotokan Karate/Boxing/Kickboxing)
Rank: Sandan - Shotokan Karate
Qualifications: Level 3 certificate in boxing instruction
Memberships: FSKA, BC Boxing Association, Canadian Amateur Boxing Association
Nathan has been teaching and competing in martial arts for 23 years. He began practicing Karate at the age of 6, and by 10 was teaching other kids at Colwood Pee-Wee Karate. Over the years he has studied under various instructors including Sensei Lynden Bateson, Sensei Mike Puckett, Sensei Jim Beckett and Sensei Darcy Anderson. He received the rank of Sandan in 1999.
Nathan began boxing in 1994 and has since obtained certification in boxing instruction. In 2005, 2008 and 2009 he successfully trained three students of Olson’s Gym to become provincial boxing champions.
Allen Olson (Boxing)
Qualifications: Level 2 certificate in boxing instruction
Membership: BC Boxing Association and Canadian Amateur Boxing Association
Al opened Olsons’s Gym in 1986 where he taught Karate for kids and adults and ran an Amateur Boxing program. He currently teaches Basic and Superior boxing with Nathan, and runs the women’s only cardio boxing program three days a week at Olson’s Gym.
Sensei Peter Lindsay (Shotokan Karate)
Rank: Godan - FSKA; Shodan - Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan
Achievements: Former Masters Division Kata Champion FSKA World Championships
Memberships: Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association (1999), Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan (2001)
Peter began his study of Karate under Sensei Sam McGee (student of Kancho Hirokazu Kanazawa - Founder and Chief Instructor of the Shotokan Karate International Federation), at the Nanaimo Karate Club in 1978.
In 2004, he was awarded the rank of Godan by Shihan Kenneth Funakoshi, Founder and Chief Instructor of the Funakoshi Shotokan Karate Association. Peter was also awarded the rank of Shodan in 2007 by Sensei Hidemi Tamayose of the Ryukyu Kobudo Tesshinkan – an organization dedicated to the preservation of the ancient Okinawan art of Kobudo (weapons).
Ryan Taylor (Tae Kwon-do / Brazillian Jiu Jitsu)
Rank: Tae Kwon-Do Black Belt, Royce Gracie Purple Belt, Judo Brown Belt, Shotokan Karate Brown Belt
Memberships: Dragon Martial Arts Academy & Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu network, Judo BC (Shidokai/Kokushukai Dojos)
Ryan’s talents in martial arts span a variety of disciplines including Tae Kwon-do (TKD), Judo, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) and Shotokan Karate.
In 1983 he joined Kwon's Tae Kwon-Do in Port Alberni under the instruction of Master Warren Lee, and in 1993 received his Black Belt from Master Kwon in Victoria. After attending a Rodrigo Gracie seminar in 2006, Ryan was hooked on Gracie Jiu Jitsu and continues to train this discipline under Master Warren Lee, Rodrigo Gracie and Royce Gracie himself.
Rick LeBlanc (Tae Kwon-do / Brazillian Jiu Jitsu)
Rank: Tae Kwon-Do 2nd Dan Black Belt, Royce Gracie Purple Belt
Memberships: Dragon Martial Arts Academy & Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu network
