GoldenEagleShotokan

Sensei Mike Sullivan

Sensei Mike Sullivan began his Martial Arts Journey in 1978 with a couple of years studying Tae Kwan Do at a local recreation center in Aurora Colorado. After dabbling in some Judo and Tai Chi over the years he began the study of Shotokan Karate under Kyoshi Justin Butler in 1993. Mike Sensei started classes with his youngest daughter as something they could do together. Mikes youngest daughter really wanted to learn Karate. After a couple of years she discovered that boys, friends and school “stuff” were a lot more fun than Karate. Mike however had discovered a hidden desire long buried and now awakened. What Mike discovered was true martial arts was not an easy thing to learn, and as a matter of fact was very humbling for a pretty good athlete. Being too stubborn to quit, Mike stayed on with Sensei Butler. The excuse was he needed the exercise; the reality was a love affair with the art of Shotokan had been started.

After stalling as long as Kyoshi Butler would allow he earned his Shodan (first degree) Black Belt in 2003. Mike became a member of the International San Ten Karate and San Ten Martial Arts Association in 2002. He was awarded his Instructor Certifications in 2004, with national certification in 2007. He was awarded the title “Sensei” by the Fraternal order of Black Dragons in 2007

Mike Sensei is now a Sandan (third degree) black belt in Shotokan Karate and a Shodan in Ougon no washi San Ten Jujitsu. Mike has helped teach and has instructed classes for the Golden Eagle Shotokan Club for over 8 years now. The love affair with the martial arts is not over, and grew so strong to pass the art to others that Mike has joined with Justin Sensei in running part of the Golden Eagle Shotokan Club.

Mike has not lost interest in Tai Chi and has begun to pursue this ancient art in earnest. He also continues to travel to various seminars and training with Kyoshi Butler to better serve the art of Karate, Jujitsu and their students. One of Mike Sensei’s mentors told him when he earned his black belt “now you can begin to learn” this has now become a lifetime mission.