Nokado Jiu Jitsu Centers Instructors

Shihan John Olshlager
Chief Instructor

Shihan John Olshlager is the head instructor and founder of the Nokado Schools of Self Defense. He has been training in the martial art of Jiu-Jitsu for the past 29 years. He began his training in June of 1971 under the tutelage of Shihan Robert Hansen. After training for 13 years, Shihan Olshlager traveled extensively to train with the best martial arts instructors in the United States. He has had the privilege of training with master instructors Professor Wally Jay, Soke Michael DePasquale Sr., Shihan Dennis Palumbo, Professor Willy Cahill and Shihan DePasquale Jr. After experiencing many styles of Martial Arts, he found that, while all styles have some valuable philosophy and techniques, Jiu-Jitsu was the art that suited him the best.

Seeking the traditional roots of the Martial Arts, Shihan Olshlager has also traveled to Japan several times to train and see the original birthplace of Jiu-Jitsu. In Japan, Shihan trained with Grandmaster Shoto Tanemura. Tanemura Sensei granted Shihan Olshlager a sixth degree black belt in Kokusai Ju Jutsu Renmei Do, a traditional form of Japanese Jiu-Jitsu.

He currently holds the rank of shichi dan, or 7th degree black belt, in Jiu-Jitsu. Shihan was promoted to this rank by Professor Wally Jay, Soke Michael DePasquale Sr., Professor Willy Cahill and Shihan DePasquale Jr.

After almost 30 years of training, Shihan Olshlager has developed a self defense system that is traditional yet very street practical. In the style of Jiu Jitsu, there are no excess movements or wasted energy. The student is faced with an attack and they respond to it in the quickest and most efficient method possible. Each technique, although dangerous to use, is practiced with extreme caution and ultimate respect towards your partner in the dojo. Shihan feels that respect is the most important aspect of training in the Martial Arts. You begin and end your training with respect.

Shihan Olshlager has developed, implemented and taught self-defense seminars and workshops throughout the Long Island and tri-state area. He has developed curriculums for the young and old, men, women and children. His "Look, Listen, Feel and React, Awareness is your best defense" is a highly respected model for women’s and men’s self defense clinics.

Shihan Olshlager was inducted into the World Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Jiu Jitsu Instructor of the year in 1991, and inducted into the Connececticut Martial Arts Hall of Fame as Master Instructor in 1998. He is a recognized tournament champion in self-defense. He has had articles on traditional and street effective Jiu Jitsu published in all of the leading martial arts publications. He has been interviewed for radio on the power of the mind and the martial arts. He has also been in several TV shows including the Martial Art of Jiu- Jitsu.

Shihan Olshlager professes the following philosophies...

"Training is endless"

"When one grows we all grow"

"To touch the hand of a Master is to change a life forever"

Shihan Olshlager feels that, regardless of experience, he is a life-long student of the Martial Arts. He continues to train daily, seeking both the truth of the martial arts and the serenity they offer. He will continue to share his knowledge and energy to whomever is willing to accept it.

Sensei Seamus O’Brien
Head Instructor

Sensei Seamus O’Brien is a third degree black belt and the head instructor of the Nokado School of Self Defense in Commack, NY. He began his training in 1983, at the age of five, under the tutelage of Shihan John Olshlager. In December of 1989, Sensei O'Brien became the first junior black belt in Jiu-Jitsu on Long Island. He attained the rank of San Dan (third degree black belt) in September of 1997 and began teaching as head instructor of the newly opened Commack Nokado dojo.

Sensei O'Brien accomplishments are many. He was the martial arts instructor for the children's cast of the ABC sitcom "Soulman". For years, he consistently took first place in the self defense divisions of many local tournaments. He is now becoming well known as a judge at those same events. Sensei O'Brien was a five year starter in Varsity wrestling in high school. Today, he uses those same ground skills to both teach and compete in the art of grappling.

Sensei O'Brien has been involved in children's awareness seminars, women's safety seminars and executive self-defense seminars for local corporations such as Nikon. In conjunction with the Nokado School of Self Defense, he has run after-school self defense programs, Jiu-Jitsu camps for children during the summer, and has done demonstrations on practical self defense for the community.

At his school, Sensei O'Brien likes to maintain a traditional atmosphere, but focus on self-defense techniques that work in real life situations. He believes the training experience should resemble real-life as closely as possible, yet be safe and injury free at all times.

The philosophy that "Training is Endless" is well founded in the heart of this young instructor as well as his own philosophy of "Training hard to improve is essential."