Dr. John Williams leaves no one behind, when he achieves his goals, he ensures others rise to success with him. John is titled Top Martial Arts Expert to look out for, he is also an Entrepreneur, Founder, Executive Director of Come on In, Inc. Pageant, Author, TV Show Host, and Humanitarian. He is the youngest of 14 children, John comes from a broken home in which his father had a third-grade education, and his mother had an eighth-grade education. Dr. Williams grew up in a house with alcoholism, constant fighting, molestation, and the belittling of constantly being told that he would never be anything and being raised by his oldest sister Mackie Le Varnado until age 9..
Dr. Williams failed the seventh grade three times, always having D’s and F’s and having difficulty reading and writing. But one day, Mrs. Etter Mae Robinson told John that he was smart, and he could be anything in life that he wanted to be. That was when Dr. Williams made a tremendous change in his life. With the improvement of his self-confidence and self-worth, Dr. Williams graduated with the Class of 1986.
Upon graduation, he received two scholarships. Dr. Williams was the first of his 14 siblings to finish high school and attend college. He joined the United States Army in December of 1988 and received many awards over the ten years in which he served—and still furthering his education after the military. His awards list is too long to list. He is the epitome of success. The list of awards, educational certifications, and degrees are very distinguished.
Dr. John Williams was a featured speaker and awarded Person of the Year at the Encounter Africa Conference on May 25th, 2018, in Ife, Nigeria, at Obafemi University. As seen on TV, John also graced the CNN Anthony Bourdain Lagos Tour. Dr. John added to his titles an Executive Producer of his Elite TV Show and a new book release. John is an incredibly talented successful man, all those that have met him enjoy being in his presence. Take the time to read our interview with Dr. John Williams where we delve into his personal and professional life, you will soon be inspired to take on anything, just like John.
IPM: As an entrepreneur, you are involved in numerous advocacy projects, can you tell us a little about yourself and how you got to where you are today?
JOHN: As a child, I had many difficulties and withstood mental and physical abuse. I had difficulties reading and writing, as well as built-up anger that was sure to land me in jail. I should have been in jail, I should have been dead, but God had bigger plans for my life. It was through him that I made it through, and I can honestly say that I am a testimony.
IPM: How did your background in martial arts set the stage for your expertise in martial arts teaching?
JOHN: I started martial arts over 35 years ago. It was something I needed to control my built-up anger. I never envisioned that I would be teaching it. I found out I was rather good at it, so I took classes in many different styles to better myself. I became a champion about 8 years ago and remained that way until I retired in February 2021. I am so very blessed to have been a member of the Fighting Tigers Karate School under my brother Grandmaster Jesse Mack Williams, Grandmaster Roy Brown, Anthony’s Martial Arts School under Grand Master Anthony, MMASC under SGM Richard Osborn, as well as Tiger Rock Master Arron Tuck. In each school, I learned so much and begin to apply it in each of my fights which in turn made me a better fighter. I had some of the best instructors that made me and prep me for my success. Special thanks to our team at tiger rock Tae Kwon Do in Fountain Colorado. The best team of instructors… Mr. Edward Gunderson, Mrs. Chantel Crocker, Mrs. Sarah Stejskal, Mr. Shawn Schaff I believe we made a great team. I had great friends like Brandi Johnson, Charlotte Jeromin, Jennifer Boyd, Maria Lobdell, the Garcia Family, the Digby Family, and many more. We had a blast, and it is much more fun when you train with people that love to have fun while feeling the pain…lol. In Martial Arts, you will at some point become incredibly angry, whether it be you are having a bad day, or you will have someone in the class that is just being a huge distraction. This is when you must learn the art of focus of your anger and put your focus on what is at hand. You learn to control your anger without losing your temper so fast.
IPM: Was it difficult to get started?
JOHN: Martial Arts to me was something that I always wanted to do. I watched my brother when he was a champion in boxing and Martial Arts. I wanted to be like him, and I tried to emulate his style, but soon found that I had to pave my own path. Once you get over the fact that you are going to get hit and sometimes hit hard, you will then be well on your way. The only difficulty I had was having the money to afford classes. The rest I loved and some I learned from Kung Fu Theater on Saturday afternoon as a youngster.
IPM: What is your vision goal for your martial arts teaching in 2021?
JOHN: My vision for my team is to stay focused and train hard, as well as to aim to be the best YOU they can be. Everyone wants to be a Champion but not too many want to put the work in.
IPM: What inspired you to start your career as a pageant director?
JOHN: I came across many children with a dream of being in a pageant but could not or did not have the funding. So, we took it upon ourselves to hold our pageants at the Holiday Inn and charge each person a $5.00 entry fee and make it as elegant as if we charged $300.00 or more to register. We had over 25 children and we told them to wear their Sunday best. THIS is when I knew we were on to a great thing. That was 1998 and we are yet to this day still having pageants. Our goal is to continue to go into the nursing homes and hold beauty pageants as well as seniors’ centers and show love to the forgotten people.
IPM: Were there any difficulties you had while producing a pageant?
JOHN: The difficulties were getting the right people in place. Once you realize and understand that no pageant will go off without its challenges then you will be well on your way.
IPM: As a director of a Pageant, what is the important takeaway (your goal) for the pageantry that you want people to know about?
JOHN: When you come to our pageants, I want you to walk away WIN, LOSE, or DRAW feeling like a winner. I want you to know that you are highly respected.
IPM: We notice you have a new cologne line; can you share with us what made you want to create it?
JOHN: My new cologne line stems from me as a person loving to always smell good. I pride myself on smelling good and always taking care of my personal hygiene. I travel a lot and am almost always talking up close with others. I am a very cognizant person, especially when it comes to my hygiene. When I traveled overseas, I loved the fragrances in Dubai, that is what I patented my cologne after. The name is from my brand name “ELITE MAN”.
IPM: You recently became an author of a book; can you share with us what made you decide to write the book?
JOHN: I wrote the book More than a Martial Artist because I wanted everyone to see the other side of me. I love my humanitarian work, I love visiting the shut-in and feeding the homeless, and I love going to those places that no one wants to go to. This is why I am More Than a Martial Artist!
IPM: We heard that you are starting your own TV show, can you share with our readers a little bit about the show?
JOHN: God has blessed me to have my own TV show, as well as my radio show. This all started because I was doing my podcast called Elite Hour of Power and it turned to Elite Motivational Moments with Dr. John Williams. This show will showcase everyday people with everyday problems and others that are willing to share their story. With this show, we can give others a voice and a platform to get their positive message out.
IPM: You are actively involved and engaged in sponsoring a fundraiser to help provide toys, socks, and meals to the local homeless children for Christmas, can you share with us a little about it?
JOHN: As a person that believes in the rule of NO PERSON left behind, I have emerged myself in helping those that many have forgotten. I understand that everyone and every situation is different. My goal is to leave a positive legacy for my Grandchildren and beyond. I know as well as everyone else that you cannot save or help everyone, but as much as we can do our part we understand that every little bit helps. With the Sock drive and the Meals on wheels for the elderly as well as the Literacy program and now with the C.O.I.N Community Academy we can reach more and help more. With the C.O.I.N Community Academy, we are focusing on the adults that are 45 years and above who wish to receive their HIGH SCHOOL Diploma. We will continue to collect out Toys for children at Christmas time as well as our Teddy Bears for our nursing homes Hug -A -Bear campaign.
IPM: What obstacles have you faced in the pursuit of being an entrepreneur, martial arts instructor, pageant director, author, TV show host, selling your own cologne line, and sponsoring a fundraiser, how did you overcome them?
JOHN: Finding People That Truly believe in what you do and who you are. Some doors are only open for a little while so we must learn to walk through them before God chooses to close them.
IPM: What motivates you to keep going in all that you do?
JOHN: The desire to see others smile and ease someone else’s struggle.
IPM: Do you have an important message you would like to share with our readers and entrepreneurs?
JOHN: DON’T BE AFRAID TO FAIL
JOHN WILLIAMS
· Owner/Instructor Williams Elite Martial Arts School
· Tae Kwon Do Instructor
· 3 Black Belts
· 2nd Degree Black In Modified System of Shoto-Kan
· 4th Degree Black Belt in Korean Taekwondo
· 4th Degree in American Taekwondo
· Certificate of Instructors
· in Martial Arts
· Instructor Certification
· MMASC TEAM USA MARTIAL ARTS Coach
· Division Leader Colorado MMASC Martial Arts
· Division Leader Colorado MMASC TEAM USA MARTIAL ARTS
· Certified Instructor Tiger-Rock Martial Arts
About The Author
