Meet our Instructors

Photo: Karan Malhotra

Sam Gladdy Sensei 4^th Dan

National Coach for Adult Training and Development

Teaches at our Bushey and Borehamwood Adult Clubs

I was born in 1977 in London where I have lived ever since. I started my martial arts training in 2009 where I was instantly taken with the no-nonsense style of Jiu Jitsu that is Ishin Ryu. The austere tutelage suited me from the outset, and although I went home limping on both legs and aching all over, I was hooked.

Following that first night I began training twice a week in the Borehamwood dojo in Hertfordshire, where I went on to partake in every chance for extra training courses, and moved up through the gradings at every opportunity.

Since then I have been privileged to travel to many countries as part of Kevin Pell Hanshi’s team, where we have taught to international audiences and performed demonstrations of our style.

Under Kevin Pell Hanshi’s guidance I went on to attempt my Shodan grading in 2016, which, after much blood, sweat and toil, I passed. I have continued to both train and teach on the mat, and have since been awarded the rank of 3rd Dan.

My personal philosophy on the martial arts are closely aligned with the club ethos. I believe strongly in developing mental resilience, fortitude and agility, maintaining fit and strong physical conditioning and combat endurance, and developing realistic stress-proven techniques and resolute principles to base them on. While my main focus is on contemporary self-defence, I embrace the history of our ancient martial art and look towards the future of a constantly evolving system.

Photo: Karan Malhotra

Mark Hayden-Smith Renshi 4^th Dan

16^th May 1957 – 08^th December 2012

Mark Hayden-Smith Renshi sadly passed away at the age of 55…., he was a much-loved children’s teacher at Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu. His first classes began at Manor Lodge School, Hertfordshire in 1992. He was the first member of Soke Kevin Pell’s Yudansha and well respected by everyone within the organisation.

He was the head of children’s training and development within Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu, teaching thousands of children throughout the county, the foundation of children’s training was down to him and all our instructors still use his ways today. He was loved by all the students and parents with his cheeky smile and bubbly personality.

Reaching the rank of 4^th Dan and awarded the title of Renshi by Kevin Pell (Soke), his lifelong friend and instructor, he left a hole in all our lives that will never be filled. His life will be celebrated every year by your fellow Yudansha, Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu, and all who were lucky enough to know him. With stories from his teens when you first met Soke on the farm in the mid 70’s, to singing his favourite Karaoke song “Ernie” at many seminars and trips away with the club.

Dell Shannon Sensei 3rd Dan

Born in Ireland, moved to England in 1984. grew up in London and moved to Norfolk in 2001.

After leaving the Armed Forces in 2001 and moving myself back to London, I decided to move to the East of England where I currently reside. Having spent a few years living in the area I decided to venture back into Martial arts.

During my youth, I dabbled with different martial arts, having lessons in Judo, kick boxing, watching all the martial arts movies I could get my hands on. Come to think of it, I think I even believed I was a ninja at one point, but what child didn’t think that…

Now that I was an adult, I wanted to try something again, so myself, alongside a few friends decided to venture into the world of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu. 12th January 2004 was our first lesson. Unknown to us, we were about to experience one of the best thrills and excitement you could get, especially when our first lesson was free. Some may look at me at being a little crazy thinking that excitement is getting sweaty, having joints being manipulated and shouting the word OSU!

To be fair, it didn’t matter what people thought, I was hooked and every night after finishing training decided to make my partners ears bleed with the excitement and thrill I had that evening.
Ishin Ryu was very militaristic, lots of etiquette, lots of fitness and the never-ending hill there was to climb to achieve your next belt. I loved it and continued training and steadily made my way through the belts.

After reaching the dizzy heights of Shodan Ho, the mountain was to climb further; the 17th of January 2010 was to become the hardest thing I would ever undertake. My SHODAN (Black Belt), no money was required, just the outright courage to go through with it. After two days and a few ups and downs, I would become an Ishin Ryu Black belt and be able to wear the coveted Sun & Kanji. A special tattoo worn to those that have been before.

Having achieved such greatness, I started to teach classes in the London and Norfolk regions. Gaining knowledge and learning the art, especially when passing on to others. I continued teaching for a few years, getting great fun and excitement from this. Watching children grow with confidence, succeed with their ambitions.

I spent many years travelling with Soke Kevin Pell, the Ishin Ryu black belts and mudansha. I have had the pleasure to train with some fantastic instructors. Having moved up the ranks to 3rd Dan (Sandan), I currently train at the fantastic Honbu dojo, a home from home…

Photo: Karan Malhotra

Jack O’Brien Sensei 1st Dan

Safeguarding Lead Officer

Teaches at our Borehamwood and Leighton Buzzard After School Clubs

My journey into martial arts began back in 2002 when I was just 8 years old. As a kid full of energy, I was constantly on the move, and martial arts seemed like the perfect outlet for all that bouncing off the walls! I still remember my first lesson vividly, with Renshi Mark leading the charge. We were all swinging around wooden nunchaku, having a blast. I was a bit nervous at first, but within minutes, Renshi Mark had me right in the thick of it, throwing me around on the mat and loving every minute.

From that day forward, I was hooked. As I grew up in the club, I found myself drawn to helping with coaching whenever I could. Before I knew it, I was assisting with the kids training sessions six times a week. It was incredibly rewarding to pass on what I’d learned over the years and see other students blossom into talented martial artists.

Then, in December 2020, we lost Renshi Mark. It hit me hard, and it was a loss felt deeply across all the clubs. But I’m so grateful for the time I had with him. To this day, I still teach classes the way he taught me, carrying on his legacy.

I’ve been incredibly fortunate to have the support and guidance of Soke Kevin Pell, the club’s founder. He’s been a constant source of inspiration and wisdom, helping me navigate my journey in martial arts. With his mentorship, I’ve climbed the ranks to Shodan Ho and now teach regularly. I continue to train under his watchful eye, always striving to improve.

My approach to martial arts is all about humility, resilience, and continuous learning. I believe in staying grounded, remaining open to new perspectives, and honouring the traditions of our ancient art. Soke Kevin Pell’s influence has been invaluable, and I’m deeply grateful for his guidance as I continue to grow on this path.

My Shodan grading in September 2024 was a pivotal moment in my martial arts journey. As only the sixth person in Ishin Ryu history to pass this rigorous two-day test, I feel a deep sense of gratitude and accomplishment. Standing alongside esteemed martial artists like Soke Kevin Pell, Sensei Sam Gladdy, and Sensei Del Shannon was an honour I’ll never forget.

Photo: Karan Malhotra

Lou Panteli Sempai

National Coach for Children’s Training and Development

Teaches at our Bushey and Borehamwood After School Clubs

I recognised the value of self-defence as young as ten years old when I escaped from the hands of a paedophile. My Greek parents believed sports were for boys. But remarkably viewed self-defence as a valuable life skill that every young woman should possess. They signed me up at a young age to a local Ju jitsu club in Stoke Newington. They hoped it would protect me from bullies at school and the rough Hackney estate I grew up on. It turned out to be lifesaving.

I went on to practise Judo at my local comprehensive school. My tiny stature but tall confidence earnt me the nickname, “Mighty Mouse” as I eradicated school bullies with my fighting skills. At the age of sixteen, my father had heart surgery. I had to get a part-time job to support my mother. I was heart-broken that I was unable to join a club to continue my journey into martial arts. But the skills I had learnt so far were a toolbox I always carried with me.

Twenty-three years later I found myself returning to Ju Jitsu. When I stepped into Borehamwood Dojo for the first time, I realised how much I had missed martial arts. When I first met Kevin Pell, I remember the look of surprise on his face as I effortlessly executed five Palm Heel Strikes. The skills that I had been taught as a child had never left me.

Over many years, I dedicated myself to Ju jitsu. I trained at Borehamwood Dojo twice per week. Absorbed as much knowledge as I could. Regularly trained at other Ishin Ryu dojos. Stayed strong and fit outside of the dojo. The reward was that I never missed or failed a grading. When I successfully attained my Sho Dan Ho, it was an honour to be able to officially share all that I had learnt to other students.

As a female instructor, I am on a mission to empower other women to take up self-defence. Sexual harassment, domestic violence and violent attacks on women are not going away. It’s a myth if you think that these crimes are only committed by strangers or an assailant larger or stronger than you. I train with male and female partners of all sizes and strengths. I am not naïve; self-defence may not save me from being assaulted. But Ju jitsu has taught me awareness and potential life-saving combat skills. It has made me feel powerful and strong.

I can only speak for myself. But for me, the greatest benefit is the physical confidence it has given me. Confidence that certainly helped me as a child when I needed it most.

Alex Law Sempai

Teaches at our Borehamwood and Bushey After School Clubs and Manor Lodge School

I started my martial arts journey at the age of five under the tutelage of Renshi Mark and Sempai Jack. Thirteen years later I still remember walking into the dojo for the first time and learning how to defend myself from some common bully like attacks, a skill valuable to all children.

Over the years my enthusiasm for Ju Jitsu has grown exponentially, moving through the infant, junior and teenager classes as I grew until finally reaching the adult class.

In the adult class I have had the chance to travel around Britain alongside Kevin Pell Hanshi to share Ishin Ryu’s no-nonsense style with fellow martial artists and the public at seminars and displays. However, my journey within Ishin Ryu has not been limited to the confines of a dojo, whether sleeping in barracks or swimming through rivers I have trained in places where most martial artists would not get the opportunity to.

In addition to training at my childhood dojo of Bushey I also train at the Borehamwood dojo, taking every opportunity to train. Taking every opportunity to train, I also took every opportunity to grade allowing me to move up through the ranks; developing my skills as a martial artist as I went. Over the years of arduous training, both within and outside of the dojo, I developed the physical and mental endurance needed to pass some of the toughest gradings in the martial arts world. The culmination of this was my Shodan-Ho grading which I completed in November of 2023.

Since my Shodan-Ho I have continued to train hard, working towards my next challenge, whilst sharing my knowledge with my fellow students. I am also passionate about teaching the next generation of martial artists in our hard-hitting, real-world style and teach regularly at our dojos in Hertfordshire.

Photo: Ray Thompson

Joe Pinker

Teaches at our Thetford, Bushey and Leighton Buzzard After School Clubs and St. Benedict’s School

At 25 I had been introduced to the club from a friend, I was hooked on the ethos of the clubs; no nonsense self-defence and help to push people to be the best they could be whilst supporting them and welcoming them.

This was more apparent as someone with autism I had found the club exceptional in regard to understanding and supporting me and later to learn also about its campaigns to help teach children also with autism.

My journey for teaching children started as volunteering as an assistant, with all the senior grades help and guidance across multiple dojos, I had seen what Ishin Ryu can offer to children excited about learning martial arts and the need to defend themselves predominantly from bullying.

This made me want to become an instructor myself; inspiring other martial artists coming up through the ranks whether that be in the children’s classes or adults.

Photo: Ray Thompson

Zak Lynn

Teaches at our Caston, Watton and Thetford After School Clubs

I started at Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu at the Thetford Club when I was 4 years old. I loved it and it helped with me build up my confidence. I climbed through the belts from infant, junior, teenagers and eventually onto the adult belts.

From a young age, my dream was to become a professional instructor. As a student, I went to all the competitions and won sliver in 2015 at the Junior Children’s Championships. In 2018, I became a referee at the championships and loved being involved in it all.

After the pandemic, I returned to the Thetford Club under the instruction of Sempai Lou Panteli. I progressed steadily through the adult belts. Eventually, with Sempai Lou’s help, I began to learn how to teach children. I am eternally grateful to Sempai Lou for the experience as it led to an incredible opportunity within Ishin Ryu.

In 2024, I was offered a chance of a lifetime. Soke asked me to become his Uchi Deshi and I began to teach my very first children’s classes at our headquarters in Caston. It was a privilege to become an instructor at Honbu, the headquarters of Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu and under the guidance of its founder, Soke Kevin Pell Hanshi 10^th Dan.

In July 2024, I went on to become the instructor at our Watton Club. In October, our Thetford club, where I began my martial arts journey, was passed over to me and Joe Pinker. I can’t wait to see what my future holds with Ishin Ryu Ju Jitsu.

Photo: Ray Thompson