Qualified, Experienced and Committed to Excellence
Every instructor at Zen Combat Academy is a specialist within their chosen discipline and brings a high level of experience, knowledge and professionalism to every class. All instructors are fully insured, appropriately DBS checked, qualified to teach and trained in safeguarding, Sports First Aid, Mental Health First Aid and competition refereeing. Our team also includes qualified counsellors and therapists, giving us a greater understanding of physical wellbeing, mental health, neurodivergence, disability and the individual support needs of our students.
Zen Combat Academy is led by Jason Ashton, a qualified teacher, assessor and Internal Quality Assurer, with extensive experience in education, coaching and martial arts development. Jason is also a qualified Sports and Injury Therapist, Personal Trainer and professional weight-cutting practitioner, enabling him to support students and competitive fighters with training, physical preparation, injury awareness, rehabilitation and responsible fight-camp planning. These qualifications, combined with decades of practical martial arts experience, ensure that every student receives knowledgeable, safe and professional instruction.
Jason Ashton
Owner and head Instructor. Started Training in martial arts when 13 years old. With 43 years experience and blackbelts in Kickboxing, Krav Maga, Sports Karate, taekwon-do and high belts in several other disciplines, including Japanese Jui Jitsu, Ninjitsu, Muay Thai as well as several years of Boxing. As an ex fighter of several years, I understand the commitment and passion of martial arts. I now oversee the instructors and looking after the club, allowing the the instructors to flourish. As well as in charge of the Junior and Adult fight teams and inclusive training for disabilities
Keir Bennett
My name is Keir I’m the taekwondo and inclusive taekwondo instructor at zen combat. I started my martial arts journey at 17 in kick-boxing and later into budo/judo with sensei Francis. in my late 20s I began training with the north Devon Taekwondo association of Great Britain.I gained my black belt 1st Dan in traditional taekwondo Soon after I went on to be trained as an instructor for North Devon Taekwondo.i had many students and had some amazing results. Whilst there I trained as a point sparring and fight umpire for the TAGB as well as welfare official for all the competitions. Part of my taekwondo life I would sit along side the masters and head instructors at gradings and assist them with the grading process.
Matthew Goddard
Matt Has been training for over 12 years with me and is a Blackbelt in kickboxing and currently about to go for his Blackbelt in Taekwondo and Krav Maga. He generally works on all the day time classes as well as 1-1 including Muay Thai and Inclusive, as well is just about to also to qualify in his Elite Grading for Ricky Hatton Boxing Academy.
Martin Cook
Im Martin but my nickname is Pitbull, Honestly don't take that name literally, as I'm the joker of the Instructors. I'm one of MMA instructors with over 12 years of MMA experience, as well as being a PT instructor. I will train you hard, but in a more relaxed way. However, I will push you to your personal limits to get the best out of you.
Martin Beer
My name is Martin. I’m currently coaching point sparring and parent and child class here at Zen. I have my 1st Dan blackbelt in freestyle taekwondo and kickboxing of which I’m working towards my 2nd Dan. I’ve also started to learn Krav Maga and have obtained my yellow belt so far. I have also trained in mma and Muay Thai though my expertise is predominantly taekwondo and kickboxing. My passion for martial arts started at a young age, growing up watching movies starring Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan, Jet Li etc. Teaching martial arts became a dream of mine and being able to fulfill that at Zen really is a dream come true.
Dale Casemore
Hi I’m Dale Krav Maga instructor here at zen combat Bideford I’ve been training combat sports for many years. I started with boxing for a few years in my early teens followed by 7 year of karate achieving brown belt.i now have been training 7 year in Krav Maga and have my 1st Dan black belt and currently wait to take my 2nd Dan. I feel Krav Maga pushes you to your limit and pushes you do more than you think possible with amazing team of coach’s and students to help along the way. The hardest part is walking through the door and putting yourself out of your comfort zone if you can do that you can achieve anything .come give it a try and hope to see you there.
Debbie O'Keeffe
3rd Dan black belt in Kickboxing Been kickboxing for over 30 years, teaching it for over 19. Self-employed holistic coach helping people with total mind and body wellness, including personal fitness, hypnotherapy, nutrition, reflexology and massage.
Chris Rayner
Hello. My name is Chris Rayner. I am the new Head Coach of Judo at Zen Combat Academy. I am a BJC and BJA approved 1st Dan Black belt. I am also a BJC and BJA approved level 2 Judo Coach.
I started doing Judo as a child, as did my Dad and my Grandad, who was also a Head Coach at a Judo club in Bradworthy. I first trained as a child with Sensei Mervyn Francis in Bideford. I then took up the sport again as an adult with Sensei Richard Pincombe at Riverside Judo Club in Barnstaple. I also trained with Sensei Neil Roode at Barnstaple Judo Club. I have previously been a Head Coach of Judo at High Bickington Judo Club. I was a coach there for 5 years. I have been doing Judo for nearly 20 years. I love the sport.
I am looking forward to my new role as Head Judo Coach at Zen Combat Academy. I want to be a good role model and promote the etiquette and traditions of Judo and inspire the next generation of Judoka.
Tom Ashman
Started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2012, got awarded my blackbelt (Gi and no Gi) in Peru. Spent years training in Brazil at the famous Academy of the legendary Fernando “Tererê” Augusto. Have been awarded all my Luta Livre belts from the one of the founders of the sport of Luta Livre (Brazilian no gi submission wrestling) Roberto Leitão, Red belt, trainer of UFC fighter Jose Aldo, Georges St-Pierre..
Finley Mitchell Jones
Finley brings 16 years of elite combat sports experience to our Stand up and MMA coaching team. Having trained since the age of 11, Finley competed as an amateur in boxing, BJJ, and Kickboxing/Muay Thai before rising to the professional ranks in MMA, Kickboxing, and Submission Grappling. After a serious neck injury ended his competitive career, Finley transitioned into coaching—discovering a passion for teaching that rivals the thrill of competing. Finley uses a lifetime of world-class experience to help members master technique, build bulletproof conditioning, and unlock their ultimate athletic potential.
Dan Mccarthy
I’m Daniel, a qualified Level 3 Personal Trainer and Boxercise Coach with a genuine passion for helping people become fitter, stronger and more confident. Through personal training and energetic Boxercise sessions, I help people of all abilities improve their fitness, build stamina, lose weight and push beyond the limits they have placed on themselves. You don’t need to already be fit, experienced or confident—you just need to be willing to take that first step. I’ll support you, motivate you and help you discover what you’re truly capable of. Your journey starts when you decide to make a change—so come and join me. Let’s go.
Reece Hollingsworth
Hello, I am Reece Hollingsworth, an emerging coach at Zen Combat. I am passionate about educating individuals of all ages and abilities. I have completed nearly 1,000 hours of boxing training and have two years of experience in various disciplines, including Muay Thai, Jujitsu, and wrestling. Teaching others also provides me with valuable learning opportunities, as I aspire to become a professional MMA fighter, having participated in two official and one unofficial fight. I believe there is always something new to learn.