About Us

Mark Cox

Instructor

Mark Cox is an exceptionally accomplished martial artist with a 40-year journey in owning and operating martial arts schools. His remarkable expertise has yielded over 700 Black Belts, a testament to his unparalleled dedication to the martial arts community. Beyond the mat, Mr. Cox has shared a wealth of invaluable life lessons that extend far beyond the realm of martial arts.

Mr. Cox is a forever student with Black Belts in Tang Soo Do, Krav Maga, Hapkido, and a Brown Belt under Sergio Machado (Team 3 Competition Team). These remarkable achievements underline his unceasing commitment to personal growth and serve as a constant source of inspiration to both his students and peers.

In addition to his martial arts career, Mr. Cox has earned recognition as a best-selling author and an influential motivational speaker. Drawing upon his extensive experiences, he skillfully inspires and empowers others to reach their full potential. Mr. Cox possesses a unique gift for connecting with people from all walks of life, meeting them at their own level and guiding them through their unique life journeys.

Mr. Cox’s teaching philosophy is rooted in the values of grit and determination, emphasizing their pivotal roles in achieving growth and success. His unwavering belief is that anyone, through sheer dedication and hard work, can surmount life’s obstacles and accomplish their most cherished goals. He delivers his teachings with a perfect blend of humor and candid realism, ensuring that his wisdom resonates with a diverse audience and remains accessible to all.

Nathan Carlan

Instructor

Nathan Carlen was born in 1978 and grew up in the San Fernando Valley. He started martial arts in an after school program in the fourth grade and has never left it. He began training with Grand Master Mark Cox in 1989 at the Church at Rocky Peak. When GM Cox opened Chatsworth Karate in 1990 Mr. Carlen followed. In 1996 GMC made Nathan an Instructor for America’s Best and he feels honored and privileged to still serve in that role as well on the Board of Directors for the America Krav Maga Federation. Nathan is a lifelong student of the martial arts and has been blessed with amazing teachers and training partners in multiple systems and holds rank American Tang Soo Do, Krav Maga Shotokan, BJJ, Kali and Silat among other systems. His running joke is “I has no life.” He has been a teacher and coach in the Los Angeles Community College District since 2004 and credits his success there with students directly to how the martial arts and, specifically, GMC’s mentorship, have taken him from being an insecure and angry child to something else. He currently lives in Chatsworth with his loving wife and daughter. Between family, teaching and training not much else goes on but he feels blessed by God to have those.

Michael Cox

Instructor

Hello I am Michael Cox, a dedicated practitioner of martial arts, where I have cultivated expertise across various disciplines. With a 6th-degree black belt in Tang Soo Do, a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu, and a black belt in Krav Maga, I have honed my skills through years of disciplined training and unwavering commitment. Martial arts instills in me not only physical strength and agility but also mental resilience and discipline, shaping me into a well-rounded individual both on and off the mat. Beyond the realm of combat, I am equally passionate about engaging in outdoor activities such as skateboarding, skimboarding, and hiking, which further enrich my life with adventure and vitality. The two people I share these hobbies with are my lovely wife Hayley and my dog Bear.

Ashley Sage

Instructor

Ashley Sage started her martial arts career at the age of 6 at her local YMCA doing Tae Kwon Do. After a brief break and moving again- she started at Chatsworth Karate at the age of 7. From then forward she began other martial arts as the years went on. Starting Tang Soo Do at the age of 7 and earning her 1st Degree Black Belt by age 9. Since then she has moved from up to 4th Degree Black Belt. Currently she works towards earning her 5th Degree Black Belt under Mark Cox; and with the hopes of getting both the approval and blessing from the American Tang Soo Do Association with the head of the Association being Great Grand Master Dennis Ichikawa.
Along the way she started in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at age 12 under Felipe Ruiz. Since then she has earned her Purple Belt under 3rd Degree Black Belt, Sergio Machado. She looks to represent and compete for “Team 3” to continue to honor their legacy and sacrifice. Competing since the age of 12, she has competed in several tournaments over the years placing almost at every single one. Making her goal to be an IBJJF World Champion one day drives her to push herself on a daily basis.
Shortly after beginning that journey she then started in Dog Brothers Martial Arts and currently holds a “Brown Tag” Instructor rank under the head of the organization Pungong Guro Marc “Crafty Dog” Denny. Working closely with “Crafty Dog” for years in Redondo Beach she was preparing for the fights to come. Fighting in the semi-annual Gathering of the Pack since 2018 she has accomplished the title of Candidate “That Bitch” and still pursues the title of a Full Dog Brother one day.
Just recently in 2018 she began her journey in Krav Maga under the American Krav Maga Federation where she trains under her instructors Mark Cox and Nathan Carlen. After a long 5 years she has just earned her 1st Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga and currently holds a Level 4 Instructor Certified rank in the Federation. Utilizing the skills and techniques she’s learned over the years have made her a special individual and instructor at our school.

Anica Fontaine

Instructor

Hi! My name is Anica Fountaine and I am a 4th Dan Black Belt under Grand Master Cox. Our family started at Chatsworth Karate almost 17 years ago and I was a proud Mom watching on the sidelines while my Kids took class. One year for Mother’s Day, Grand Master Cox offered a month of free lessons to any Mom that wanted to take class. I signed up and from my first day I was hooked! Martial Arts has provided me and my entire Family valuable skills both on and off the mat that we will carry with us forever. I dabble every now and then in a Krav Maga and BJJ class and hope to continue to broaden my knowledge and understanding to better teach others. I love Jesus and spending time with my Family, traveling, and reading.

Dicky Billings

Instructor

My name is Dicky Billings and I was born June 15, 1988 and grew up in Simi Valley. My martial arts journey began after I beat testicular cancer in 2016. I started American Tang Soo Do with Great Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa and Grandmaster Justin Ichikawa at Thousand Oaks Westlake Karate Studio. That’s where I met Grandmaster Mark Cox. After getting my 1st Degree Black Belt in American Tang Soo Do in 2018 under Great Grandmaster Ichikawa, I started training under Grandmaster Cox. I then tested for my 2nd Degree in American Tang Soo Do in 2021. I started my journey in Krav Maga in 2018. Then I started Krav Maga because I wanted to expand my knowledge with my self defense and the basics I learned from Tang Soo Do was a great start to put me on the right foot. Then I tested for my 1st Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga in 2023. Currently I am a Level 5 certified instructor under the American Krav Maga Federation. I would not be the martial artist I am today without instructors like Nathan Carlen taking the time to push me out of my comfort zone. I originally started Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2017 with Neil Torrey. From there I had met many BJJ practitioners along the way. While training at America’s Best Chatsworth Karate and Krav Maga we were introduced to our new Brazilian Jiu Jitsu instructor Sergio Machado in 2020. I was given my Blue Belt by Mr. Sergio Machado in early 2023 and have been pushing hard every week just to get a little better. My goal for 2024 is to compete as a Blue Belt in the Team 3 Competition Team. When I’m not at the studio I especially enjoy spending time with my family, especially my fiance. I just recently adopted a Golden Retriever puppy and we have named him Dug. If I find myself having more free time, one thing I love to do is spend time at the Range.

Kathy Villar

Instructor

Shuvea Fountaine

Instructor

While attending UCLA I was introduced to several on-campus, Martial Arts schools; Hwa Rang Do and Kenpo karate both caught my interest but never completely fit into my study and work schedule. In 2007, I moved to Chatsworth and began looking for a well-run, disciplined martial arts school that could teach my four year old son dedication, integrity and self-defense. Chatsworth Karate fit each of those requirements and also offered training in something I couldn’t even pronounce, Krav Maga. While my family trained in Tang Soo Do, I took an introductory class in Krav Maga and I was hooked. The blending of multiple martial art disciplines and Krav’s effectiveness was exactly what I wanted to learn. Fifteen years after that introductory course, I now hold the rank of Third Degree in and I’ve had the pleasure of watching my entire family make martial arts training a way of life. My wife of 20 years, two daughters and son all train at Chatsworth Karate and each has obtained a rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt or higher. Our family understands exactly why we train and we consider it a privilege to share that training with others.

Brooks Morgan

Instructor

My name is Brooks Morgan I am a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Krav Maga under the AKMF. I also hold rank in other disciplines such as Jiu Jitsu, Tang Soo Do, and Dog Brothers Martial Arts. I started training in the Karate program at Pierce College under Master Nathan Carlen in early 2012 after which I started training in Krav Maga at Americas Best in late 2015.

Ever since then Krav Maga and martial arts has been a huge part of my life. It helped me discover a passion for teaching and I am now the instructor for the Jr Krav Maga program here at Americas Best.
 
 
 
 

Jay Walker

Instructor

Mr. Walker is the Chief instructor of America’s Best Krav Maga Simi Valley. Mr. Walker holds a 3rd degree in Krav Maga as well as a 4th degree in Tae Kwon Do. He also holds belts in many other styles since starting martial arts in 1985.

It was during his Martial Arts Career, Mr. Walker has trained many world and state champions in Karate/Tae Kwon Do as well as Kick boxing and MMA fighters at Pro and amateur level. During this time, he as been awarded instructor of the year in 2000 by Tae Kwon Do Times in Mississippi and recently countless awards in Krav Maga such as Instructor of the Year and Junior Instructor of the year.

Mr. Walker has always had a love for competing in martial arts from the age of 15 until fighting in his last cage match at the age of 39 in 2009. Martial Arts is his true passion. His motto is “breaking barriers to build brighter futures for tomorrow’s leaders.

Stefanie Drew

Instructor

Stefanie Drew has always been drawn to martial arts, with brief stints in tae kwon do asa child, shotokan karate in college, and wing chun kung fu for several years in graduateschool. However, it wasn’t until she discovered her true passion until she tried krav maga. Stefanie began her krav maga training in 2016 and earned her first-degree black belt in 2021. She enjoys continuing her krav journey while also beginning to study Brazilian jiu jitsu. Stefanie loves training in these martial arts along with her husband and two sons. She is passionate about teaching the next generation of martial artists through our Juniors Krav Maga program. Beyond martial arts Stefanie received her Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of California, Irvine and is currently a Professor of Psychology at California State University, Northridge with research focused on visual perception, technology, learning and neuroscience.

Rick Robledo

Instructor

Rick Robledo is an assistant instructor at America’s Best Krav Maga, Simi Valley. He teaches Adults Level 1 and our Little Dragons program for 3–5-year-olds. He achieved the rank of 2 nd degree Black Belt in 2023. Rick has been with America’s Best Krav Maga since 2016. Rick began his martial arts journey at Chosen-Ryu Karate in 1987 at the age of 10, achieving 1 st degree Black Belt there in 2000. Currently, he is also training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Rick has a passion to teach beginners and children, watching them grow in their skills and confidence. His wife and 4 young sons also train in Krav Maga and Jiu-Jitsu. Three of his sons have achieved the rank of Jr Black Belt in Krav Maga and his youngest son is almost there. He loves being able to train with his whole family. Rick is a Pastor at Simi Community Church and a Chaplain in the US Navy Reserve.