For many years, I practiced and taught Jeet Kune Do (JKD). I always admired Bruce Lee's philosophy: simplicity, efficiency, adaptability. But over time, I started feeling a weight.
The JKD that people were asking for wasn't the JKD that I believed in. It was a JKD stuck in the past... Or so open and confused that it had lost its essence.
Some students came just for the name JKD. Others for Kali (Eskrima), which also covers the weapon aspect, because Bruce Lee didn't have time to develop everything before passing away.
Some wanted a diploma to be able to say they had JKD, even if they didn't really care if my training actually served them. And I, to respond to this demand, ended up sometimes teaching a pale and soulless version of what I believed in.
As Bruce Lee wrote in his own book (Tao of Jeet Kune Do):
“If the name becomes a problem, change the name..”
That's exactly what I did.
To Free Myself from Limitations
Throughout my years of martial arts and personal defense training, I moved away from Bruce Lee's Jun Fan Gung Fu (the Kung Fu that serves as the basis for JKD), not out of disrespect, but because I wanted to evolve.
The JKD that I was practicing no longer fit into a box. And I didn't want to continue being a prisoner of a label.
With Mentadorio, I was able to:
Maintain the simplicity and efficiency that I had always admired in JKD,
Trim away what was unnecessary,
Adapt the training to each student,
Create something truly Portuguese, with roots in Asian martial arts but completely modern.
Why Mentadorio is More Adaptable
The Mentadorio system is not a collection of techniques pasted one on top of the other. It is a living system, designed for:
Adults with little time but a real desire to learn,
People who want to progress quickly without getting lost in useless theory,
Here we don't train for belts, we train to be truly better. Keeping for the most motivated the possibility of becoming a Mentor (Instructor).
Linda-a-Velha, Oeiras, a Different Training Space
At my academy in Linda-a-Velha,
You can train with me and receive direct attention.
If you live in Oeiras, Lisbon, or the surrounding areas, here you will find a space where:
The technique is adapted to your body and pace,
The training is serious, but accessible,
The philosophy is clear: functionality above all.
In-Person Training and Online Academy
If you cannot always come to the club (if you live far away or don't have enough schedule flexibility), you can continue training through the Mentadorio Online Academy:
Step-by-step explanatory videos,
Programs adapted to your level.
Conclusion
JKD taught me a lot, but Mentadorio is the result of years of training, reflection, and real-life experience.
If you are looking for effective, simple, and personalized training, come experience Mentadorio in Linda-a-Velha (Oeiras, Lisbon, Portugal).
It's not just a style. It's a way of training, and of thinking. If you live far from a Mentadorio Fonte (Source), use the Online Academy, you can always complete stages in other cities in Portugal. If you have any doubts, feel free to reach out.
Mikael Martins, Founder of Mentadorio
