HOMELESS AT 17 TO WORLD RENOWNED MARTIAL ARTS TEACHER

Navigating the treacherous streets of Johannesburg’s South Side housing estates as a young man, Rodney King faced challenges most people can hardly imagine. Where others saw insurmountable hurdles, Rodney saw opportunities to grow, adapt, and survive.

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The streets weren’t his only adversaries. Rodney endured relentless bullying at school and constant threats from neighborhood gangs. Yet, his greatest challenges came from within his own home, where he suffered mental and physical abuse at the hands of his mother. At just 17, he was cast out, homeless, and left to fend for himself on the unforgiving streets of inner-city Johannesburg.

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Amid this turmoil, Rodney found solace in the writings of Viktor Frankl, whose words became a guiding principle:

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"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one's attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one's own way."

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Frankl’s wisdom ignited a spark that would fuel Rodney’s journey toward transformation.

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Forging Strength in Adversity

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A turning point came when Rodney entered the South African military during a period of mandatory service. There, he honed his survival instincts and leadership abilities, rising to the rank of platoon sergeant. He led hand-to-hand combat training for the military police’s elite close protection unit, further refining the skills that would later define his career.

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After his military service, Rodney faced a new challenge: building a future without a high school diploma. Determined to succeed, he used his unique skill set to work in some of Johannesburg’s toughest nightclubs, running security for high-risk venues. This chapter of his life led to Thailand, where he trained under Muay Thai legend Apidej Sit Hirun, earning the rare honor of teaching under Hirun’s name. Simultaneously, he trained under South African boxing icon Willy Toweel, cementing a foundation that would shape his martial arts journey.

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Revolutionizing Martial Arts

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Rodney’s experiences culminated in the creation of Crazy Monkey Defense, a revolutionary martial art system focused on survival and thriving in adversity. His reputation grew rapidly, and he became the first South African to earn a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, awarded by the legendary Rigan Machado. Today, Rodney is a 5th-degree black belt with over three decades of experience.

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His survival-focused approach attracted global attention. Elite forces such as the US Army Special Forces, LYNX Commando, Slovak Special Forces, and Thai Special Forces sought his training. Corporate giants like Google, Airbnb, Facebook, and Singapore Airlines turned to him for insights on, safety, resilience and leadership. In 2019, Rodney took the stage at the Unruly Airline Passenger Management & Restraint International Conference (DISPAX) in London, where he showcased the critical role of mindfulness in airline security.