Sifu Jeramiah Giehl: A Life Forged in Combat, Craft, and Curiosity

In the sun-drenched sprawl of San Diego, California, Jeramiah Giehl’s story unfolds like a tapestry woven from grit, discipline, and an unrelenting quest for truth. A martial arts master, security professional, actor, fight choreographer, journalist, and public speaker, Jeramiah’s life is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of transforming raw experience into refined expertise. With over three decades in martial arts, a decade-plus in high-stakes security, and 25 years in media, he has carved a unique path, blending street-honed instincts with intellectual rigor. From back-alley brawls to indie film sets, from underground fight clubs to podcast studios, Jeramiah’s journey is one of constant evolution, marked by a commitment to empowering others and challenging conventions.

The Crucible of the Streets

Jeramiah’s story begins in the rough-and-tumble streets of his youth, where survival demanded quick fists and sharper wits. As a teenager in the 1980s, he found himself thrust into the chaos of street fights—unscripted, unpredictable clashes that tested his nerve and shaped his worldview. These weren’t the choreographed bouts of Hollywood; they were raw, visceral encounters with real stakes. Dodging punches in dimly lit alleys, facing multiple opponents, or navigating the threat of a sudden blade, Jeramiah learned the art of combat the hard way. “You don’t get a second chance on the street,” he’d later reflect, a lesson that became the cornerstone of his martial arts philosophy: functionality over flash, survival over showmanship.

It was in this crucible that a pivotal figure entered his life—a martial arts mentor who Jeramiah likens to Mr. Miyagi, the iconic sage from The Karate Kid. This master, whose name remains a private nod to their bond, saw potential in the scrappy young fighter. In a modest dojo, under the hum of fluorescent lights, the mentor introduced Jeramiah to the disciplined world of martial arts, blending technique with philosophy. Through sweat-soaked sessions, Jeramiah absorbed the fluid strikes of Jeet Kune Do, the deadly precision of Kali, the relentless aggression of Krav Maga, and the combat efficiency of Submissions Grappling. The mentor’s teachings went beyond physicality, instilling a code of balance, respect, and ethical responsibility that would guide Jeramiah’s life.

The Proving Ground: Security and the Midnight Fight

By his twenties, Jeramiah was no stranger to danger, but he sought to channel his skills into protecting others. Over a decade as a security professional and bouncer, working for various security companies from 1997 to 2025, he stood as a sentinel in high-risk environments. In San Diego’s bustling nightclubs, he managed crowds, defusing volatile situations with a calm word or, when necessary, a controlled takedown. His martial arts expertise—JJJ's effectiveness, Krav Maga’s directness and Jeet Kune Do’s adaptability—allowed him to reduce security incidents, earning him a reputation as a steady hand in chaos. From VIP escorts to CCTV monitoring, from roving patrols to Active Shooter Defense seminars, Jeramiah’s work was a masterclass in crisis management.

Yet it was in the shadows of the Midnight Fight Club—a clandestine, no-rules club—that Jeramiah’s skills faced their ultimate test. These underground bouts with various fighters, evoking the raw intensity of Fight Club, were a proving ground that reminded him of the need to handle multiple attackers, confined spaces, and unpredictable threats. Each match was a lesson in resilience, teaching him to read opponents’ intentions and adapt on the fly. These experiences, raw and unfiltered, became the bedrock of his reality-based training philosophy, emphasizing stress inoculation and practical combat over choreographed forms.

Cali Combat Systems: A Legacy of Empowerment

In 2016, Jeramiah channeled his hard-won expertise into Cali Combat Systems (CCS), a martial arts school that became his life’s work. CCS is no ordinary dojo; it’s a fusion of four systems—Fight Rhythm Jeet Kune Do, Kali-Silat Motion, First To Fight Retzev Combatives, and Integrated Ground Fighting Systems—designed to prepare students for real-world threats. Drawing from his street fights, security work, and underground bouts, Jeramiah crafted a curriculum that addresses stand-up kickboxing, grappling, weapons tactics, and multiple-opponent scenarios. His approach is unapologetically practical, blending the fluidity of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do, the versatility of Kali-Silat, the aggression of Krav Maga and the effectiveness of Jiu-Jitsu.

Jeramiah’s signature program, Escape To Gain Safety (ETGS), reflects his commitment to protecting the vulnerable. Designed for women and children, ETGS teaches rapid neutralization and escape from violent threats like assault or trafficking. With a 5-star rating over nine years, CCS has trained many students, including civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel, in seminars across the US and Mexico. Jeramiah’s teaching extends beyond the dojo, with anti-drug and anti-gang assemblies impacting students through martial arts demonstrations and motivational talks. His ability to connect with youth, blending physical prowess with life lessons, has made him a transformative figure in communities from San Diego to Scottsdale.

From the Streets to the Screen: Acting and Fight Choreography

Jeramiah’s talents didn’t stay confined to the dojo. Like a warrior stepping into the spotlight, he brought his combat expertise to the world of indie cinema. As a fight choreographer, he’s left his mark on films like High Voltage (2023) and Rangers: Rise of the Je’daii (2023) including acting as well, crafting heart-pounding sequences with light sabers, and firearms. His choreography, informed by years of real-world combat, prioritizes realism and safety, using pre-visualization to ensure every strike lands with cinematic impact. Jeramiah’s acting in El Rompecabeza (2002), and supporting roles as an extra in Enigma 2 (2017), Asymmetrical Fighting (2018), and as a fight crowd extra in Unspoken (2019) showcase his ability to embody the warrior’s spirit, blending physicality with emotional depth. His early appearances on Beach MTV (1993, Stupid Human Tricks) and NBC 7 Local News interview (1993) hinted at his charisma, while stage plays further honed his performance skills.

With a experience with parkour and movie combat training, Jeramiah coaches actors, directs rehearsals, and ensures safety protocols, making him a triple threat on set. His work is a bridge between the raw intensity of his street-fighting days and the artistry of storytelling, proving that the lessons of the dojo translate seamlessly to the screen.

A Voice for Truth: Journalism and Public Speaking

Jeramiah’s mind is as sharp as his fists. As a multimedia journalist with over 25 years of experience, as the Editor-in-Chief of JAG’D Edge Media, producing articles, blogs, and e-books for platforms like BlogCritics, Technorati, and New Media Expo. His publications—Navigating the New Music Market, New Media Rat Pack Visual, 3 Ways to Build Community, Crowd-Funding Your Project, and Bruce Lee’s Impact on MMA—reflect a keen ability to dissect complex topics, from martial arts history to cultural trends. At Something Newsy/Mesa Press (2024), he served as Podcast Editor and Staff Writer, producing investigative pieces and high-quality audio for SoundCloud, Spotify, YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

His podcast, The Pulling The Threads Podcast: Unraveling the Deeper Story, is a testament to his intellectual curiosity. Rooted in his diverse religious journey—including time as a Jehovah’s Witness—Jeramiah explores the historical Jesus within Second Temple Judaism, interviewing scholars like Dr. James Tabor, Dr. Robert M. Price, James Valliant, Rabbi Tovia Singer, and others. Topics like the Dead Sea Scrolls, Ebionite beliefs, and early Jewish-Christianity are dissected with rigor, challenging dogmatic narratives and inviting listeners to rethink history. His journalism training (Associate of Arts in Journalism, San Diego Mesa College, 2025) and Dean’s List honors (Fall 2003, GPA 3.5+) underscore his analytical prowess.

As a public speaker, Jeramiah’s voice carries the weight of his experiences. At Blog World/New Media Expo (2012–2013), he coordinated tracks, moderated panels, and delivered speeches on digital media, recruiting top panelists to drive event success. His talks at the All Eyes On Me Achievement Awards and Texas Gospel Announcers Guild (2005–2008) focused on martial arts, leadership, and community, earning praise for their cultural sensitivity and servant leadership. His anti-drug/anti-gang assemblies, blending kicks with inspiration, have reached thousands, making him a beacon of hope for at-risk youth.

The Man Behind the Mission

Jeramiah’s credentials are as formidable as his story. He holds Black Belts in Combat JuJitsu, Shorinji Ryu JuJitsu, and Songahm Taekwondo, with instructor certifications in Progressive Fighting Systems, Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do Grappling, DFA Kali-Kuntao, and Krav Maga Federation (under Expert 5th Dan Alain Cohen). Mentored by legends like Dan Inosanto, Paul Vunak, Tim Tackett, and David Tice, his lineage traces back to Bruce Lee, Imi Lichtenfeld, and John LaCoste. His FEMA/DHS certifications in Active Shooter Defense and Mass Casualty Events, paired with Tactical First Aid and CPR/AED, make him a trusted authority in crisis response. Additional certifications in Cage Fitness, Warrior X-Fit, and Small Business Management (San Diego CCCE, S.C.O.R.E.) reflect his drive.

Beyond the dojo and the stage, Jeramiah is a devoted father, sharing outdoor adventures like hiking, camping, and paddling with his two children. His spiritual path, once captured by Jehovah’s Witness teachings, now embraces open inquiry, fueled by a frustration with dogma and a passion for historical truth. This intellectual restlessness drives his podcast and his life, as he seeks to unravel deeper stories—whether in faith, combat, or community.

A Legacy in Motion

Jeramiah Giehl’s life is a masterclass in transformation. From a street fighter to a sensei, from a bouncer to a film star, from a journalist to a truth-seeker, he’s woven his experiences into a legacy of empowerment. His Cali Combat Systems has changed lives, his films have thrilled audiences, and his words have sparked reflection. Recognized as Employee of the Month for his security work and praised for his cultural sensitivity, Jeramiah leads by example, proving that strength is not just physical but intellectual and moral. As he continues to teach, create, and inspire, Jeramiah Giehl remains a warrior-poet, forever chasing the next challenge, the next truth, the next fight worth fighting.