"You don’t have to be a fighter to learn to protect yourself. You just need the right place to start and we’ll show you how."
We Equip Greenville families with real world self defense.
We believe there’s a version of you that’s stronger, more confident, and completely capable of standing your ground, and we exist to help you uncover it. Guardian Self Defense isn’t about being the toughest in the room. You don’t have to be a fighter to learn to protect yourself. You just need the right place to start and we’ll show you how.
the Family Behind Guardian Self Defense
We’re a family who trains together, grows together, and now teaches together. Our goal is to help you and your family experience the same confidence and connection that martial arts has given us.
Aaron Bouchillon
Kaitlyn Bouchillon
Dempsey Bouchillon
Layla Bouchillon
Built from Experience. Designed for You.
Our history tells the story of dedication. Years of training, teaching, and learning what truly helps people grow. Every milestone we’ve reached has shaped the programs we teach today, so you can benefit from everything we’ve learned along the way.
Where It All Began
It all started in a kids karate class back in ’94, when I was six years old and just learning how to throw a decent punch. From the moment I first stepped on the mat I was hooked for life. That school became a huge part of my life. It’s even where I met my wife, Kaitlyn, years later in 2007.
I was never the most talented one on the floor, but I had one thing that the others didn’t — perseverance. All I knew was that I loved martial arts, I wanted to do it for the rest of my life, and I would do whatever it took to get good at it.
Those early days taught us the value of hard work, and breaking through plateaus. These are the kinds of lessons we still bring into every class at Guardian Self Defense. We know what it’s like to start from the beginning, and we’re here to make sure every student feels encouraged from day one.
The “Damascus Road Beatdown”
Kaitlyn had left the old karate school around 2005 and had begun training in Jeet Kune Do. It was through her that I started training in Jeet Kune Do (thats right, she's done it longer. Kaitlyn - 1, Aaron - 0). On Friday nights after training, the Sifu (chinese for "teacher") would hold a Bible study and I was invited to join. One night, after the Friday Bible study, he asked me if I wanted to do some sparring. I thought this was kind of a weird request — after all, it was past 10pm, but I also wasn’t about to back down.
Long story short — I that was the worst butt kicking I had ever received. It wasn’t so much that he beat me up (although he did), but it was the fact that he literally only used one hand to do it. I threw everything I had at him — punches, kicks, you name it, but I didn’t land a single blow. It was humiliating. Not only did I have several black belts at the time, but I was also a teacher at my old karate school and was training with world champion level fighters. I had trained with the best of the best, but I couldn’t even land a single punch.
I remember driving home that night so frustrated that I was in tears. I had two choices: go back to my karate school and ignore that this ever happened, or find out what that guy knew that I didn’t. To me, the choice was clear. So, in the summer of 2007, I left my old karate school and devoted myself to learning Jeet Kune Do. With time (and a lot of training), I grew in skill and knowledge and became an instructor of this great art. I also had the privilege of teaching in my former Sifu’s school for many years. Those were some of the best years of my life, and I will always treasure them.
The Wing Chun Connection
I got another large helping of humble pie in 2010 when I met a senior practitioner who was my kung fu “grandfather” in lineage terms. The narrative around Jeet Kune Do is that Bruce Lee “abandoned” Wing Chun (spoiler alert — not true), and as a result many JKD practitioners tend to downplay how effective and deep the art really is. Long story short, I learned just how wrong that perspective was.
I spent the next several years learning everything I could about Wing Chun and its deep rooted connection to every aspect of Bruce Lee’s art of Jeet Kune Do. I eventually earned an instructor certification, and spent many years teaching Wing Chun in my Sifu’s school.
Guardian Self Defense
I couldn’t be more thankful for the teaching I have received. It has been an honor to have trained with such great martial artists, and it’s because of them that I have the knowledge and abilities to serve the people the Lord brings to our school. Guardian Self Defense brings together everything we’ve learned over the decades. What started as a personal journey has become a mission to help others feel safer, stronger, and more capable in their daily lives.
When you step on our mats, you’re not just joining a martial arts class — you’re joining a family that’s dedicated to helping you reach your full potential, one class at a time.
Here's Where you Come In
Guardian Self Defense was never just about martial arts. It’s about using the gifts God has given us to serve Him by serving others. Every moment of our journey — the wins, the losses, the humbling lessons — led to one purpose: to help others experience the same growth and transformation martial arts has given us. Guardian Self Defense exists so you can benefit from all those years of trial, faith, and perseverance.
Whether you’re stepping on the mat for the first time or looking to take your training deeper, this is where your story joins ours. We’ve walked this path so we can walk beside you — helping you grow stronger, more confident, and ready for whatever life throws your way.
— Aaron Bouchillon, Founder of Guardian Self Defense
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