The Lineage
JKD Flow Academy continues a martial arts philosophy pioneered by Bruce Lee — one rooted in simplicity, adaptability, and honest self-expression.
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Bruce Lee was not only a movie star and martial artist but a revolutionary — pursuing truth in combat long before Mixed Martial Arts emerged as a blend of styles. Though his approach incorporated techniques from diverse disciplines which was already a groundbreaking concept, it was grounded in a deeper purpose. In his words: “To me, ultimately, martial arts means honestly expressing yourself.” This core belief shaped Jeet Kune Do into something far beyond a fighting system — it became a path of personal liberation.
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​Our lineage is more than just learning techniques. It’s about transmitting a spirit of inquiry and personal truth — handed down through generations of teachers who evolved and embodied the essence of Jeet Kune Do.
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At JKD Flow Academy, we honour the living current of learning and expression rooted in Bruce Lee’s original teachings — carried forward by generations of instructors who preserved his philosophy with depth and integrity. Below are some of the key figures in our lineage.
Sijo Bruce Lee
27/11/1940 - 20/7/1973
Founded Jeet Kune Do in July of 1967, translated as ‘The Way of the Intercepting Fists’ with the foundational maxim, “Using no way as way, having no limitation as limitation.”
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Bruce created Jeet Kune Do as he felt that traditional martial arts systems were rigid and ineffective in real combat. He believed martial arts should be practical, adaptable, and a personal expression of oneself. Drawing from various disciplines like Wing Chun, Boxing, Fencing and other arts, he emphasised simplicity, efficiency, and interception. Jeet Kune Do is not a fixed style but a fluid philosophy that encourages the martial artist to constantly experiment and evolve.
Sifu Jerry Poteet
29/11/1936 - 15/1/2012
Jerry Poteet was an original and regular student of Bruce Lee and trained under him at the Jun Fan Gung Fu Institute, Chinatown Los Angeles. This school was significant as it was Bruce Lee’s first formal martial arts school in the U.S and the birthplace of what would eventually evolve into Jeet Kune Do.
After Bruce’s passing, Sifu Jerry Poteet became a key figure in preserving Bruce's original JKD teachings. Poteet also trained actors and law enforcement in JKD and worked on fight choreography, continuing Lee’s legacy in both martial arts and cinema.
Sigung Richard Bustillo
28/1/1942 - 30/3/2017
Known as the “The Iron Dragon", Richard Bustillo was a direct student of the late Bruce Lee and is the founder of the International Martial Arts & Boxing Academy (IMB Academy).
Sigung Bustillo is credited along with Dan Inosanto as Jeet Kune Do’s most influential ambassadors and in 1974, they both co-founded Filipino Kali Academy, in Torrance, California. Their goal was to preserve and expand upon Bruce’s JKD philosophy by integrating diverse combat systems. In 1984, Bustillo went on to establish the IMB Academy in Carson, California, which continues to teach JKD, boxing, Muay Thai, grappling and Filipino martial arts.
Sigung Ricardo Vargas
8/9/1973 - present
Sigung Ricardo Vargas, founder of the JKD Legacy Academy, is a second-generation Jeet Kune Do instructor certified by two of Bruce Lee’s original students, Sifu Jerry Poteet and Sigung Richard Bustillo. After early training in various martial arts, he became a dedicated student of Poteet and learned Bruce’s original JKD. Ricardo later trained intensively under Bustillo, earning his full instructor certification in 2015.
Ricardo Vargas holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy and Theology, informing his approach to JKD. In 2011, he established Australia’s first school solely dedicated to Jeet Kune Do in Adelaide, and now continues to teach in Melbourne, preserving and advancing Bruce Lee’s legacy.
Sifu Thomas Pham
17/3/1996 - present
As the founder and Head Instructor of JKD Flow Academy, I am committed to preserving and sharing the art and philosophy of Jeet Kune Do. Having a direct lineage to Bruce Lee’s legacy, it is my duty to pass on both the ‘original JKD’ curriculum and to continue evolving ‘JKD concepts’ in the 21st century.
With a Master’s in Teaching and experience as a school teacher, I teach with clarity and care — using a student-centred, adaptable approach that balances practical training with deep philosophical roots.