Private Lessons & Coaches in Lake Forest Park, WA

I’m a passionate martial arts coach and active competitor in Seattle with over 15 years of training. I help students of all levels reach their full potential in a fun, supportive, and challenging environment. I’ve trained with some incredible names: • Aaron Fields (Seattle sambo/grappling coach, founder of SeaTown Grappling) • Byamba (4× World Sumo Champion, former pro sumo wrestler in Japan, dominant US Sumo Open competitor) • Demetrious Johnson (former UFC Flyweight Champion with a record 11 straight title defenses) • Frank Shamrock (former UFC Middleweight Champion and MMA pioneer) • Igor Kurinnoy (3× World Sambo Champion) • Matt Hume (legendary MMA coach, founder/head trainer of AMC Pankration, former fighter, and Sr. VP at ONE Championship) • Sifu Christopher Clarke (Northwest Kali/JKD founder, full instructor under Dan Inosanto) My disciplines include Boxing, Wrestling, Sambo, Judo, Jujutsu, Catch Wrestling, and Kali. I’ve competed nationally in Sambo and keep sharpening my skills while guiding others to hit their goals.

"I loved training with Gabriel because he is a great teacher who makes lessons enjoyable and easy to follow. The class was well-paced and engaging, which kept me motivated throughout. If you’re thinking about trying MMA, I definitely recommend taking a lesson with Gabriel to experience his teaching style firsthand. You won’t be disappointed! 🥋

With over 20 years of experience as a golf teaching professional, Micah Kim combines a deep understanding of swing fundamentals with an innovative focus on body movement and habit change. His coaching philosophy centers on helping players think through each swing, develop efficient movement patterns, and build lasting habits that translate into consistent on-course performance. Micah holds teaching roles with PMK Developers and GAW, and serves as a Golf Fitness Instructor at Willows Run Golf Course. In each setting, he integrates golf-specific fitness training—emphasizing flexibility, strength, and balance—to help students move better and swing smarter. Whether you’re looking to refine your technique, overhaul your swing mechanics, or develop a fitness routine tailored to golf, Micah’s holistic approach ensures you’ll improve your game from the ground up.

Hello my name is Steve, I am a former Pro Player, and Major League Scout. I have trained Youth, and Adult, Baseball and Softball players for over 18 years. More than just hitting and catching, baseball is a journey of strategy, teamwork, and personal growth, one that I've been honored to guide students on for 26 years. My passion is to equip aspiring athletes with the skills and mindset to excel both on and off the field. Thank You. Steve Goucher

"Yep folks..' Bill Nye. 'The Science Guy ' here. I took baseball lessons with Steve, before I played in the Arizona fantasy baseball camps. He is a great instructor,at all levels. We also invented a few baseball gadgets together. A baseball, ball Retriever that fits onto the end of your Bat' of course. Carry on Folks. B.N.

In August of 2021, Leonard embarked on a quest to elevate his pickleball skills, actively seeking a place to learn and play. It was during this journey that he crossed paths with Damon, a gentleman who extended an invitation to a community center predominantly frequented by players aged 50 and above. Initially feeling out of place, Leonard was warmly embraced by the community and taught the game that now ignites his passion. Today, almost two years later, Leonard aspires to give back by sharing his knowledge, eager to teach newcomers and enable them to experience the joy of one of the world's fastest-growing sports.

"Practiced some of the basics including racquet placement, stance and serve/volly

Ever felt the thrill of a perfectly placed volley? I've dedicated 30 years to honing my skills, competing at the collegiate level, and fostering a love for the game in others. As your coach, I'll bring my experience and infectious enthusiasm to every lesson, helping you elevate your game with personalized strategies and techniques.

"One of the best parts of the lesson was the focus on technique, which really helped improve my game. Esteban’s approach made the session both productive and enjoyable. I’d recommend anyone looking to sharpen their skills to give his lessons a try. It’s a great way to build a solid foundation in tennis! 🎾

My lifelong passion for music and my journey as a vocalist has led me to a deep understanding of the arts, and I am eager to share my experiences and knowledge with aspiring artists! I studied classical and operatic music at Brigham Young University Idaho before branching out to the jazz and musical theatre genres. I firmly believe that learning classical techniques while studying other singing styles is invaluable. While proper and healthy technique is essential, a captivating stage presence and genuine emotion are equally, if not more, crucial. Having graced various stages throughout my college journey and professional endeavors, I bring experience and a repertoire of acting tips and tricks to evoke authentic emotions.

"Love her! Super professional and accommodating every time! Look forward to more lessons.

With a profound passion for teaching music, Rachel brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our creative community. Armed with a Bachelor's degree in Music Education and a Master's in Education, she's dedicated the past 15 years to the art of teaching. Her journey is anchored in the belief that everyone, regardless of background or experience, possesses a unique musical spark waiting to be ignited.

"I had the pleasure of taking voice lessons from Rachel, and my experience was truly exceptional! Rachel created a supportive environment that made me feel safe and comfortable, fostering an atmosphere conducive to learning. One standout quality was her ability to explain concepts in various ways, ensuring a comprehensive understanding. This adaptability made the lessons more engaging and tailored to my learning style. Her encouragement played a pivotal role in boosting my confidence. It's evident that Rachel isn't just a skilled professional but also a dedicated mentor who genuinely cares about her students' progress. I highly recommend Rachel to anyone seeking a voice instructor who not only imparts valuable knowledge but also creates a positive and empowering learning experience.

In my mid-30s, I ventured into golfing and initially faced significant challenges with the game. For a while, I didn't take formal lessons and struggled to find my stride. However, once I committed to following instruction and advice, my enjoyment of the game began to grow exponentially. Now, I eagerly join my golf group for weekly rounds across the Puget Sound area, relishing every opportunity to play. Teaching others has become a passion of mine, and I eagerly share my knowledge whenever someone expresses interest in learning.

"Kevin was very helpful

With 15 years on the pitch, I blend technical skill with a supportive style, fostering a love for the game and helping players reach their full potential. My experience allows me to tailor training to your needs, ensuring growth. Let's work together!

"Keanna is very engaging and connects well with my daughter with her instruction.

My name is Rusty, I am a PCI certified PB coach from Tacoma, WA. My introduction to and journey with pickleball is one of a kind and my story alone. If I could sum it up in a few short sentences I would. Due to the uniqueness and length, it will take a bit more. My dad was a Tacoma firefighter and competitive handball player. They had courts at the station, and I started playing with dad and his buddies. Handball is a tough game for a 14-year-old. One day after playing handball, I had to go to baseball practice, my hands were so sore I couldn’t catch the ball, hold a bat or throw the ball without wincing and looking like a baby. I came home and told my dad how terrible practice that day was, he quickly remedied that by sawing off the handle of an old wooden tennis racquet. This worked for about a month, and we decided that a real racquet was in order. My dad knew of a guy up on the Hilltop that was the top racquetball player in the Pacific NW. We went to his little shop, and I met the owner, Sid Williams. (Future Hall of Famer, Original Founder of the USAPA and Original Pioneer of Pickleball), He outfitted me with a new aluminum Leach (I still have it). Little did I know that he would become one of my closest friends a mentor and confidant. Sid became my coach as I started to show promise in local tournaments beating all the ‘old guys’. Fast forward 4 years, one month after my high school graduation, 1978. Sid called and said grab your gear, we are playing this afternoon at the new Family Fitness Center. As I was getting warmed up and my gear ready, he laughed and said “you won’t need all that, we are playing pickleball”. I had never seen nor heard of ‘pickleball’, I thought to myself, what a silly name. But Sid being who he was to me, I rather reluctantly agreed. The courts were all indoor/outdoor carpet, we had a whiffle ball and wooden paddles. I had an absolute blast that day. We played as much as we could that summer, all indoors, all at the Family Fitness Center. There were no such thing as outdoor courts yet. I went to work for the Club and after the summer was over, I left for college to play baseball. After three years of college baseball, I returned home to Tacoma and right back to the club to play racquetball. In my absence pickleball had picked up steam, it was growing, and the courts were usually full. At the same time my sales career was taking off as well. I played both sports whenever I could. Sid was running racquetball tournaments and I was his right-hand man. We would play in the mornings and afterwards we would head out to secure sponsorships donations and door prizes. I didn’t know it at the time, but Sid was giving me a “Master Class” of running tournaments. Somewhere around 1984-85, he took his format and applied it to pickleball. This is where competitive pickleball begins. I was there in the beginning of the new era. Singles was the game at the time and there was one guy I could never beat. Heck no one could beat. Future Hall of Famer Billy Jacobson was that guy. He was the best. Can’t think of a time or tournament that he didn’t dominate. So, I became a doubles specialist. Winning the 1st Annual Washington Open Games for mixed doubles. Billy didn’t play that division. This was the biggest pickleball tourney ever, anywhere. It was sponsored by Nalley and sanctioned by the newly formed USAPA. I loved spending time with Sid on and off the courts. He was truly one of a kind. I loved him dearly and miss him greatly. I played as much as I could, but as a young man at 26 years old I was building a career and was coaching football basketball and baseball at the Boys and Girls Club, there wasn’t a lot of free time. Yet, I was always there with Sid running the tournaments. The Open Games was the last time I played competitively. I took a break to be a college baseball coach, get married and start a family, helping Sid whenever I could. Well now it is September 2022, I am 62 years old. I haven’t played pickleball in 30 years. But this is post pandemic, I was burned out in Corporate America, a suit and tie every day. I wanted to do something that I loved, I wanted to have fun again, I just wanted to be me. The coach and athlete. Sitting around one night with some friends, they asked what I was going to do now. I said, “I am going to make a living playing and coaching pickleball”. As you can imagine we all had a good laugh. I started playing again, I started the process to form a charitable organization named, “The Sid Williams Foundation” and ‘Sids’ Kids’, “bringing pickle to the public” With all that is happening now in pickleball a new company was in order, I named my new company Pickleball OG *coaching*consulting*construction. Today, I play 5-6 days a week, I teach lessons in all shapes and sizes. I consult with paddle companies and with the construction of new facilities both private and public. If I can help in you in any way pickle related, reach out.

"Honestly, Rusty's lesson stood out because of how he broke down some tricky shots, which really helped my consistency. Though the pace was steady, I appreciated how he tailored the advice to my style. Still, I left feeling quite confident about applying what I learned. If you're looking for a coach who’s precise and thoughtful, Rusty’s worth trying out.