The Academys Chief Instructor is Simo Cookie Vassiliou who has been involved in Martial Arts for many years and has achieved Instructor ranking in a wide variety of styles, such as Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do, Kali, Silat and Thai Boxing. These accreditations have been accomplished under the renowned guidance of Guro Dan Inosanto, Sifu Terry Gibson and Arjarn Chai Sirisute.

In addition Cookie is a member of the World Escrima Arnis/Kali Federation (WEAKAF), Government Accredited Coach (NCAS), Honorary Representative for Larry Hartsells Jun Fan/Jeet Kune Do Grappling Association and Instructor under Terry and Cathy Gibson.

In obtaining such outstanding qualifications Cookie teaches internationally and has trained with Top International Instructors as:

Dan Inosanto
Nino Pilla
The Machados
The Gracies
Larry Hartsell
Terry Gibson
Cathy Gibson
Chai Sirisute
Yuri Nakamura
Sifu Francis Fong
Edgar Sulite
Bob Breen
Marc McFann
Prof. Don Jacobs
Kevin Taylor
Richard Bustillo
Dionisio Canete
Cacoy Canete
Guro Herman Suwanda
Prof Wally Jay
Tino Ceberano
Tony Blauer
Eric Paulson
Master Rhee
Bill Wallace
Benny Urquidez
Victor de Thouars
Gene Lebelle
Dr Maung Gyi
Salem Assli
Grand Master Bobby Taboada
Grand Master William Cheung
Tuhon Leo T. Gaje




From left to right:

Guro Dan Inosanto, Jean Jacques Machado, Simo Cookie Vassiliou, Sifu Francis Fong and Ajarn Chai Sirisute.



Simo Cookie and Sifu Q are the full time instructors and the directors of Progressive Martial Arts. They strive to create an environment for learning for student of all levels. Simo Cookie and Sifu Q are in high demand internationally and assist at the Inosanto Academy on a regular basis.

As a full time instructor and director at Progressive Martial Arts, Sifu Q has been the right hand man to Simo Cookie. As such Sifu Q has had the privilege of training with some of Simo Cookies instructors. He is quoted as saying 'I am always extremely impressed with Simo Cookies knowledge, guidance and skill. Simo Cookie is a teacher of the arts. She has been an amazing guide and coach. Simo Cookie continues to be my guide, for which I am eternally thankful'




Simo Cookie and Guro Dan Inosanto at PMAAI




Sifu Q and Guro Dan Inosanto at PMAAI




Simo Cookie, Jean Jacques Machado and Sifu Q

Here at Progressive Martial Arts we are very proud of our well qualified and experienced instructors. We wish to pay tribute to our instructors by introducing then to you.





Ben Wittkopp

Ben is an instructor at Progressive Martial Arts HQ Wynnum teaching both adult and juniors Mixed Martial Arts classes.





Christian Brown

Christian, an instructor at both PMAAI HQ and the North side Branch. Christian teachers the full variety of classes offered at PMAAI HQ.





Corey Bagnall

Corey instructs the seniors and juniors classes as well as adult private lessons at PMAAI HQ



Grahame Lloyed

Grahame instructs at PMAAI HQ in a variety of classes ranging from the Mixed Martial Arts classes to Muay Thai the kickboxing classes.





Jr Vassiliou

Jr is an instructor and personal trainer for PMAAI who has been training his entire life. Jr takes a high endurance fighter training class as well as kickboxing classes. Jrs expertise is used for those that want or need to have great physical and mental conditioning.





Jr runs a personal training studio called Xcelerate fitness. Many of the students and fighters from PMAAI utilize Xcelerate fitness for extra specialist work in strength, fitness, endurance and conditioning.
If you are after a personal trainer you can email Jr at xcelerate_fitness@hotmail.com





Luke Rogers

Luke instructs at PMAAI HQ.





Michael Balczun

Michael instructs the juniors at PMAAI HQ on a regular basis. He instructs the juniors in all the ranges taught at PMAAI.





Monique Mullen

Monique is an instructor at PMAAI HQ, Rochdale and facilitates the instructions at Jimboomba. Monique teachers junior and adult classes as well as private lessons.





Rob Mansfield

Rob instructs a verity of mixed martial arts classes at PMAAI HQ.





Rob Mills

Rob regular instructs in all the martial arts taught at PMAAI HQ in both a classes and private lessons environment.





Vaughn Wardlaw

Vaughn instructs for Progressive Martial Arts at HQ and Rochdale. Vaughn facilitates all the instruction at Rochdale.








John Saker

John is an instructor at PMAAI HQ. John regular takes day time kickboxing and mixed classes.





Matt Coates

Matt is an instructor at PMAAI HQ and assists at the Nth side branch.





Amanda Ward

Amanda is a instuctor and a trusted volunteer of PMAAI who helps and has authority in a range of areas ranging from administration, instructing, collection of fees and the running of classes.


All of the instructors of PMAAI are required to keep up there qualifications and continue to learn with PMAAI in order to ensure high quality instruction of students. This also ensures instructors skills and understanding do not remain stagnant.