Jesus Rangel Jr

Mr. Jesus “Jesse” Rangel Jr. was born and raised in Marion, Indiana, and began his martial arts journey at just four years old under Grandmaster Joon Pyo Choi. With deep roots in martial arts on both sides of his family—his father a lifelong martial artist and his mother trained in boxing—martial arts wasn’t just an interest; it was a family tradition. Since then, Mr. Rangel has built a career spanning more than three decades, with training and instructor certifications across Tang Soo Do, Kenpo, Jeet Kune Do, Filipino Kali, and law enforcement defensive tactics. He has even worked as a SWAT team instructor and opened his own school at age 15.

Mr. Rangel joined Ripple Effect Martial Arts in 2025, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a deep passion for teaching. Known for his clear, breakdown-oriented teaching style and his ability to connect with students of all backgrounds, he leads by example and thrives on helping others grow. He loves exploring the cultures and histories behind different martial arts styles and continues to train and expand his knowledge to this day.

Outside the school, Mr. Rangel is an artist. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Media Arts and Animation from the Art Institute of Colorado and once dreamed of becoming a comic book penciler. He has worked in film and television doing stunt coordination and fight choreography, earning awards for his work.

At home, Mr. Rangel is a dedicated husband to Amanda and father to four children—Joe, Jun, Jade, and Jasmine. He shares his home with a Turkish sheepdog named Kratos and two cats, Kira and Kitana.

He’s proud of how martial arts opened doors throughout his life, from law enforcement to teaching in schools, and now to inspiring the next generation through Ripple Effect. For Mr. Rangel, Ripple Effect’s emphasis on family feels like home—and that’s exactly what he wants to help build for others.