The Many Lives of Ninja Dave

Jan. 11, 2009

At the age of 44, Jim Adkins a.ka. “The White Tiger” and “The Arizona Tiger” is one of three 8th degree kenpo karate black belts in the country. Next month he will head west and appear in front of a martial arts council to become a 9th degree black belt. While Adkins is on track to become one of the youngest 10th degree black belts, he is most proud of the hundreds of students he has served.
Adkins moved to Northern Michigan from Arizona four years ago. He retired early from a successful career with Merrill Lynch and having started a thriving martial arts studios out west (which he still oversees), he decided to do the same here. He has studios in Traverse City and Kalkaska and currently has 30 students.
Why did he take up karate?
“I wanted to learn to fight. I was getting picked on. I was 11 and was a troubled child. My father had died and my mom was a prescription drug addict. So I found myself fending for myself,” said Adkins. “When I started karate, what I quickly learned was that it is more than just about fighting. In fact it is really a journey about self-discovery.”
Adkins says there are many benefits to learning the art of karate or other martial arts disciplines.
“Certainly there are a lot of physical fitness benefits. But I think equally important is that one learns self-discipline and self-respect,” said Adkins. “So much of everything in life has a mental component to it and the same is to be said about martial arts. Exercise is as much mental as it is in the physical.”
He also points out that martial arts may be taken up at any age.
“Typically, a parent brings their son or daughter to the studio for lessons and before they know it, they are taking lessons as well,” said Adkins. “This is a great family activity.”
So how much time does one need to commit to the martial arts?
“I ask my students to come to studio once a week and practice at least three times a week. Many practice 30 minutes a day,” said Adkins. “I give them homework.”

MULTIPLE CAREERS
When Adkins moved to Northern Michigan he planned on leaving two careers behind. But he quickly found that he could not pull himself away from either. Adkins is now doing his second “tour of duty” in the banking industry. He is also back on the music stage.
Jim Adkins is better known to “the people” as Ninja Dave, the front man of Twisted Finster (the popular Northern Michigan party band of Omelette & Finster fame). During the ‘80s, Adkins was the lead singer of Warner Brother’s recording artist, Icon, that was part of the metal scene. He also had successful runs in several tribute bands, and last year was one of the front runners to become the new lead singer of Journey.
So where did Ninja Dave come from?
“Well, I had a young family at home,” (Adkins said of his now seven children and two grandchildren,) “and it looked as if my rock and roll music career was going to take off so I took a stage name of Dave,” said Adkins. “So when I moved to Traverse City I wasn’t going to be in a band. I was listening to KLT and Finster was talking about starting a band and my wife said I should audition. So I did and Finster wanted to give us all nicknames. When I told him about martial arts he told me, ‘from here forward you are Ninja Dave.’ It is funny because when people see me at the bank they are confused by my nametag that says Jim.”
Between banking transactions and Twisted Finster gigs, Adkins is preparing to go before the “council” of kenpo 10th degree black belts in February to be tested for attaining his 9th degree black belt. So how long is the test?
“As long as Master Larry Tatum determines it to be,” said Adkins. “Some promote themselves to various black belt degrees. But being promoted up by your peers has a special meaning to it. At this level it takes five years between these degrees. So 10th degree is the highest and few attain it. But this is a discipline that no matter your degree you continue to learn.”
Master instructor SiGung James Adkins studied under the legendary Master Larry Tatum. Adkins, in addition to studying all kenpo karate systems, holds black belts in Saholin kung fu and ninjutsu. He is also an expert in weapons and all forms of hand-to-hand combat. Adkins plans to never retire from teaching martial arts. His Northern Michigan studios offer group and private lessons in cardio kickboxing, kung fu, kenpo/self defense, ninjutsu and tai chi. For additional information: jadkinskenpo.com or call 231-922-0683.