Mikko Juan

Stories saw it first, but I started a blog! I'm quite scared to share it - but I'm ripping the band-aid off. It's occupied a good chunk of my brain space for the last few months. I've always enjoyed writing, but I never had the outlet to share it. I'll let my first post explain more. Check it out at the link in my bio! And if you'd like, do sign up for the mailing list so that you can be notified of new posts! Enjoy ❤️

One year of being married to you. The quickest year that has even gone by. It really is true when they say time flies when you spend it with the person you love. Everything about that day was perfect. Here's to many more, my love. Happy Anniversary. ❤️ 📸: @almidameyerphoto //@soundandseaphotography

Can't believe I missed National Cat Day... To the cat I love so much, and the cat I miss so much. ❤ #TheTailsOfTetra #kylothetux

What @mega_mikko said. ⬆️ #MissSaigon

The stick is a tool. This not only allows for learning how to fight with tools but also to extend the knowledge to other tools. Training with a stick has taught me how to fight with knives, swords, impact tools like pens (yeah i can teach you to be like jason bourne but better), and barehands. As long as the system that delivers those teachings are sound, it becomes very easy to translate stick movement to, let’s say, knife movement. The caveat is context. It has to be clear that fighting with a knife still feels very different to fighting with a stick. What it does is it teaches general movement while context is applied accordingly. Filipino martial arts is a complete system. It equips each student with the knowledge of having better understanding of each tool while also being able to explore different ways of protecting ourselves against an incoming threat. My brother Mikko getting to know the blade through the movements and reactions he’s been developing. To say that i’m proud of his growth is an understatement. He’ll be able to fight you with anything, including a lightsaber. Get to know Filipino martial arts and learn to fight with tools. Fill the gaps. Stay fluid. _ _ [email protected] _ _ _ #fluidtactics #bladedhand #fightwithtools #ultrainstinct #filipinosdoitbetter

Tour life.

''His genuine love for Kim is what propels him forward in this story.' @mega_mikko is Thuy #MissSaigon

When our nervous system learns how to deal with problems, pressure, stress or threats in real time, it allows us to be calmer as we respond to it. Not only that, it is a way for us to ensure our own safety by being aware of what our minds and bodies do in fight or flight mode. This modality of Filipino Martial Arts pushes for extremely good protective systems within our personal space as well as being able to direct our own movement and still be devastating to oncoming attackers without a thought process. The way i train my students is not a fight but a way for me to install and upgrade our existing nervous system protocols while refining simple and direct movements for the goal of surviving an opponent who is better skilled at the game. Part of this goal is for my students to be able to interpret or express this art in the most honest way they can. To me, learning to fight and learning to develop the art for their own expression is intrinsically linked. We cannot protect ourselves or fight as someone else. Every body is different. And that’s what makes it beautiful. Everyone that trains this learns the same system and art but will interpret and express them differently specially as they level up and install other extensions to their system. My goal is to have individuals move like themselves and to keep upgrading their movements, knowledge, and self awareness. Filipino Martial Arts is more than just cool techniques. It can level up any part of your existing system, no matter what you do. Let’s get training! Drop a like and let me know in the comments or my DMs if you wanna book your sessions. _ _ [email protected] _ _ _ #fluidtactics #filipinomartialarts #mindbodyawareness #reactionbasedeskrima #neurodivergentmartialartist

Training under pressure means processing happens in real time because no matter how much knowledge we have, it will not be applied when our nervous system is attacked. Mikko’s back after around 6 months because he’s touring and his reactions feel like they never changed. Still able to react to constant pressure and still able to counter a noncooperative training partner. This means we are able to get right back into refinement of movement and upgrading to even sharper reactions. I couldn’t be more proud of how his movement and base reactions have sank into his nervous system that even after a fairly long time away, we can just pick up where we left off without feeling like things have regressed. Welcome back to the madhouse brother! _ _ If you’d like an effective way of learning self protection and Filipino Martial Arts, send me a message! [email protected] _ _ #fluidtactics #eskrima #reactionbasedtraining #selfprotection #mindbody

I wasn't going to participate in the photo dump trend. But then I realized that 2016 was a big one for me personally. The year started with reprising Chip Tolentino in the now-defunct UW Musical Theater program's production of "Spelling Bee". I played the same role in my senior year of high school - and it was such a thrill to play it again with the skills and life experience I gained since then. Not to mention, I LOVED that cast - my fellow musical theatre classmates and dearest of friends - and getting to work with @brandonivie was such a thrill. It was also the year I made my professional debut in @the5thavenuetheatre newly revised production of Paint Your Wagon. The production then traveled to @the_ordway in St. Paul shortly afterwards. I took spring quarter off to be a part of it. It was a stage that I didn't think I'd get to perform on until long after I graduated, yet there I was - alongside many of my heroes. I got to originate a role, and do a show out of town. I remember on first preview, @tarynmfdarr taking me to the stage right wing to listen to the murmur of the crowd. Taking my first bow that evening is a moment that I'll never forget for as long as I live. The year ended with Peter and the Starcatcher at @artswestplayhouse . I was back in school, and juggled rehearsals with classes. I was exhausted - but I always looked forward to carpooling to West Seattle with @the_mcdermott_twins after class. Working with @ericankrim at the helm, the joy and passion he brought in the room, and that ENSEMBLE!!!! I laughed so much during that process. And I was taught how to PLAY in that show, and reminded that staying young at heart is essential - not only in what we do as performers, but also in life. I left that show with a full tank. Oh, and I got to witness the greatest Star Wars film ever made in the movie theater. 'Nuff said. The last photo was taken at a hike I went on that summer - before I started the journey with Paint Your Wagon. I was so full of hope and excitement for my career. When he figures out that in 10 years' time, he'd be making this Instagram post after playing Thuy in Miss Saigon in Dublin - I can only imagine the look on his face.

A Day In The Life - 2 Shows in Llandudno

@mega_mikko is Thuy ‘Getting to create my version of Thuy was the most artistically fulfilling process of my career thus far. Getting to play him for audiences across the UK and Ireland and singing this luscious score is an even greater privilege.’ #MissSaigon 📸: @mrmattcrockett