Instructors of the Phoenix Quest Center

Michael Stinson began studying To-Shin Do in 1993 with Mark Russo at the Tampa Quest Center in Tampa, FL. Shortly after Mr. Russo began his Quest Center, Mr. Stinson became aware that he wanted to be closely involved with the To-Shin Do tradition. Over the next several years, Mark Russo and the Tampa Quest Center staff gave Mr. Stinson excellent training experience both as a student and to develop his abilities as an instructor. During this period, he also assisted in the creation and running of Tampa's Mighty Dragons Program, a class for 6-year-olds.
During his years of training with Mark Russo, Mr. Stinson also took many opportunities to train with other individuals involved in both To-Shin Do and the Bujinkan nationwide. In 2000, he moved to Phoenix, AZ to pursue an opportunity in the growing Internet industry. Over the next two years, he continued to train with various Bujinkan groups, and traveled to Dayton, OH to train with Stephen K. Hayes at the Dayton Quest Center whenever possible. He also traveled to Japan to train with Dr. Hatsumi, who is Mr. Hayes' teacher, and other high-ranking Japanese instructors. Mr. Stinson met his fiance and co-Quest Center owner, Lori Stinson, during his training experiences in the Phoenix area.
Michael formally approached Mr. Hayes concerning the opening of a Phoenix Quest Center while at the Dayton Festival in 2001, and after almost a year of hard work and determination, the doors to the Phoenix Quest Center were opened on July 20, 2002. Teaching and helping people Unleash their Potential is one of the most rewarding experiences Mr. Stinson has found.

Lori Stinson began her training in 1993 with the Arizona Bujinkan Ninpo and Budo Kai studying Bujinkan Taijutsu. During the nine years that she trained with the group, she attended four Tai Kais and numerous seminars given by senior instructors in the Bujinkan. Ms. Stinson became a certified To-Shin Do instructor in 2002, and is excited to join her husband Michael in opening the Phoenix Quest Center.

Lori has a background in Early Childhood Education, and has worked in the community for many years with children and families at-risk for abuse or neglect. She holds a M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education and a M.Ed. in Special Education. Other interests of Ms. Stinson include studying yoga, learning about environmental issues and spending time with friends and family.

Nate Smith started training in To Shin Do and at the Phoenix Quest Center in 2003. Mr. Smith has been a martial arts enthusiast ever since watching his first action/martial arts movie growing up. He eventually got to a point in his life where he was able to start training in a martial art. Mr. Smith only looked around for a very short period of time, because when he found the Quest Center (through a search of one Mr. Hayes’s books online) he came through the doors and never left. Mr. Smith enjoys the life skills, the training and the people he trains with. As of right now Mr. Smith is currently working towards achieving his kihon in Kenjustu. Mr. Smith looks forward to the many years to come as he grow as a person through this art.

Mr. Smiths life outside of the dojo consist of work, paintball and video games. His job title is Graphic Production Assistant at E&E Exhibit Solutions (a graphic and display designer for trade shows). Mr. Smith has been paintballing off and on for almost 10 years now. He played in one tournament last year called the SPPL (Scenario Paintball Players League). Scenario or Woodsball is played out in the woods with people wearing camouflage. Their gear is set up to be more military looking than sport. Mr. Smith has taken a lot of what he has learned in the dojo out to the paintball field.

"The way I move the way I crouch and the way I stalk is all based off of my foot work, rolling and “stealth” walking that I’ve learned while training at the Quest Center".

When he's not working, training or recovering from a day of paintballing you can find him at home in front of the TV playing on Xbox live or on his computer playing World of Warcraft.