In pursuit of enhancing their daughter Hayden’s focus and well-being, Amy Trujillo and her husband Mario Trujillo explored various options. Drawing upon Mario’s martial arts background, they enrolled Hayden in a program to evaluate her interest and the potential benefits. Consequently, Mrs. Trujillo embarked on her own martial arts journey as a supportive mother, encouraging her daughter from the sidelines.

Mrs. Trujillo noticed her husband’s enthusiasm and willingness to assist Hayden during training. She suggested that he join Hayden, as it had been several years since he had trained and harbored a desire to resume. Her husband agreed, and proposed that they train together as a family.

Initially, the prospect of training had not crossed Mrs. Trujillo’s mind. However, she envisioned it as an enjoyable means of maintaining fitness and fostering family bonding.

Due to limitations at their daughter’s current school, the Trujillos sought a more suitable institution. After evaluating several schools, they found none that aligned with their family’s requirements. Disheartened, Mrs. Trujillo suggested that her husband and daughter continue their training without her.

Her husband’s desire to train as a family prompted him to conduct a research endeavor to identify reputable American Kenpo Karate schools with experienced instructors and curricula. Drawing upon his prior training in this style, he was confident that it would resonate with Hayden and provide a conducive learning environment. He visited the American Institute of Kenpo (AIK) and engaged in a thorough conversation with Andrew Pilch, the Founder, Owner, and Head Instructor. Mr. Pilch shared his extensive experience, lineage, philosophical principles, and approach to the martial arts, leaving her husband highly impressed.

Influenced by his encounter with Mr. Pilch, Mrs. Trujillo’s husband enrolled the two of them in orientation classes to assess the program’s efficacy. Mrs. Trujillo approached the classes with an open mind, and by the conclusion of the orientation session, she had identified her Kenpo home and family.

Mrs. Trujillo has developed a deep passion for the martial arts and dedicated herself to rigorous training, experiencing remarkable personal growth and advancement.

In 2017, upon her promotion to Brown Belt, Mrs. Trujillo was invited to participate in the Instructors Training Program. She subsequently assumed the role of assistant instructor for the Youth, Junior/Senior Beginner, and Intermediate rank classes. Through her emergence leadership and exceptional teaching abilities, she swiftly progressed into leading classes. Her personal touch fosters a strong bond with her students, particularly evident in the youth classes where our younger ranks thrive under her guidance.

Throughout her illustrious martial arts career, Mrs. Trujillo has been consistently recognized for her invaluable contributions. At the annual Awards Banquet, she has been honored with the prestigious titles of Black Belt of the Year and Instructor of the Year on multiple occasions. Her unwavering dedication and expertise have been instrumental in the resounding success of the American Institute of Kenpo.

Mrs. Trujillo attained her first degree Black Belt in 2018. She was subsequently promoted to the rank of second degree Black Belt in 2020 and achieved the rank of third degree Black Belt in 2023.

Her active participation in advanced sparring classes has enabled her to continuously refine her boxing, kickboxing, and Jiu-jitsu/MMA skills. Her competitive spirit, coupled with her exceptional control, makes her an invaluable training partner for individuals seeking a mutually beneficial sparring experience.

In 2023, Mrs. Trujillo was selected to join an exclusive group of instructors who embarked on a specialized training expedition to Albuquerque, New Mexico. The objective of this expedition was to equip AIK’s most dynamic instructors with the requisite training to effectively instruct the Smart Girl Self Defense™ Class, which was established by Heather and Mike Winkeljohn.

In 2024, Mrs. Trujillo assumed the position of primary instructor for the Smart Girl Self Defense™ Class in Tucson, Arizona.

The American Institute of Kenpo is honored to have Mrs. Trujillo as an alumnus and eagerly anticipates her future contributions as a student, instructor, and school director.

~ Last Updated 3/7/2025