J.C. BURKESMITH

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J.C. Burkesmith is an author, husband, salesman, taekwondo student, instructor and stroke survivor. Raised in Malibu, California, J.C.’s outwardly idyllic childhood masked a far more complex reality. As the youngest of four children in a highly competitive household, he struggled for approval amid relentless criticism and emotional wounds that would shape his life well into adulthood.

 Through profound personal reflection, faith, and martial arts perseverance, J.C. learned to confront his pain, reclaim responsibility for his thoughts and emotions, and pursue healing—for himself and within his family. His memoir series, The Matador and The Mustang, is a deeply personal exploration of suffering transformed into purpose, and a story of love, forgiveness, and personal renewal. In honor of his late mother, J.C. adopted his pen name by combining the first letter of his name with hers and blending his surname with her maiden name, a tribute that reflects both his roots and the redemptive journey at the heart of his work.