Master Jim Ladis was born and raised in Chicago. He started training in Modern Arnis and Ryukyu Kempo in November 1990 under one of Grandmaster Remy A. Presas’ senior students and dear friend, the late George Mazek.

In 1995, Master Jim decided, after playing around with Judo, JuJitsu, Aikido, Hapkido, and other forms of Karate, to focus 100% of his martial arts training on Remy A. Presas’ Modern Arnis.

This was the beginning of a wonderful journey for Master Jim. He followed Grandmaster Presas (Professor) around like a kid chasing candy. He was always eager to learn as much about Modern Arnis as possible, and share what he learned with others. Master Jim was fortunate to be accepted as a direct student of Professor at this time.

Master Jim was also fortunate to train privately and semi-privately with Professor from 1995 to 2000. Of course, a great deal of the semi-private training was with Master Jim's fellow Masters of Tapi-Tapi—Chuck Gauss, Gaby Roloff, Randi Schea, Ken Smith, and Brian Zawalinski. This was a great time in Master Jim’s life. Traveling around the country to as many of Professor’s seminars and camps as possible and maxing-out credit card after credit card along the way. It was worth it!

The most precious time for Master Jim was when he found himself training privately with Professor in a hotel room somewhere along the way. Master Jim would say, “Dere’s nothin’ better than getting’ smacked around by da Professor!” At times, Professor or Master Jim would accidentally hit a lamp or the TV in the hotel room with their sticks, and Professor would always say, “Jim! You will be the one to pay for that!” Equally precious was time spent sitting around watching the Discovery Channel, as Professor loved animals.

In 2000, Professor awarded Master Jim with the title “Master of Tapi-Tapi” which Professor considered the highest level of achievement in the art of Modern Arnis. Tapi-Tapi, which means “counter-counter,” was Professors’ prized creation. He considered Tapi-Tapi to be the heart of the art of Modern Arnis. At the same time in 2000, Professor asked the Masters or Tapi-Tapi to take over his official organization—the International Modern Arnis Federation (IMAF, Inc.).

Master Jim began formally teaching Modern Arnis in 1993. He called his group Modern Arnis Chicago. Master Jim is currently focusing on spreading Remy A. Presas’ Modern Arnis in Chicago and the Chicago suburbs with the help of the dedicated Modern Arnis Chicago instructors, students, and friends. Master Jim also remains an active IMAF, Inc. instructor and member.