Joey was first exposed to martial arts in 1988 and began teaching in 1999. Over the years he has taught at over a dozen sites including the world renowned Inosanto Academy in Marina Del Rey. His studies have taken him to China, Brazil, California, Japan and Hawaii. His enthusiasm for training opened the doors for both he and his brother Fritz to gain entry to Beijing's Temple of Heaven in 2013 as well as multiple situations that good sense would dictate be avoided. While training in Beijing, Joey has focused his efforts on Baguazhang, Li Style Taijiquan, Xingyiquan, Sanhuangpaochuiquan and Sanda.

Parallel to his Kung Fu practice, Joey maintains a close relationship with Oahu based Capoeira Mestre Kinha and holds the rank of Professor under Mestre Kinha.

Joey focuses his work at Flying Tortoise on maintaining an authentic martial arts curriculum that is inclusive and supportive of  the studio's diverse student base. 

Lineage

To date, Shifu Joey has brought three students back to Beijing with him to receive formal lineaged. These connections deepen the schools ties with the Beijing Kung Fu community and help to build a more robust and healthy school in the States.

Lineaged Flying Tortoise Students:

• Ian Johnson (8th generation Cheng BaGua under Master Joey Haber, 2024)

• Milo Albright (7th generation Cheng Bagua under Master Guan Xin, 2024)

• Chris Lum (6th generation Liang Bagua under Master Zhang Xuean, 2024 )

Martial Arts CV.

• 1988-1991: Aikido under Chris Mulligan and Okamoto Yoko

• 1997-2000: Okanawian Karate under Noel Cruz

• 2001-Present: Capoeira under Mestre Almero, Mestre Batata, Mestre Versátil and Mestre Cebola. Today he studies under Mestre Kinha of Capoeira Besouro Oahu.

• 2003- 2012: Baguazhang under Don Crone, John Bracy, Tony Costa and Kenny Gerret.

• 2007-2010: FMA/JKD under Dan Inosanto 

• 2013- Present: Baguazhang in Beijing under Shifu’s Lui Mengen, Zhang Xuean and Ni Ruohua

• 2015-Present: Taiji under Zhang Xuean and Derryl Willis

• 2015-Present: Sanhuangpaochuiquan under Wang Qi and Zhang Zongyi

• 2017-2020: Sanda under Ma Guohung

• 2020-Present ShuiJiao under Sonny Mannon

Teaching CV

• 1999-2001: Catlin Gabel (Portland, OR)

• 2001-2007: Claremont Colleges (Claremont, CA)

• 2006-2010: Ginga Arts 501(C)(3) (various schools in South Central LA)

• 2008-2010: Inosanto Academy (Marina Del Rey, CA)

• 2010-2012 River City Warriors (Tigard, OR)

• 2010-2012 SUN Program 501(C)(3) (various schools in Portland Oregon)

• 2013: Capoeira Besouro Japan (Kofu, Yamanashi, Japan)

• 2010-Present Flying Tortoise Academy (under various names until codification in 2016 Portland ,OR)