Grandmaster and Shin Gahn Do Founder Rocky Emily is 54 years old (2007) and has been training since he was 5. Master Rocky Emily has had 40 yrs. experience in at least 25 styles of Martial Arts. He has a teaching degree in 12 of them. 5 Karate systems, 17 styles of Kung Fu, Judo, Jujutsu, 2 styles of Aikijujutsu, Thai Kick Boxing, X Special Forces Instructor, two times World Champion undefeated in no holds barred full contact fighting open weight class.

Shin Gahn Do was created by Grandmaster Emily in 1973. He created it because he found out in real combat that alle systems that he had ever studied had many weak points. He also found out that if combined each weak point would be covered by the other system. It was one of the first Mixed Martial Arts taught in the US.

Master Emily combined:
- Okinawan Karate: For its strength.
- Shaolin Gung Fu: For its flexibility, speed and agility.
- Judo and Jujutsu: For their powerful throws and ground work.
- Wrestling: For its ability to escape from holds very fast.
- Aikijujitsu: For its stand up evasion and throwing.
- Thai Kick Boxing: For its brutality with their knees, elbows and leg kicks.
- Tae Kwon Do – For their multitudes of kicks but added more focus on power.
- Boxing: For endurance.

Shin Gahn Do World Headquarters is in Kansas City, Missouri, USA.