John Beagan started training at YMAA around 1996. He had developed an Achilles injury from competitive running, so he began training Taiji to help expedite his recovery. After the injury healed, John continued studying Taiji for a few more years before switching to Shaolin around 1998. In 2006, John became a regular assistant to the Kids Shaolin class on Saturdays. Soon after, John became the regular instructor for the Monday night adult Shaolin Kung-Fu class.

In 2004, John graduated from the New England School of Acupuncture. He currently works at the Children's Hospital in Boston as a phlebotomist. Additionally, he is pursuing a degree in Nursing.

For fun, John enjoys the outdoors, hiking and camping. He completed a Outward Bound Rock Climbing course in August 2007. In 2007, he competed in the Falmouth Sprint Triathalon and looks forward to doing it again in coming years.