I have been in the martial arts for over sixteen years. I began the Martial Arts because of the exposure to movies and television. It was about three months from the end of my seventh grade year at Kelly Jr. High School in Eastpointe Michigan when I asked my parents if I could start taking Karate lessons. My dad was all for it, my mother was not however. With a little more prodding, my mother agreed that if I achieved straight A's on my final report card, my dad and I could look for a school over the summer vacation. The agreement confused me because I was already a straight A student. That summer I started Karate just after I turned thirteen.

I am now thirty years young and it has been a long journey filled with unbelievable experiences and unexpected twists and turns. It all started in 1987 when I joined the United States section of the Zen Bei Butoku Kai (Martial virtues association). I quickly learned that Karate was not at all what I saw on film, it was hard work, hard work, and a little bit more hard work. What I learned that I didn't already know, I learned on the very first day; Karate begins and ends with respect.

That first day, I knew that the Martial Arts were for me. I jumped right in with both feet, attending all the classes I could, special events, extracurricular activities, as well as practicing on my own as much as I could. Through determination and hard work I progressed quickly. I participated in my first tournament as soon as my sensei (teacher) thought I was ready. My tournament career didn't start off so smoothly however; I lost the first six tournaments I attended. Luckily I attended my seventh tournament, which although I didn't win first place, I did take third. From that point I went on to win many competitions and competed all over the United States as well as Mexico and Canada. In 1991 I became a nationally rated competitor on the open circuit. The open circuit is where all styles, schools, and organizations can compete. I was rated third in men's adult weapons and sparring. However, my greatest accomplishment in the tournament world was becoming the three time National Butoku Kai Champion.

In 1991, I tested and passed my first-degree black belt exam. I started teaching shortly after my exam. Being an instructor of the Martial Arts teaches you many things about yourself, and others. What I learned about myself was that I wanted to teach Karate for the rest of my life. What I learned about others was that I could help them grow into confident and positive members of society through the teachings of the Martial Arts. I joined S.W.A.T. (students working as teachers), a group designed to teach Martial Artists to teach Karate. In 1994, I became the instructor for the S.W.A.T. team. In 1993 I tested for my second-degree black belt. Around the same time I started training in additional Martial Arts, including Tai Chi, Aikido and Arnis - a Phillipino stick fighting art. In 1994 a program named M.A.S.S. was formed. M.A.S.S. or Martial Arts specialty school was a curriculum for those who wanted to learn how to run and operate a Martial Arts business, I immediately signed up.1994 was also the year I was presented with my proudest achievement, Instructor of the Year. 1996 was the year I tested for my third-degree black belt making me the highest-ranking Butoku Kai member in Michigan. Since then, I have been honing my technical and teaching skills, developing the qualities needed to be a lifelong Martial Artist.

The Martial Arts have made me the person that I am today. I know my parents think it's the best thing that has happened to me. It gave me my character traits, things like honesty, humility, and perseverance. I also developed my code of conduct through the Martial Arts; respect, gratitude, and compassion are some of the codes I live by. The Martial Arts also have given me the most important discovery I could have ever asked for, my wife Darlene. We met in 1996,started dating in 1997, and married in August of 2001. She is my inspiration, my soul mate, and my life partner in the Martial Arts. I have gained so much from my quest, and there is a lot more for me to learn. I now feel it is my turn to give back, to become a mentor. I want to give guidance and encouragement to those who decide the martial arts is for them. I want to make available the same opportunities, and help others receive the same benefits that I have.