Q: Where were you born?
A: I was born in the Demorest, Georgia.
Q: When did you start your martial arts training? How old were you then?
A: I was 6 or 7 when I first was exposed to Martial Arts but did not start my formal training until I was 9, which was 1977.
Q: What inspires you to continue training? Was it difficult to remain inspired over the many years it took to reach the master level?
A: I am a history buff, so all the Great Grandmasters and Founders have always been an inspiration to me. We can’t even image what they had to go through to learn the martial arts.
Q: Was it difficult to remain inspired over the many years it took to reach the master level?
A: I have had some really good Instructors that set me on the right path. I love the martial arts with such a deep passion I stay inspired to continue to train and get better!!!
Q: What is your profession or trade outside of Tang Soo Do?
A: A. I am a full time Martial Arts Instructor but a part time Artist!
Q: What are some of your notable accomplishments in the martial arts field?
A: A. I have won a couple of National and International Championships in my career which were real milestones and achieving high ranks both in Tang Soo Do & Hapkido have been great!!
Q: What are some of your favorite memories of your time in Tang Soo Do?
A:Traveling with KJN ST JAMES on both the 2011 & 2012 TAC tours. Not only did we have fun but I learn so much from him both on and off the mat!
Q: How have the younger students you train today changed since you began your own training? Is their physical training better now? Do you feel that maybe their mental preparation is different today?
A: Things were so much tougher 35 years ago when I started. There was only one way of training and it was rough. Training today is much smarter and safer. Unfortunately I don’t feel that students today are as mentally prepared to deal with violent situations.
Q: Where do you find the path to growth in your training and practice? Is growth just a matter of simple of repetition?
A: I am always studying the past in order to discover better paths for our future leaders. Repetition is the mother of skill, but you only want to repeat what works, what gives you the best results.
Q: What is your favorite martial arts book? Why?
A: ZEN IN THE MARTIAL ARTS By Joe Hyams. Just so much inspiration and motivation!!!
Q: Have you ever traveled to abroad to enhance your training? What did you learn from the experience?
A: I traveled to Korea! I learned that we can be just as good as our Korean counterparts!!!
