Intense self defense training is the medium I swim through to seek enlightenment.
I see the martial arts not as a set of disparate systems of thought and movement, but as a mountain of infinite height. The goal is not to reach the summit (by definition a mountain with infinite height has no summit!), but to spend a lifetime climbing with intensity and passion. The way is not a straight path; for me, the path is a network of trails that have often been steep, and at other times have left me lower on the mountain. My passion isn't the measurement of altitude, it is in the exploration of the topology of the mountain. I wish to survey as much of it's area as possible. This leads to growth, enjoyment, and a diverse balance.
My goals, in order are:
None of these goals appear spiritually deep, yet a committed and passionate approach to anything in life is spiritual.
As a senior in high school in the spring of 1983, I visited the campus of Syracuse University. All of the various university clubs had booths on the quad. I saw a demonstration of Hidy Ochiai's Wa Shin Ryu karate that day and was impressed by the precision and power of their kata and drills. I decided I would start studying karate with the club. It took me a year and a half at college to learn how to manage my time well enough to actually join the club! I began martial arts training in January of 1985 and have never stopped since.
Today, I own and teach at Austin Jiu-Jitsu, a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Submission Grappling, and Mixed Martial Arts gym in southwest Austin, TX.