I began studying martial arts (close quarters combat) under my father in 1952.
I have logged over 41,000 teaching hours since opening my first school in 1965.
My highest current rank is 8th Degree Black Belt (Okinawan Kenpo), I also
achieved Kyoshi (Grand Master Instructor) in 1988. I have attained Black Belts
in nine martial arts, and completed two combat tours in the Republic of Viet Nam.
I Co-founded the United States Black Belt Association (1970)and served as its president for 22 years,
and have developed and taught credit courses in both
self-defense and karate at four colleges.
In 1977, I was named to the World Karate and Jujitsu Union Hall of Fame
(Outstanding National Karate Instructor), and named to the premier editions of "Who's Who in Karate"
(1982), "Who's Who in American Martial Arts" (1984) and
"Masters, Founders and Leaders of American Martial Arts" (1985).
I also coached the 1999 Wu Lung Martial Arts Team that placed 6th in the world in power breaking and
self-defense (ISKA). I have studied with more than 30 martial
arts legends and am ranked under 12 of them.
I have instructed more than 24,000 students and promoted 60 to black belt, done
over 400 seminars, demonstrations and presentations on martial fitness, self-defense
and combative martial concepts, and have been the subject of more than 40
articles in various media concerning my exploits.
My writing experience includes 12 training manuals, several newsletters, articles,
reports, and am currently finishing a video tape (DVD) series on seated Tai Chi
and self-massage for the non-ambulatory student.
Certified Fitness Instructor (ACSM) (1984) and am currently registered to
test for the Certified Personal Trainer (ACE) in August of 2003, and pursuing
other clinical exercise certifications.
In 1994 I had an automobile accident which caused an impact to my hip. By the end
of 1997, I had bilateral total hip replacements. My rehabilitation was supposed to
take six months. It took five years. In January of 2001, at the end of both my
physical and mental rope, I began to use Tai Chi (taught to me by yourself and
Ying-arng Lee) Chi Gung, and my own devised exercises, to make a last attempt at rehab. At that point,
I weighed between 248 and 256 pounds. My blood pressure
was 168/120, resting pulse in 76 to 79 range, and cholesterol in the 312 range.
Blood sugar was running about 129. I looked bad, and felt worse.
I was 54 years old and looked 65.
By using Tai Chi I was able to lose 48 pounds in eight months, while achieving a
120/79 blood pressure, 54 resting pulse, 86 cholesterol, and 92 blood sugar.
I literally owe my life to Jesus Christ and Tai Chi.
I am spending a lot of time educating people about the wellness and restorative
aspects of Tai Chi. I am trying to develop training concepts and programs that
will help students over 45, and those populations with disabilities.