The Backstory
I started out shy, living in a harsh environment that had only two seasons. Winter and July. :)
I had a very loving family, but we didn't have a lot of money. So, we all worked very hard to get ahead.
I struggled in school. In fact, I made 54 spelling mistakes on a test one day and the teacher asked me “if I was stupid or mentally retarded". How many of us have been put down by authority figures, killing our confidence?
After that the bullies showed up. Tormenting me almost daily about our living conditions.
I wanted to bullying to stop so I studied computers to make money and karate to get tougher. Deep down inside though, I never again wanted to feel ashamed by my living conditions.
The Journey
I worked very hard for years and got very good at computer programming. Though as hard as I worked, I wasn’t moving forward, and my peers were passing me by.
The old success formula wasn't working. Go to school, get a good degree, that leads to a good job, and then you were set for life. It wouldn’t ensure success or provide me with the success skills of the wealthy. The reality is that the Education System and Big Corporations focus on their profits, not on our quality of life.
I was frustrated with my inability to give my family the better life I wanted for them. Worse I started thinking; what if my kids had to though the shame I did as a kid?
On the positive side karate taught me some self-defense skills and made me tougher. This improved my confidence in myself and my abilities.
The New Opportunity
I got a new boss who was very successful as an elite athlete and now in his career. He had achieved all his goals from applying Tony Robbins success strategies. So, I bought the same program and within six months I got a promotion.
The most valuable part of the program though was a workshop to discover what made us successful in the past. To repeat the formula and produce even more success in the future.
I then discovered that everyone successful I knew had two things in common. First, they followed the success strategies received from coaching and personal development programs. Second, they built confidence through martial arts or similar activities.
That's when I decided to start my journey to create Success Coaching Martial Arts.
The Framework
I went on a mission to work with as many world-class mentors as I could find. I bought every book, self-help program, and went to every seminar. Often working one-on-one with some of the top success and martial arts coaches in the world.
I recruited my brother, and we built a framework of all the strategies that worked for us. To build confidence, achieve our goals and defend ourselves.
I applied the framework on myself and started seeing even better results. I got a promotion and a raise at work. I won two gold and two silver medals at our national karate championships. I was able to give my family the life they deserved, including some very special magic moments.
My brother did the same and ended up with the family and career he wanted. Friends used it to get promotions and advanced their careers.
Our students applied it and saw a wide range of results. From getting in shape, losing weight, and defending themselves from physical attacks. To getting better school grades and having more confidence in everyday activities. And the list goes on.
Achievement & Transformation
Along the way there were many bumps in the road that needed to be overcome. Loved ones dying, breakups, unforeseen financial burdens and career changes.
Though still on the journey I'm blessed with a great life. Family and friends, I love to spend time with. A business I’m passionate about. Working with an amazing team of instructors and dedicated students.
The most important part of the journey is the transformation of who I've become. More confidence in myself and my abilities, but also less focused on myself and more on the tribe I’m serving. So, they too create the safe and successful life they deserve.
In my tribe of friends and clients I call this transformation, becoming a "Budo Hero" (martial arts hero).
Now...