I began my journey in the martial arts around 1970, I trained in Kung Fu, and Kenpo Karate in the San Bernardino and Riverside areas.

In 1973, I became a student of Shotokan Instructor Sensei Ray Dalke (Riverside, Calif.) and this became the true foundation of my training in the martial arts and athletics. As I became more proficient in my Shotokan training, I was offered the opportunity to teach as a junior instructor in the school. From there this led to five years of operating and teaching the art of karate at the San Bernardino Uptown YMCA program and the beginning of teaching competition karate as well. I had a great deal of fun and success with the students at tournaments.

My next phase included operating and managing Sensei Dalke’s karate dojo in Riverside, Ca. This included a trip to the A.A.U. National Karate Championships in New Orleans, Louisiana, and bringing home multiple championships in kumite and kata. Again, a great learning experience and a lot of fun. During this period, I also had the privilege of training in the study of Judo with Sensei Robert Scarrano. This close, hands-on training was the beginning of an eye opener for me.

In 1993 I opened a small 800 square foot dojo in the city of Moreno Valley, Calif. The dojo was successful as a resource for martial arts in the community, and my students continued to achieve success in the world of Tournament Championships. Five years later, I moved the school to a 3,000 square foot facility and under the guidance of Sensei David Blair it continued to grow and blossom.

As time passed and I learned more about the community and my study in the martial arts continued, I learned about and became a licensee and certified instructor for an organization called Krav Maga Worldwide. The focus of this group was to combine, adapt and use selected martial arts skills (judo, Brazilian jujitsu, boxing, Muy Thai, and basic combat against weapons) in direct application for self-defense. In Krav Maga there are no kata or forms practiced, all energy and practice is directed toward physical combat. This was a great experience for me that augmented my physical skills in multiple ways. However, this training did not address the needs of my community to keep folks out of conflict.