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Why We Chose to Focus on Progress, Not Promotions, for Our Young Martial Artists

In Uncategorized by Mike Oliver1 Comment

I just read an article about an 8-year-old earning their 3rd degree karate black-belt. Let’s face it. In the eyes of the uninitiated public, the karate black-belt is a joke, and for good reason. For decades, martial arts school owners have gotten the advice of “industry consultants” that have prioritized profits over teaching. Some of these high profile consultants literally …

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Lucas Grant: Week 10

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant1 Comment

I recently finished “the Book of Five Rings” by Miyamoto Musashi recently and it was one of the most interesting books I’ve ever read. I’ve never really read a book surrounding philosophy, so at the beginning it was kind of hard to consume and understand. But over time, page after page I realized I was taking in the knowledge that …

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Lucas Grant: Week 9

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant2 Comments

Following finals week, school is always pretty chill and easy. My schedule that was once super busy is now starting to settle down, there is still a lot to do but it is a lot more manageable. But one thing that is going to eat up my February is something for my school called the personal project. I attend the …

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Lucas Grant: Week 8

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant2 Comments

Finals are over, I did pretty well. I ended off the semester with straight A’s and in turn a 4.0 GPA. So that’s pretty awesome, I’ve been trying to hold a 4.0 for a while and I’ve been able to since 8th grade (I’m in 10th now). Now in high school it really matters because grades are what colleges look …

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Lucas Grant: Week 7

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant3 Comments

Finals week is coming up so that means hitting the books and studding a bunch. I have 7 classes and the only one I don’t have a final in is P.E. so that means I have to do 6 finals, how fun. I think the scariest one that I am facing is my physics final. This final sums up all …

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Lucas Grant: Week 6

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant2 Comments

I got to witness Dirk and David’s black belt test which was both very interesting and terrifying all at the same time. It was amazing to see all of the support the dojo brought to help out Dirk and David, even people from other dojos coming in to support them. The dojo was probably the most packed I’ve even seen, …

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Lucas Grant – Week 5

In Uncategorized by Lucas GrantLeave a Comment

As it nears the end of Christmas break talk of school floats around and that dreaded feeling sinks in that the 2 weeks off that at first seemed so long are coming to an end. But that also means I can get back into a routine, and that will help give me some peace of mind. To get my miles …

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Lucas Grant – December Recap

In Uncategorized by Lucas Grant3 Comments

I started my test December First 2022, this is how its been going. Just like Dirk and David my goals are the same, 50,000 push-ups, 50,000 sit-ups, 1000 acts of kindness, 1000 rounds of sparing, 15 minutes of mediation everyday, read 6 books, 1000 repetitions of a single kata, and my 1000 mile journey. And I think that if I …

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OneHeart Challenge – Week 1

In OneHeart Challenge, Uncategorized by David Brezinski4 Comments

“Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.” Joshua J. Marine One day at a time…I have to remind myself. Our Black Belt requirements are daunting; not for the weak-minded and only the strong (heart, mind, body & spirit) need apply. Over a 1-year period, 50k pushups and crunches, 1,000 reps of a single …