Everyday Martial Artist

Larry Tatum began his study of Kenpo Karate in Pasadena, California in 1966, and has become one of this style’s most prominent figures. Recognized for his captivating seminars and articulate explanations of his art. Tatum enjoys a reputation as a gifted instructor and “teacher of Black Belts.” His forte is helping others reach their maximum potential through Kenpo karate. In 1984...

Bill Lucas is an educator, an actor, an author, a podcaster, and improvisationist, a baseball mascot/celebrity and so much more. Bill is also a Martial Artist. I hope you enjoy his story. ‎Improvise Your Way Through Life on Apple Podcasts

Glenn is a Associate Professor at North Dakota State University with a Ph. D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics. He also is one of only 134 people to receive the rank of Black Belt from legendary instructor Ralph Castro in the art that he founded. I hope you enjoy his story. Ralph Castro’s Shaolin Kenpo Black Belts

Shawn is a speaker, trainer, podcaster, author and a Marine. He is a international expert in dramatically improving the performance and profitability of organizations. Shawn has also been studying martial arts for most of his life. I hope you enjoy his story. Bulletproof Selling – Systemizing Sales Success (bulletproof-selling.com) Shawn Rhodes, Speaker And Business Systems Engineer | Shawn Rhodes...

Mary completed the Groundlings’ core improvisation program and graduated from the Conservatory Program at Second City Hollywood. She has also trained at the Guthrie Theater and performed with Comedy Sportz in Minneapolis. She enjoys playing a wide range of characters in both comedic and dramatic roles, frequently cast in roles that require a high aptitude for physical comedy. She has al...

Jonathan Pritchard is a public speaker, trainer, mentalist, author, podcaster and talks about what he calls Strategic Laziness. He is also a martial artist. Check out the links below to learn more about Jonathan after you enjoy his story. Jonathan Pritchard ⋆ Mentalist, Speaker, Trainer, and Author https://ELITE.University

Doug works at the University of Rhode Island as a high energy extragalactic astrophysicist with a primary focus on supermassive black holes. He also works on radar tracking of migratory birds in wind farms. Doug also owns a hobby farm where they raise many fruits and vegetables as well as numerous small animals. He has also studied martial arts for over 25 years and holds a 3rd Dan Black Belt in T...

Dr. Mark Cheng is the creator of K3 Combat Systems. He is an author and a contributing editor for Black Belt Magazine. Mark has been involved in numerous martial arts for most of his life. I hope you enjoy his story. Learn more about Mark on his website. Homepage – Dr Mark Cheng – Move Live Feel Better Here is the book he recommended on the show. Swish of the Kris, the Story of the Mor...

My guest this week is Melanie Gibson. Melanie is an author, blogger and martial artist. Her blog is called Little Black Belt (link below) and her new book is titled Kicking and Screaming (link below). I hope you enjoy her story. Little Black Belt: a Martial Arts Blog – Life lessons from a Tae Kwon Diva and Master in the making. Amazon.com: Kicking and Screaming: A Memoir of Madness and Marti...

Michael Dillard literally grew up in the world of martial arts. His father founded Century Martial Arts and Michael is currently the President of Black Belt Magazine and the Vice President of Century. I hope you enjoy his story. Black Belt Magazine Century Martial Arts Supply | Martial Arts Uniforms & Gear | Martial Arts Supplies | Martial Arts Equipment | Punching Bags | Wavemaster | BOB Body...

Stevie is a successful improv comedian, keynote speaker, corporate trainer, entertainer, author, husband, and stepdad. He is equal parts entertainer and educator. Stevie also holds 4 black belts. Enjoy his story. Stevie Ray – Stevie Rays Comedy Check out the books that Stevie has authored Products Archive – Stevie Rays Comedy

Jere Hilland is a NRA Instructor, Training Counselor, Chief Range Safety Officer, a master woodworker, a musician and even dabbles in Astronomy. Master Hilland also has over 46 years experience in the martial arts. Listen to his story. jrhilland.com (hapkidoselfdefense.com)

Sensei Tim Kiel has been involved in the martial arts for over 49 years. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan in Shotokan Karate and is the head instructor of Central Minnesota Karate. Tim was my second ever martial arts instructor. Enjoy his story. CMK | Home (centralmnkarate.com)

Jon Engum is a 7th Dan Kukkiwon Certified Taekwondo Grandmaster with over 40 years experience practicing and teaching Taekwondo. He own and operates Engum’s Academy of TaeKwonDo in Brainerd, MN. Jon is currently the president of the Minnesota Tae Kwon Do Association. Jon is the author of  the  Flexible Steel  and  Trembling Shock  books, Creator and Chief Instru...

Chris has been studying karate for 24 years and has achieved the rank of 4th Dan black belt and the honorific title of “Renshi”. Learn what piqued his interest in the martial arts and what styles he has been involved in. Listen to Chris tell his story. Ōkami Karate Dojo – New Haven – Self Defense, Karate, Martial Arts (okamikaratedojo.com) The Surprise Blade I: A Comprehens...

Rick Avery is an award winning Stuntman, Stunt Coordinator, Actor, Director, Author, Photographer, Helicopter Pilot, Aerial Coordinator with over 700 feature film, television and commercial credits. He is also a 7th degree black belt in American Kenpo. Rick is a four-time World Champion Masters Boxing Champion winning the USA Masters National Title in 2015 and 2016 and two more reti...

The man I dubbed “The Nicest Guy In MMA”. Brock Larson grew up near Brainerd, MN and started competing in wrestling at a young age. Find out how Brock went from small town midwest wrestler to the WEC, UFC and ONE FC. I hope you enjoy Brock’s story on this weeks episode. St. Cloud Martial Arts & Fitness | Start Brazilian Jiujitsu MN (startbjjmn.com)

Melissa Moses is the founder, owner and chief instructor of Nicola Valley Muay Thai and Self Defense. Hear about the high and low points and what it took to get to where she is today. Listen to her amazing and inspiring story and what she is doing to help indigenous women and girls. (4) Nicola Valley Muay Thai | Facebook Nicola Valley Muay Thai (@nicola_valley_muay_thai) • Instagram photos and vid...

What’s it like to grow up with martial arts royalty as your father? What was it like to be on the inside watching as your father redefined martial arts. Even better… What is it like to be the person who could be responsible for redefining self defense and do something even more revolutionary than his father? Hear the answers to these questions and many more in my wonderful chat with wo...

The name Fred Ettish may not be instantly recognizable to some, but die hard MMA and UFC fans should know the name. From getting involved in traditional martial arts at a young age to deciding to take his skills to the Octagon of UFC 2 in 1994 and up to his comeback in the cage over a decade later and beyond. Listen to my interview with Fred Ettish.

Dylan Spicer is the owner of the Academy of Combat Arts in Fargo, ND. He was an accomplished MMA fighter himself with a career record of 7-0 and has sent numerous students to major events like the UFC & Bellator. Listen to my interview with Dylan. Fargo Mixed Martial Arts Gym – Academy of Combat Arts (fmaca.com)

My guest this week is an technology executive, an author, in 2013 she was on the Forbes list of “40 women to watch over 40” and if all of that isn’t enough she was also the first American to win gold at the World Judo Championships. Please enjoy my conversation with AnnMaria De Mars. Dr. AnnMaria De Mars – 7 Generation Games Amazon.com: Winning on the Ground: Training and T...

Grandmaster Jim Grimestad has over 42 years of experience in traditional Tae Kwon Do. He is currently the head instructor and owner of Red River Traditional Tae Kwon Do in Fargo, ND. Jim holds the rank of 8th Degree Black Belt. Jim is the founder of Ko-Online.com and also founded the Fargo Open Championships which is a yearly open martial arts tournament that uses modified WTF rules and also hosts...

James DeMile is an American martial artist and author, he was among the first group of students of Bruce Lee, whom he met in 1959. In 1963, DeMile appeared in Lee’s only book, The Philosophical Art of Self Defense. He is an inductee in the AMAA Who’s Who in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame and Black Belt Magazine Hall of Fame. Listen to James tell his story about meeting Bruce, boxing in the military...

Barry Carl was known around the world as the Bass singer for the a cappella group Rockapella. He was featured on the long running PBS series Where In The World Is Carmen Sandiego and the Spike Lee special Do It A Cappella. He is also a professional voiceover artist whose voice has been heard representing such companies as Taco Bell, Doritos, Nickelodeon and more. What many of his fans don’t...