KARATE isn't a sport it’s a ways of life. It’s NOT a life of always winning first places at tournaments. It’s NOT a life of being able to beat somebody up.  It’s a life of respect. It’s a life of patience. It’s a life of discipline. It’s a life of humility. It’s a Beautiful Way of Life!!

Thank you to everyone who came out last night to watch and support Allie receiving her Blackbelt.  It was just as special for me as it was for her.  We missed several of our students, but we had an excellent crowd in attendance!!!  The Dojo was PACKED!!   It was such an HONOR to have BILLEE PURVIS attend and participate.   For those of you who don't know, Mr. Purvis taught me Karate when I was a White Belt!

Karate has been my life for the past 25 years and will be my life until I am laid to rest.

• One of the absolute most difficult journeys I have undertaken during this time is training my wife – Allison Pena.

Conquering the rank of BLACKBELT at The Karate Dojo is something that only three people have ever accomplished! Allie has been training for over 7 years (Since November 10, 2002) to obtain this goal. The test took 3 days (60 hours) to complete. She was locked inside the Dojo for 3 days!! Allie was tested on her strength, heart, and determination, along with the skills that have been taught to her for many years. Allie showed more heart and determination not only in the 3 days of her test but in the weeks and months leading up to her test than you could ever imagine. One of my goals on Blackbelt Test is to try to make the student think that they cannot do it, that they will not make it, that they will not survive - but Allie pulled together just like I had planned and as she has been trained from the beginning.

The body will go as far as the mind tells it to, and I have witnessed it firsthand.

This is real life and there is nothing precious to me than the Blackbelt.

THIS IS MY LIFE’S WORK, MY DREAM, AND MY MISSION.

I am so fortunate to have the staff and students that are here at The Karate Dojo to work with me to obtain this ultimate goal.

MY DEEPEST CONGRATULATIONS GOES OUT TO:  My newest Blackbelt – Allison Pena!