I have been studying the martial arts since I was seven years old, so basically for 26 years now. That's over a fourth of a century. I started in Tae Kwon Do and currently have a 3rd Dan in TKD. After I received my 1st Dan in TKD, I moved into Hapkido, and earned a 1st Dan in that while continuing to work toward my 2nd Dan in TKD.
I have been teaching both TKD and Hapkido now for 14 years. I have taught at Gyms, at Air Force Bases, at Universities as extra-curricular, and as part of the physical education department for credit. I have designed and taught law enforcement defensive tactics courses for the last 11 years, 10 of which I was a law enforcement officer myself.
While in law enforcement I had the opportunity to begin learning Aikido, which benefitted my Hapkido skills greatly. I had many opportunities to test and use my martial arts skills. I have used those experiences to learn from. I took those lessons, and reduced my defensive tactics courses to the simplest techniques. Those that can be learned, and remembered in a single class session. I carried over this philosophy to the general self-defense, and women's self-defense courses that I have taught over the year.
The one area that I would like to improve in is ground fighting. While I can hold my own because of my skill in applying pain, chokes, and my limberness, I would like to form a better technique when it comes to ground fighting. Hopefully after I complete my 1st Dan in Aikido, I can switch gears yet again and focus on Jiujitsu.
I am married, happily now for the last 5 years. My wife is a wonderful woman. She is my main assistant in the video podcasts, and she is a trooper when it comes to the pain. She gives it well, but she can take it too.
I have just earned my Masters degree in Physics, and am now working as a shift supervisor/engineer/all around fix it guy for a large international company.
So that's me. Questions, just contact me with the link above.
Brian