Began the Taekwondo era of my Martial Arts saga in April of 2000 with the ATA. Began helping instruct as a Purple Belt in 2001. Earned my 1st Degree Black in Feb.2003 and a Red Collar Instructor Trainee in May 2003 . Opened my school in June of 2003 at the request of my Instructor. Earned 1st level Instructor collar in Nov. 2003 and 2nd level in Dec. 2004. Tested and attained my 2nd Degree Black in Feb. 2005. Since that time I became more and more disillusioned with the ATA's direction. In mid 2007 I could no longer agree philosophically with the ATA and spent 8 months researching other organizations before we found our new home with the NPTA and I wish I would have made the change for our school 3 or 4 years ago. The leadership of our new family has brought the heart back to our Martial Arts Training and the SAGA continues......My 2 daughters and I will test for our 3rd Degree in Oct.

Jackson Browne, The Eagles, CSN, The Who, Genesis, U2 just about anything except Rap, Disco, Heavy Metal and Old Time Country.

Awaken The Giant Within by Tony Robbins
The Secret Power Within by Chuck Norris
The Power of Positive Thinking

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I was born in Ohio and moved 9 times in the next 12 years. I claim Lynchburg, Va. as my home because that's where I spent the most time growing up(1969 to 1980). This is where I started my Martial Arts journey in 1969 with Isshin Ryu. After graduating from High School in 1975 I went to Marshall University where I became involved with a group doing what they simply called Thai Boxing. Had no idea what I wanted from college and quit after the first year. Went back to Lynchburg and trained briefly with a friend who taught me the hand to hand tactics the Special Forces had taught him until I became a Manager in Training for a large Retailer and moved to Richmond VA. I went for a walk one day at lunch as I often did to relieve some stress and as I walked beside the store I happened upon one of my employees, a Japanese student at a local University defending himself against three armed men, it was poetry in motion. After a few days of begging he agreed to teach me what he called Ki Akikai as long as I didn't tell anyone else. I have played a lot of sports and done a lot of stupid things to cause my body pain, but I'm here to tell you I have never been so sore as I was that first month of training with him. The next eight months of training provided monumental growth in my life. Do to this growth the next year and a half was a very challenging time. I moved back to Ohio in 1980 to go to College at Miami of Ohio because I had relatives in Cincinnati and needed to get away from a volatile failed relationship before I ended up in prison for the rest of my life (you know, the stupidities and growing pains of youth). While at Miami I became heavy into weightlifting and competitive Bodybuilding. One of my training partners suggested I also train in Kenpo with them to help keep the muscles more limber, sounded like a good idea to me. I graduated from Miami in 1984 with a Degree in Sociology (Social Work Minor) and set out to change the world. I began working in Residential Treatment Centers for Neglected and Abused Children where I met my wife of 21 years (Ann). We have lived in Northern Kentucky now for 20 years and have 3 beautiful daughters who continue to amaze me every day. The oldest one gets the credit for me finally sticking with one style long enough to get to Black Belt after jumping from style to style for 31 years. She is a 2nd Degree Black Belt "A" student who manages to also play Soccer for her school and run our Tiger Cub program. She also managed to find the time to be the Ky.State Champ in Sparring in 2007. The middle daughter is also a 2nd Degree Black Belt "A" student who played Soccer, Volleyball and Basketball last year while also helping at our School. She has more natural talent than the rest of the family combined and if I was just her Instructor instead of her Dad, she would probably be a World Champ. Of course, I'm not biased or anything. The youngest had a rough start being born 3 months early at 1 lb. 8 oz. but she sure doesn't show any ill effects now (thank God) and I wish I could bottle her energy. Her nickname is the "Energizer Bunny", she just keeps going and going and going. She is presently at Brown Belt and absolutely loves to Spar. We strongly encourage families to train together because the Quality time with your children can't be replaced once it's gone and they definitely grow up way to quick.

Warman's Martial Arts Academy
Crittenden, Ky.
www.warmansmartialarts.com