Pina Colodas, Getting Stuck in the Rain (not into Yoga). Ha Ha!

Seriously, Spending Quality Time with the Fam', Target Shooting and, of course, TKD.

Currently ranked as a Bodan and, hopefully, will be testing for my 1st Dan this coming November.

I have participated in 2 tournaments, so far; competed in Creative Poomse and Sparring. One Silver and 2 Bronze Medals.

Best Spirit Award: December, 2006

Student of the Month: April, 2008

Some Praise and Worship, Country, Bluegrass, Western, Jazz, Classical, and some Classic Rock and Pop. No Rap or Heavy Metal!

Let's just suffice it to say that I'm a voracious reader.

[ View All Entries ]

My martial arts journey began in the year 1994 when, on my first day on the job in the County Jail, I saw a fellow officer get jumped and viciously attacked by a violent inmate. Sadly, I found myself woefully unprepared to work in such a violent environment. My previous Military experience was no help since all I was taught as far as defending myself was how to shoot various firearms and and how to do a few bayonet drills; two options that were not available to me working in a detention facility. My only martial arts experience was watching the "Karate Kid" and a few Steven Seagal movies.
The next day or so, I drove to a Dojo located just a few blocks from where I was living and, after a brief discussion and tour with the owner, I joined up. It was here that I was introduced to and started learning the arts of Tang Soo Do, Hapkido, Brazilian Jujitsu and some Escrima. Also, during this time, I learned some basic Koga Method (Aikido) throught some state mandated corrections officer training.
However, as time progressed and as I became more comfortable in my job, I started drifting away from my martial arts training. Getting reassigned to a better position and then getting married clinched it and I left the Dojo altogether.
In the year 1999, I left the Sheriff's Department and tranferred to the County Probation Agency and took a job as a Juvenile Corrections Officer and was assigned to the high security wing at the main Juvenile Hall. It was here I was reintroduced to Brazilian Jujitsu through the Gracie's GRAPLE program which was made a part of our officer safety program.
It was during my time as a Juvenile Corrections Officer that I made the most use of my Martial Arts Training. The facility I worked at, and the unit I was assigned to, was quite old, somewhat overcrowded, and woefully inadequate to contain the level of inmates we were required to supervise. Consequently, we were involved in numerous violent and dangerous confrontations that made full use of my current and past Martial Arts Training.
A year and one major injury later, I left the Probation Agency and packed up my family and moved to Colorado. For about two years, I worked as a youth counselor at a local trouble boys camp. Here I learned Cornell University's Therapeutic Crisis Intervention which appears to be a hybrid between low level martial arts and pyschology. All I really need to say about that is that it is a totally useless method and I believe it leads to more harm than any good it may do.
Things settled down and I got a job with a financing company here in town and got to spend more time with my family. One of my daughter's friends from Church was training in TKD at a school down the street from us and invited to a pizza party he won from winning so many student of the day stickers. My daughters and their other friends "ate it up" so to speak and loved what they were taught in those short couple of hours. Even I, who had gone into the school rather sceptically (thinking that there was not much to TKD) came out much impressed. I ended up signing up my oldest daughter and then, wanting to get back into martial arts, I joined up a month later myself. We are now in the Black Belt Club and are ranked as Bodans (deputy black belts). We hope to test for our Black Belts in November of this year.
The school we attend is great and really emphasizes the whole of TKD not just the sport. Repect is a priority of the school and the teachers don't make things easy on us. Also, all the staff are great with the kids.
Personally, I am in better shape than I have been in a long time and I have lost over 60+ pounds. The classes are also great stress relief.
I encourage any of you to visit any one of our three schools if you are visiting in the Colorado Springs area.

I am a happily married, 41 yoa Guy with 2 beautiful daughters. I am a US Army and Operation Desert Storm veteran and have also worked as a corrections officer in both the Adult and Juvenile justice systems.

My family and I moved to Colorado Springs in 2000 and I am currently employed as a "Skip Tracer" for a major financing company.

Currently, I train in TKD with my older daughter and hope to have my youngest eventually participate.

My beautiful wife is content to watch me from the sidelines.

United States Taekwondo Center, Colorado Springs, Co

*Founded by 1988 Olympic Coach and Grandmaster Sang Chul Lee (also former President of the USTU and current President of the US Taekwondo Federation)

School Website: www.martialartscoloradosprings.com

US Taekwondo Federation Website: www.ustaekwondofederation.com

This is a WTF affiliated school.

Style/Influence: Jidokwan

My current instructor/Sabumnim:
Master Sammy Pejo @ the USTC North Dojang

[ View All My Images ]