I began studying Isshinryu on Jan 9, 1989 at the Karate School of Nashville. Butch Hill was my chief instructor, but coming up through the ranks, I had several instructors, including Tony Williams, Sandra Strong, and Chip Roney. I received my sho-dan (1st degree black belt) in 1992. I am currently a Go-dan (5th degree), which I received in December of 2014.
I had the honor of competing on 3 IIKA fighting teams.We won three team fighting championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007 in Bayonne, NJ.
In order to expand my knowledge and experience of wrestling, grappling, and overall fighting, I fought three amateur MMA fights in 2008 and 2009.
I continue to further my knowledge of grappling and self-defense in order to be a better all-around karateka. In doing so, I want to be an instructor that can provide wide margins of knowledge to my students and fellow black belts.
My mindset is to provide students with applications of real life scenarios for them to confidently be able to protect themselves if ever necessary.