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In 1970, a young man I worked with asked me and a few others if we were interested in learning the martial arts. I told him that I had some training but that I was interested in learning more.
My friend introduced me to Sifu (teacher) Alan Carter. It was with him that I began my training in KaJuKenBo. KaJuKenBo is a form of martial arts that is fast, hard and direct. It is a style that can be applied to everyday street situations. I had finally found the art for which I had been searching.
The classes were punishing and hard, and I would go home with bruises, lumps and bumps. It was the most grueling training imaginable. The classes lasted two hours a day, and then I'd go home and work out another two hours. On the weekends I would train sometimes as long as twelve hours at a time, kicking until I couldn't move my legs and punching until my knuckles would swell up and bleed. There were times when I didn't think I'd survive the training but I wasn't going to quit.
When I showed my teacher my bruised and bloodied hands he used a Chinese herb to help heal them. I was astonished at how quickly the pain left my hands and even more so at the speed with which they healed. After my hands had fully recovered my teacher gave me another Chinese herb, Dit Dow Jow, to use on my hands prior to working out.
Nineteen months after I began my formal training I earned my first degree black belt. At my promotion ceremony my teacher told me, "You are Sifu (teacher) now."
A true Sifu is a healer, and I had to learn to heal my students of their injuries.
In 1973 I began teaching KaJuKenBO under my own school name, "The KaJuKenBo Self Defense Club." In 1982 I hosted the school's first Karate tournament. There was a record turnout.
I set out on my next quest to cultivate my interest in Chinese herbs and medicine. I went after Chinese medicine with the same enthusiasm as I did my martial arts training. I read everything I could get my hands on: books on Chinese herbs, Oriental diagnosis, reflexology, massage, Shiatsu and acupuncture. My learning and research resources were limited, so I sought out traditional Chinese doctors to study with.
From them I was able to hone skills in massage, acupressure, acupuncture, Oriental diagnosis, foot reflexology and nutrition. Applying the principles and theories of acupuncture, I developed my own massage technique that utilized the meridians in the body. I developed a skillful touch with my reflexology, which became my calling card. Ultimately, I gained the nickname "Doc."
My reputation as a natural healer began to circulate through health clubs, salons and hotels. In 1980 I was asked to speak to a rotary club about the benefits of herbs, massage, acupuncture and exercise. After the lecture an elderly man approached me and asked if I'd look at his wife. His wife, 73 years old, had a hip replacement and was unable to walk without a cane. She was in constant pain. I scheduled an appointment with her at one of the health clubs at which I worked. The club staff, mostly chiropractic students, watched the gentleman bring his wife in for her appointment. She was limping and walking with a cane, leaning on her husband.
When we went into the exam room, the woman's husband told me that she would faint at the sight of a needle. I told her to lie down, close her eyes and relax.
I used 17 acupuncture needles on the lady and left them in her legs and hips for 45 minutes. It wasn't until I removed the last needle from her that she asked if I was using needles on her.
The woman got up from the table and walked out of my office. To the amazement of the staff at the club, she did this without her cane or the assistance of her husband, pain free.
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In 1992 I taught self-defense techniques at the Working Woman's Survival Show. From that same year through the present I have worked as a security consultant and as bodyguard in the executive protection field.
In or about 1992 my teacher, Alan Carter, began studying Shawnee Indian herbal medicines. I saw a large similarity between the two principles of Chinese and Indian herbs. In 1995, I took a full interest in Indian medicine.
Because of my background in Chinese healing the Indian herbs came to me quickly. I have found Indian herbs to be equally effective in healing.
I continue to teach the martial arts privately to selected students. In my career as a martial arts teacher I have promoted 24 students to the rank of Black Belt. Some of my students have gone on to become instructors, train world-class fighters, and promote numerous other students to Black Belt status themselves.
In 2000, John Earls, a video producer, submitted my video on women's self-defense to the Telly Awards. It won. To the best of my knowledge, it is the only martial arts training video to ever receive this award. For those unfamiliar with the Telly, it is the highest non-theatrical award in the world.
No one knows what the future will bring. For myself, I will continue to help people through teaching and healing.