07/13/2026
Martial arts is a major part of my life. Getting my black belt was a milestone to me like graduating high school, marrying my wife, my kids being born, graduating police academy etc.
I've never in one place thanked all my great martial art instructors so here it goes in order.
Lynn Sullenger Hapkido at Sikeston Moo Sul Kwan, Nathan Holden Krav Maga at Peak Performance, Nathan Henderson Kenpo Karate at Black Dragon Karate, Lawrence Fleming BJJ Krav Maga and Defensive Tactics, Fitness Plus MMA Coach Harper, Brian Imholz Gracie Jiujitsu, Doug Johnson Judo and Taekwondo at Cape Moo Sul Kwan, Tim Raftery Small Circle Jujitsu St Louis Defensive Arts, Mike Hester Universal Martial Arts and MMA at Christian Boxing Academy.
I've attended too many seminars to recall. Especially many with Grandmaster Leon Jay and several with Grandmaster B**g Yul Shin.
I'd like to give a special thanks to Master Nathaniel Henderson and Master Doug Johnson. Nathan gave me the keys to the kingdom and took me through all of it all the way to 5th degree black. I thought I knew everything to know, then Doug come in with real Judo and almost doubled my knowledge again.
Thanks to all of you! An extra huge thanks to Master Henderson and Master Johnson!
Doug said years ago it would be frowned upon for him to teach me as having multiple teachers wasn't accepted back then. I said years ago I would have lied to you that I wasn't training anywhere else so you would teach me anyways. 😂🤣
The closer I get to mastery the closer I get to realizing I don't know anything. The belt starts white and then up to black. After years of training that old black belt wears out back to white. That's actually a great analogy of how it goes.
I hope I get another 7 years in this adventure! Again.....thank you all so much!!!!!!!
