I started my training back in 1985 under the guidance of Sensei Wren and the Borrell Karate Academy in Isshin-Ryu karate. I always wanted to learn the martial arts. When I was in school i used to sign out books on karate and try to train myself but learned very quickly that this is one of those sports that you just can not learn without proper guidance. So at the age of 15 I started my life long journey to become a master of the arts. After receiving my Black Belt in 1992 from Shihan Borrell I continued my training by exploring other styles to combine with my current style. I have backgrounds in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, full contact kickboxing, Judo, aikido, aikijitsu, kyokushin, iaido, kobudo. I believe that you can learn from any style and the more I know the more I can pass on to my students. So 39 yrs later here I am, 8th Dan in Isshin-Ryu karate, 3rd Dan in Goju karate and 2nd Dan in Kobudo. And no matter how far I go in the martial arts or what rank I acheive I will never forget Sensei Wren, he will always be my sensei. I have been associated with the Okinawan Isshin-Ryu Karate Association, Traditional Martial Arts Association and now currently have joined with my head instructor, Grand Master Shihan Borrell and the Borrell Karate Academy Association out of Batavia, NY.
I Started teaching my own students out of the basement of my house back in 1997. I moved in 2000 and continued teaching in my family room. In 2001 I decided to start teaching kids from the age of 5 to 10. I only had enough room for 10 kids and my class quickly filled up. I then realized I needed to open an academy. At the time my daughters were taking dance classes at a local studio and the owner was very generous and let me use the studio on Friday nights. My class size grew very rapidly so I decided to build my own academy. In 2004 it was up and running. I was able to train more nights a week with classes for kids, teens and adults. I started working with the local police department and offered free coarses to the officers. At the end of 2004 I went trough some serious life changes and in early 2005 i was forced to close my academy. I never stopped training myself knowing that someday I would open back up, bigger and better. That day has come and I now run a 3 story fitness center with my hopes of offering various forms of fitness and training to accommodate men and women, children and adults.
