While I lived there, I was mugged one night while coming home. Life was challenging then and money was scarce. A man threw me on the sidewalk and took my money. He only managed to steal $20. The next day I went to find a place that would teach me to defend myself. I eventually decided to train at the Kyokushin school of Oyama in NYC. I was a bartender, waiter, actor, video store clerk, sold shoes, sold clothes, worked in kitchen and bath stores. I was on soap operas, and I was a professional Shakespearean clown. I made commercials and did stand up comedy. I was a filmmaker and a dancer. All the while I trained in Karate. I learned a great deal about myself. I did whatever I needed to, to survive.

After 10 years, I decided to leave and move to Los Angeles. One day, while looking for a job, I saw an ad in the paper for a Karate teacher that must be good with kids. I thought that it sounded like fun. I got the job and it changed my life. It turned out to be the greatest job I ever had. I loved doing it. I loved teaching the children. Loved meeting new people. I had found the job I was meant for, and after seven years of working for Dawn Barnes, I ventured out on my own.

In 2008, I opened Karate Families. And now here I am. My work at Karate Families is my life. Learning here isn’t like other places because I treat every student with gratitude and respect. I look forward to teaching each and every day. It is my mission to teach the values Karate has taught me.