Sensei

Update: In October of 2021, I decided to step away from any thought, study, pursuit of my martial arts. In December of 2021, our beloved Grand Master Darrell Sarjeant, passed away due to complications from Covid. For those that knew him, had the pleasure of training with him, he was a force of good in this world.

I became a martial artist at a young age. Every kind of martial art I could get my hands on. Didn’t matter if it was in books, magazines, film, TV sporting events, etc., I studied boxing, many of the greats. I would practice jabs from both sides, and see how many I could get in 5 seconds.

In 2009, I began training with a multi-faceted martial artist, who trained my brothers. They all did security at local clubs. When we reconnected, I told him of my childhood dream to obtain a black belt, though I didn’t want to train in a class. Fear keeping me from the vision of training in a group, let alone teaching anyone.

I found a home in his MMA Fight school, FITE and his discipline of Stone and Water, training as a client, his student and early on as an instructor. After almost 2 years of teaching multiple MMA fitness classes a week, assisting with self defense seminars, fight camps, cornering a few MMA bouts, medaling in a 3 match OGC BJJ tourney, my own fight camp, MMA bout against a TKD BB, in front of 100’s of people at Belterra Casino, I was awarded the rank of First Dan, Senpai, (Teachers Assistant)

When this place closed, late 2013, a small satellite spot was opened but my instructor needed to take leave and I took on his clients. I soon started training people in a park by the Ohio River and then moved into my own space. Once there, I coached and cornered 3 fight for amateur exhibition boxing matches. We won! One fighter beat the Cincinnati New Recruit trainer who had won the fight of the night the year before. My client won the fight and fight of the night. I wrote and implemented my self defense workshops in local businesses.

I trained a multitude of clients in MMA Fitness and strength training sessions. Typically followed by 10-20 minutes of bag and mitt work.

After another almost 4 years, I sold all of my equipment and relocated to Long Beach, California.

In 2018 I received approval for my second belt based on the tasks my former instructor had given to me, the work I had done since 2011. In 2020, I was honored to formally receive my rank of Sensei (One who teaches), 3rd degree, by Grand Master Darrell Sarjeant, Ohana Self Defense International while attending a seminar in Vallejo, CA. Thank you Sir for the rankings and believing in me. 

More Coming Soon!