06/07/2026
I wrote this 10 years ago:
Instructors need instructors (Master):
Now that I've got a few minutes to reflect on this crazy week of training, teaching and organizing a seminar, I'd like to talk to black belts, instructors and school owners about a topic that became very clear to me recently. ALL instructors need instructors or a Master. Meaning, they need someone to train, mentor, council and motivate them through their Instructor's/Master's training and experiences. I was once a member of a good organization where I was the Nevada and later Michigan State Director for many years ago. I was a 3rd Dan and didn't train directly under a Master Instructor due to being several states away from my instructor's H.Q. school. I was younger and had began to have a little bit of an ego (toxic pride). In my mind, I thought to myself "My training is getting boring. All I'm now doing is learning another new form and that is it." Well, later I got stationed in California and finally had the opportunity to join the USTF/ITF. I've always wanted linage with General Choi Hong Hi and this was my way of doing that. Within only 6 months of training with the USTF/ITF, I found myself learning more in 6 months than I had in the past 3 years combined. Note: I was running my own clubs and felt pretty comfortable with my knowledge and abilities. My training had gone way beyond what I thought it could have. It was funny how my comfortableness state of mind and training became my own personal down fall. Many senior ranking people in the martial arts all around the world has done this at one point or another. I just recently promoted to 7th Dan (Thank you friends, family and supporters) and was able to visit with a true Master (Master Peter Sanders). We had many conversations and his mentorship and council has inspired me to move my training in a new/different direction. Now, in the past, we had to travel or pay to have them come see us. This is STILL important because it helps with building the instructor/student relationship/bond, but we also have technology to help. Example: Skype and Facebook video sessions could be an option.
If you're a school owner or black belt and don't have someone mentoring, training, counseling or motivating you, I recommend you find someone. It's vital to your growth as a martial artist and as a school owner.
Final Note: Finding a good instructor/master takes time. Do your homework and ensue they have the training and credibility to be that role model you need.
