Mission Shane Dawson Part 1

(Shane Dawson and me in NYC)

(Yup, he's a hugger, LOL)

When times were tough and nothing could get my mind of the things going on in my life, the only thing that made me laugh or smile was watching a Shane Dawson video on Youtube. Shane has an awesome story of his own of how he became a partner with Youtube, aspiring actor and film maker, and through his videos we got to know the real Shane also. From the time he got fired from Jenny Craig, to making 180 videos, to four different moves, his grandma dying, the accumulation of his pets, and his brother's CD release.

I made it a goal to meet Shane Dawson. I did not know how, I just knew I would. And I wanted to take it a step further from that! I wanted him to come to my school and do one of his videos at my center! Maybe a Karate Kid spoof? So when he posted a video about how he was going to see his friend's movie Archie's Final Project which was an intense movie in itself, I heard the bells of opportunity.

I wasn't going to let this pass me up. So I bought my ticket online for the movie, looked up the bus schedule to the city from the school, ended my cardio class a little earlier to make it, and Mission Shane Dawson commenced. (Insert Mission Impossible theme song HERE).

Bus was ON TIME. Awesome. I knew EXACTLY where the theatre was. I also checked with his agent to arrange a possible meet with Shane. He assured me he would be there along with his brother Jared and two actors from Archie's Final Project. I met a group of people waiting outside of the theatre who have been waiting since 6 they said and NO sign of Shane. I began feeling doubtful. I kind of tagged along and we walked outside, checked the Applebees next door, we saw nothing. Finally I decided to go to the actually theatre the movie would take place in. I met two film students from the the NY Film Academy who were ever so pleasant. And then, there he was. Shane Dawson himself!

I don't get to meet many celebrities, and Shane Dawson is quite the celebrity. MANY people came to see him, they even held the movie up while he was there. When I got my chance to meet with him he gave me a hug. He is a little taller than me, and he looks EXACTLY how he is in his videos. I told him about my school and the kids I taught and how they all love him and he was like "Aaaawwww." He was very kind, and really down to earth, but a little shy at the same time, which is kind of hard to imagine if you see any of his videos.

SO I had to bring up the dream of him possibly visiting my school, or go the step further of doing a video at TMAFC. He obviously did not come to the city to see ME, but it never hurts to ask and put the idea out there. He cannot visit TMAFC tomorrow because he, his brother Jared, and his friends from Archie had made previous engagements. Since he knew I was from New Jersey, he asked me if I have ever been to Hoboken and asked me about this particular bakery. I, in fact, knew exactly which bakery he was talking about since my friend bar tends only a block away. I told him it's worth the drive. Then the ideas of how he can come to New Jersey at a later time to make a video began to spark.

I got the chance to talk to his brother Jared who is beyond proud of his brother. He was very enthusiastic of the idea of maybe spending a weekend or longer in a few months with his brother for a video and vacation time. When I explained to Jared the story of MY dream of opening up a school and how I try to lead my students by example and meeting Shane and having him do this video was a way of getting them to follow their dreams, well Jared was even more enthusiastic. Mission Shane Dawson Part 2 will now be in session. All good things take proper planning though. Jared and I WILL make it happen!

Finally, after seeing the movie six times, Shane and Jared left with the actors after what looked like a long day for the two of them. Shane told me how he was at the Starbucks across the street eating Splenda to stay awake. (Don't worry, that is normal for him for anyone who watches his videos.) I was absolutely thrilled ot have finally met Shane Dawson, and the dream is not yet done! Only part one! Part two is in the making! I am kind of glad there was no visit today, because the bigger and better part of the dream can come true and will be a lot more worthwhile. But it just goes to show you! When you truly put that goal out there, and it becomes your dominant thought, you'd be surprised of how you can attract all you need for it to come true, as long as you are persistent and never EVER give it up!

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

A Silly Dream

 Shane Dawson as "Shanaynay."

 Shane Dawson as "Aunt Hilda."

 Shane Dawson as "Paris Hilton."

There is this Youtube comedian named Shane Dawson who I find absolutely hilarious! Earlier this year when I went through a very depressing time, Shane was the only thing that could get my mind off of things and get me to laugh when nothing else would. Two of my students told me about him and originally, I thought his humor was stupid after watching one video. Shame on me for my quick judgement!

He has three Youtube channels and I ended up watching every single one of his videos. A long time go, he was once over 400 pounds and lost a lot of weight using Jenny Craig, and ended up working there with his mother and brother. His life ambition is to become an actor and movie director. He began making funny little videos and creating his own silly characters and act all the parts. He was fired from Jenny Craig after uploading a video he made while at work and later ended up becoming a partner with Youtube and has been helping his family since.

He has created some reoccurring characters like Shanaynay, Aunt Hilda, his own version of Shane's mom, Ned the Nerd, and S-Deezy. After three years he has over three million subscribers to his channels and his videos have become more and more professional, using better technology and dressing up as different characters like Edward Scissorhands, the Pink Power Ranger, or Pikachu. He dresses like celebrities such as Lady Gaga, Justin Beiber, and Kesha. He also makes spoof videos on Lady Gaga's Judas, Dawson's Creek, and Degrassi.

But not all his videos are just to make fun. He has made some that have really good messages and inspiring, as well as giving a good laugh. He did one on obesity, individuality, divorce, giving people chances, dreams, etc. After watching the videos you really get to know him and can't help but want his dream to come true as well.

Well when I first did this blog, I told my students that I was going to gold myself accountable and try to achieve as many goals as I could, and want them to achieve their goals too. SO besides my martial arts goals and my personal goals, I made what I thought was a SILLY GOAL and told the students at my school "I WILL meet Shane Dawson and I WILL get him to come to my school here!" I even put out there that maybe he can do a Karate Kid spoof video in our dojang!

Well....guess who is coming from L.A to NYC for his friend's movie premiere? You guessed it. Shane Dawson will be ten minutes away. So this is me, making the attempt to making a silly dream come true. I am going to the city tomorrow night to meet Shane and after we talk I am going to explain to him the circumstances of the silly dream and see if he is available to come to my school for a visit or plan a video shooting at a later time. Am I being totally unrealistic? Well anyone who knows me knows that I control my own reality! I'll let u know how it all works out!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Mercy and Peace

One of my favorite TV shows is Touched By An Angel (don't judge!). I find it to be inspiring, thoughts provoking, and just a regularly "feel good" show to watch. It's spiritual more than religious, which is what I go for. So I was watching an episode since I have them all, and am currently at the end of season four. In this one particular episode, the main angel/character, Monica, hit her head and had amnesia. She forgot who she was, what she was, who God was, what she was supposed to do, etc.

She was in Mississippi and she ran into an angry doctor who wanted to make it to his wife's murderer's death sentence and execution, a cheap skate minister, a non-believing colonel, and a God-loving, praise the Lord lady who worked the stand in the bus station named Effie. At one point the chap skate minister framed Monica and made it look as if she stole Effie's money she was saving to go to the holy land. When the colonel tried to get Monica arrested, Effie chose not to press charges and felt that Monica really needed help and saw she was truly lost, not knowing who she was. Monica asked for forgiveness if she did in fact do something wrong and Effie offered to give her the money and FORGAVE her.

The moment Effie forgave Monica, she remembered EVERYTHING. the power of forgiveness had released her and she found her way back to the light, so to speak. Now as many of  you know by now, I am having this personal struggle with forgiveness with one person who used to be in my life and it's been very rough for me for a long time, being that the scar is still open and quite recent. And it seems everywhere I look the topic of forgiveness keeps popping up, even in this TBA episode!

Monica later goes and finds the angry doctor who wants to watch the execution of his wife's murderer. The murderer apologizes to the doctor and asks for forgiveness, the way his wife forgave hi right before she died. Monica appears before the angry doctor and tells him that she was lost and now is found, found her way back after Effie forgave her. The doctor told Monica she was wasting her time and all he wanted was agonizing, crushing, damning-to-hell revenge with no mercy because the murderer does not deserve it.

Then Monica goes on to say "That is why God created mercy. For those who don't deserve it. And that is why God created peace. For those who will never find it. " She assured him she will never find peace with the death of this man. Satisfaction, yes. Evening the score, yes. But peace, never. "Don't excuse him, don't accept him, don't embrace him, just release him. Release him to God and release yourself. Bless the memory of your wife. Forgive him. He knows now what he has done."

Amazing insight. And it seems everywhere I look this need to forgive keeps showing up. Well something else was brought to my attention. The Kung Fu master (sifu) that Lisa and I went to for that Qi Gong Meditation seminar had an altercation with a former training student/colleague who left his school for one reason or another. This student wrote on his Facebook wall a very disrespectful, attacking message that was insulting and hurtful. Sifu had written a response to this student and opened with gratitude and compliments first before addressing each point this person had brought up.

Once again, I am humbled to see the true essence of a master. He brought up each point having great support behind what he was saying, disagreeing respectfully, and yet being instructive as a teacher as well. And the tone was in such a forgiving manner. Unbelievable! It was so wonderful to witness. And he wrote something, that very much has to do with my situation with somebody that I related to right away. Sifu wrote:

"The truth only hurts if a person does not know what he is talking about. And people only choose to attack a person personally, when they do not have facts to back things up, this is why so many people in our society resort to lies, because their statements don’t have a leg to stand on and they need to create a smokescreen to hide the truth and take the negativity that they feel off of them. Remember the truth does not need to be told. It will always present itself, at one time or another." -Sifu Pedro Yee

 I was deeply touched by this statement almost like an epiphany. But even when this student was going out of his way to hurt the master, his response was FORGIVING! The powers that be must be telling me something.

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

To Spar Again!

It has been a long time since I have done real sparring. It has been even longer since I sparred at another's martial arts school. And it has been even LONGER since I have sparred in a competition for real. Well, yesterday, I went to one of my mentor's school's, Peter Bardatsos. Master Bardatsos is probably the greatest coach on the east coach and has taught at his school in Queens, NY. I used to go to him maybe once a week when I was a kid, then once a month when I couldn't pay the tolls!

Well this month he has opened up a new school in Little Falls, NJ with another master who I am familiar with, Master Richard DeGeorge. This past Sunday, they held an Olympic sparring seminar. I took one of my adult Black belt girls with me, and we both took part in the seminar.

It felt so good to have someone else give the line drills, and doing the stretching, meeting me people and other coaches, doing hogu drills (when you kick each other in the chest protector) with new partners, and to do several sparring matches. I sparred six times and I felt really good. It's been so long. I really get to have a checkpoint, if you will, to see where I am at and see if I could apply anything new in my sparring. Master Bardatsos gave us many drills and very good progressions to where they can lead up. And his drills are a mix of going offense and defense, which really keeps you thinking. And I am so happy my Black Belt got a chance to spar other Black Belts and new faces.

We are both competing this Sunday at the America Open Taekwondo Championships at Clifton High School in Clifton, NJ. I am both apprehensive and excited. When I was younger, there was a lot of pressure for me to win, get the gold, and I feel I don't need to do that anymore. I am going in with a very different mindset. The medal does not matter. There are certain goals I want to make for myself that I want to accomplish in the ring. And if I accomplish those goals, THAT will make me happier than the medal I get. The medals are bonuses. That is my mindset. When I told this to Master Bardatsos, he told me something that put a smile on my face: "Be a martial artists first, then be the competitor. But you do that already." VALIDATION. Thank you Master Bardatsos!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Changes and the Past

 (Video at the end/bottom)

Last night I went to see with my good friend Maria to see The Lion King on Broadway. I have been wanting to see this play for years! But there were never good deals around and I never had the money. An opportunity came and I was able to see it. Maria and I had a fantastic time! And the show was absolutely phenomenal! The music of course was great, but the talent from the actors was absolutely stellar! The vocals were amazing and we couldn't point out who we liked best, or what scene we like best.

And the costumes were amazing! The way they portrayed the animals and the costume they used were unbelievable! The large giraffes were actually people on all fours on these kind of stilts, the amount of concentration to move like that must be extraordinary. We were so pleased with the play. Then, there was one part of the play, that was also in the movie, that really stuck out for me, as most things do when they need to mean something to you.

Simba says to Rafikki that the winds are changing and Rafikki says that change can be good. I think I can deal with change okay, and a lot of changes I thought were terrible became very good. Some I can deal with, some I wish never happened, but overall, the end result became very good. Like when I lost my job three years ago. I thought the world would end, and now I realize it was the best thing that ever happened to me because I have my very own school now!

The second part between Simba and Rafikki was more personal and thought provoking for me. Simba did not want to face his past. I myself dwell on past happenings that hurt me or I struggle with dealing with, so I understood Simba's feelings very well. But Rafikki then hit Simba on the head and Simba exclaimed "What was that for?!" And Rafikki says, "It doesn't matter! It's in the past!" How true is that! Of course, a lesson from Disney! What else! We dwell on things that have past and put so much energy into them when REALLY they do not matter at all anymore.

Simba argues, "But it still hurts!" And Rafikki agrees the past can hurt. But you can either run from it or learn from it. Then he swings his stick and Simba dodges it. He learned from the past. So I guess my approach to things that have happened in the past that have hurt me is to learn from it. Figure out the lessons and use those lessons to better my future. Only a Disney movie could open my eyes to something like that!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Questions vs Ignorance

(Geri Warner from the sitcom The Facts of Life)

Sometimes we learn the some of our greatest life lessons in the most unexpected places. A few years ago, when I was living in my apartment, stressing over the plans I had of one day opening up a martial arts school, thee was one thing that I did to relax for "me" time. I would watch TV show. Now I had no cable in my apartment so thanks to the power of Youtube and the rest of the creations of my generation, I was able to watch TV. And of course, random as it may be, I watched every episode and every season of The Facts of Life.

I LOVED Mrs. Garrett. Such an awesome role model, advice-giver, mentor to these girls at boarding school. In the second season, one of the main characters, the rich snob Blair Warner, had a cousin who came to visit her. Her name was Geri Warner. Geri was handicapped. Geri had cerebral palsy. One of the other girls, Tooty, was asking questions like "You can make coffee?" "You can drive?" "Did you catch cerebral palsy?" "Were you born with it?"

Well Blair was so embarrassed and snapped a Tooty and told her to stop asking such questions! Then, Geri said the most PROFOUND thing I think I have ever heard. Three years later, I often think of this statement when dealing with people, situations, my training, etc. She said this:

"Questions don't hurt. Ignorance does."

-Geri Warner, The Facts of Life

Absolutely profound! Questions do not hurt, but ignorance does! I'll never forget her saying that in that one episode when they met her. You see, I have moments where I am like a curious blunt ten year old and ask a lot of questions and I feel like I should have someone reel me in on a leash. Then I remember this quote. I am not being insensitive, and I am being quite earnest that I truly DO want to know, to understand. I have a student who is a Black Belt and she ALWAYS asks a lot of questions. And I like a lot of questions, because that means they are thinking!

But this statement goes a lot farther. Questions don't hurt. We get that. BUT IGNORANCE DOES!!! OOOOOOO!!!! Right on the money. Ignorance hurts. Yes it does. Ignorance is lack of knowledge, learning, or information. When people act or behave in such ways when they know nothing of what they are talking about, or the entire situation of a scenario, it can hurt beyond words, can destroy you if you let it. And what hurts even more is when ignorance becomes arrogance. Arrogance is that exaggerated opinion of one's importance and superiority. 

Never stop asking questions. And ask your questions everywhere. Never stop asking questions, until you find truth and light. Because questions do not hurt....ignorance does.

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

Day with the Mentor

(Master DeJesus's American Taekwondo School in Rockaway, NJ)

(Master Samuel DeJesus receiving his 4th Degree Black Belt June 27, 2009)

Last Thursday, I went to visit Master Samuel DeJesus at his school in Rockaway, NJ. It's about 33 minutes away from my school in Rochelle Park. I have never been to Master DeJesus's school before, but I always saw pictures on Facebook and have had an old business card of his when I met him.

We met at our Black Belt test at Fastkix Taekwondo in Spotswood, NJ. I was testing for my 3rd Degree, Master DeJesus was testing for 4th Degree. Right off the bat, I truly admired Master DeJesus. We appreciated each other's forms, we sparred together, I attacked him for his self-defenses which I got knocked around (and loved every minute of it!), and we watched each other perform our breaks. It was also the first time I ever saw the martial arts Krav Maga, or Haganah. When I find out the difference, I will let you know! (Forgive my ignorance!)

I was in awe because you felt that warmness about Master DeJesus right away. He was lighthearted (as the best warriors usually are), humble, and yet showed great physical ability and stamina. I was also inspired because at the time he was going for 4th Degree, a goal that I have had since I was a young kid. Seeing someone else achieve it was awesome to witness!

We reconnected recently, I found him on Facebook and we would talk here and there, and still he continued to inspire me. One day he wrote on his Facebook page about how he allowed ego to get the best of him one day, and I was so humbled and comforted by this. I actually wrote an entire blog post about it here. Only a true master would admit when ego interferes, and that is ultimate humility in my eyes. Master DeJesus is the embodiment of what a master should be, in my eyes. 

I was very excited to visit his school, also because I had asked him to visit mine that following Saturday for Kristin Barrett's test as a judge. I parked in front and I walked in and I was so impressed. His studio is about two of mine, plus he had a reception area and office space in the back. Mirrors on the right hand side, weights and dumbbells, equipment hung up, posters paying tribute to the different arts, a heavy duty pull up bar (it reminded me of Charlene), and right dead center was his logo on the wall.

I do not think Master DeJesus realizes how motivating it is for me to see his school. He moved from his original location not too long after six years, and for ME as a brand new school owner starting my second year, it gives me the motivation that maybe one day I too can have a school location just like this! Hi dojang was, and forgive the term as you know how I feel about using it: PERFECT.

We sat for many hours and Master DeJesus was more than welcoming. He welcomed me to his center with open arms, like a singer allowing another on the stage so graciously.  He gave me a tour of his center, shared with me some of the new programs he was producing, ideas he was toying with about changing his curriculum, what his day is like training, how his family is so supportive and helps with the school, how he got into martial arts and different disciplines, how he got involved in the business aspect of martial arts, the beginning of his school, gave me some advice, and of course we talked lengthily about Ms Barrett.

I had such a great time and enjoying myself in the company of Master DeJesus, that I almost was late to get back to my own school! You see, I left at 3:30 and my first class is at 4 and it takes 33 minutes to get back! But it was so worth it! It was a great pleasure to see Master DeJesus at his own home, and getting to know him even more. 

I am hoping that Master DeJesus can help me with some of my goals in self-defense. Another thing I absolutely love about him is he is always a student also, as I tell my students about me. We are always students and can always learn something new. Some Sundays, Master DeJesus does Hapkido, a Korean art that I have always wanted to go into greater depth with. Maybe even try out Krav Maga! I still remember my fascination at our test watching him and being thrown around. How could someone with such humility perform with such great intensity? To exhibit that inner calm is truly key as a martial artist.

Humility. That is Master DeJesus for me. Where Charlene is momentum and Lisa is intensity, Master DeJesus represents one of the core values a master should obtain and uphold: humility. 

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

Don't Take the Offense!

So I didn't get to see it, but I heard all about the Roast of Charlie Sheen. All over Facebook, there were so many comments about how extremely funny the show was, and how so many personal topics from his life was absolutely free reign in the humor used during the roast. "They" always say, if you can't laugh at yourself, then who could you laugh at?

A roast is a humorous way to honor people. I used to love watching the Dean Martin Celebrity Roasts, they were freakin hilarious! Johny Carson, Ronald Reagan, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, George Burns, Bob Hope, Ginger Rogers, they were HYSTERICAL! But it was all in good fun. It was honorable to be roasted and made fun of, by the things that made you so well known, like Frank Sinatra and his young girls, Dean and his drinking, Lucy and her inability to sing and dance, Jack Benny and being stingy, all good, honorable fun.

Even Charlie Sheen the other night had a wonderful time, laughing and facing what he was known for with the laughs. But not all people found being roasted a thrill. A couple years ago when Joan Rivers was roasted, she absolutely hated it. She was preparing for "old" jokes, and plastic surgery jokes, and she found the whole thing insulting. This is coming from a woman who cursed and made fun of all types of people. One of her famous jokes was about Victoria Beckham's skinniness saying, "Does this tampon make me look fat?"

So it amazed me how when the shoe was on the other foot, she couldn't take it. And not only that, but the purpose as as an honorable tribute. Why take it so offensively? Lisa said on her Facebook about Sheen's roast "Amy Schumer was mean and hilarious the way you're supposed to be at a roast. People who are offended by comedy need to get over it."

A year after I attended Lisa's class, I went to see a speaker she was having come that she had open to the campus. His name escapes me at the moment but his name of Vladimir something. Sorry! Details escape me. But he was a medium and the common denominator of his talk was DON'T TAKE OFFENSE! Do not let your ego get such offense by outside forces. It tarnishes your spirit, and wastes energy in ways we could nt even begin to comprehend. 

For the most part, I agree. Especially with these roasts, and people taking offense to things people say and do in comedy. but What is comedy? I don't think people know. Overly exaggerating something about someone or a group of people that is common knowledge or general consensus about, yeah. However, as you all know my favorite comedienne is Lucille Ball. She was truly silly, funny, in every way where we are holding our gut laughing! Bill Cosby had the same effect, having us cry laughing and he was not dirty in any way. I sometimes think today, comedy is destroyed. People can't laugh unless there is a sexual innuendo or a curse word. Take all that out, they aren't funny. So that is not comedy to me. 

I also take offense to people making fun of ethnic groups, sexual orientation, religions, gender and I can't find any of that funny. The more we laugh at those kind of jokes, the more we are saying it is acceptable to hold that energy and keep it alive. It never goes away, because it is taken light. Always look at the intention behind something being funny. In light spirit, honorable tributes, general consensus, that is comedy, yes do not take offense-- get over it. But with the intentions of putting someone or a group down, negative-- not funny.


So if Charlie Sheen can laugh at himself, and face his infamy head on without taking offense, I believe we should do the same, don't get so offended, as Vladimir told us at Lisa's seminar. As long as the intentions are pure. Otherwise, if the intentions are not, then we should ALL be offended and those are the times people choose not to be! Ain't that backwards?

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Test Reflections

I have been to thirty four Black Belt tests in over 13 years. The last five were tests that I myself had facilitated at my own school, Trento's Martial Art and Fitness Center. It was very different being the one running the test instead of just being a part of it as a judge or the assistant instructor. Being the Chief Instructor conducting the test there are certain criteria one must meet.

For example, when I was Mr. Trento the assistant instructor, I would watch all my students prepare for their tests. I would give a lot of advice, drills that would help prepare, sometimes do them with the students, train with them on the side, and ON the actual tests, I would even jump in as part of the support when I saw a struggle. One time a student had a difficult time doing 1,000 jumping jacks, I got up an started doing them with her. Before we knew it, a crowd of people were doing jumping jacks with her for positive energy, including her father in a suit and tie.

Another time a student had to hop on one leg fr 5 min and it took over an hour before he did it, but after 20 minutes, I got up and started hopping with him. Then two other Black Belts joined us too! And another test a girl had to run side to side a number of times in a certain time limit, and I remember I ended up running in with her. There were times I would yell encouragement, hints, etc. But being the one doing the tests now, I wear a different hat, and must have a different demeaner.

Sometimes I have to be a very stern. Sometimes I have to hold the students accountable. Sometimes a little pompous to get a reaction out of them. I cannot hint or help, nor jump in there with them, when there are many times I want to very much. I have to hold back my tears too when I get so proud of them, or feel their struggle.

My first Black Belt test was very exciting, held November 2009. I knew exactly who I wanted to judge it, I knew exactly what tasks I would have the candidates do, I knew what lessons they would need to learn, I wrote up the written test, and did all the scheduling. It really was a great test, and they were surprised at what they were able to do, because I was training them prior to the test with my own style of teaching and drills where I worked on what Randy Pausch would call "head fakes." Pretty much working and improving on things without knowing you were doing so.

We were limited to certain things, like breaking and sparring. But drills that worked on other things like forms, kicks, and self-defense increased their improvement with these other things without doing them. Now only I could truly understand this. I didn't share it either, I was just doing so. It was new to these students, even though I trained them before at our old school. Parents didn't understand this because I never talked about it, but I was confident, and they did great!

But the three were very nervous, almost scared, because they were still thinking of the tests my old master would produce. So I had the judges be stern, but with a light heart atmosphere to get THEM in a relaxed state to perform better. Again, spectators did not understand this, because I didn't say anything. We used to make jokes about how my old master would talk and talk and drag on and drag on. But I learned now why he did that. It was more for the audience's benefit, not the ones taking the test. It was his way of getting the people watching to understand.

So I learned something. I did very well producing a test based on what I was taught by my master, yet had a Trento-twist to it all. It was something of my own, but I still dealt with fighting the aura of our old school. My second Black Belt test was done six months later in May 2010. I had to do an adult Black Belt test, a junior Black Belt test, and a 1st Degree Adult Maintenance test all at the same time. I was again limited and was in the middle of doing renovation to the current location of TMAFC.

Having understood what I learned from the first test, I was better prepared for the second. And I must say, I accomplished and got so much out of the three candidates. The junior Black Belt showed such great character and went out of her comfort zone so many times. The girl doing her Maintenance test improved drastically from her last test and did amazing! And I really feel I prepared the Adult Black Belt candidate so well, he truly did great. I felt I got so much out of them and that they really learned a lot from the test.

Seven months later I did my third, a 1st Degree Maintenance test for two boys. This test became more of a headache. Like I said earlier, I cannot make students do drills or prepare the way I would have done so if I were just an assistant instructor. One of the teens was very fogged in the mind, lied about mistakes or not aware of them at all, and came in overconfident. Besides the fact that first time spectators felt they know better how to conduct Black Belt tests better than me, even if it was my 30th Black Belt test involvement.

It was an experience nonetheless. I learned how our old training, we were trained to lie to ourselves. "Did you make a mistake?" "No, Sir!" "Are you doing your best?" "Yes, Sir!" "Are you tired?" "No, Sir!" If there were tears, it was get over it, put it aside and move on. And quite honestly, there is a lot wrong with denying the truth and denying your emotions that affects your physical performance and focus. That is what I saw in this test. It stuck with me.

This month I did my fourth and fifth Black Belt test. A Junior Black Belt test and a 2nd Degree Adult Black Belt test. Owen Hagmaier did such a phenomenal test and Kristin Barrett exceeded all expectations not only from other people, her judges, and friends but from HERSELF! I could not have been happier with the two of them. Owen showed such great character, more than grown adults show and every physical task we through at him, he accomplished and made it look so easy. And the tasks were NOT easy! For an 8 year old, 1,000 jumping jacks followed by deep stamina work, 50 boards on his legs for 5 minutes, 4 people attacking self-defense, 4 board then 5 board breaks, it was unbelievable!

Then Kristin's test. Setting up her mind frame beforehand, totalling 3,000 jumping jacks, then more leg work, beating her records by several kicks, beating personal times restraints, 3 board speed hook break, breaking with injury, protecting her parents in ill conditions, sparring 3 advance Black Belts, she floured everyone watching her, even her judges.

I began to doubt myself, believe it or not. Were the really challenged? Maybe I am too easy? But these were no where NEAR easy tasks! Well this is what I learned and I feel I finally one upped my old master, maybe by a few points here:

Mistakes are fine, we are flawed  and fragile beings, we learn from them and must not deny them. As long as they don't affect our focus and performance, and we are still aware they were made and admit to them, everything is fine. If you are not focused enough to know you made one, or your hesitate or stop in the middle of what you are doing, then that is a different story. That is fair. When emotions come, they are allowed. But how will you respond to them? Where will you put your focus to HELP you! That is part of the test that brings out your true essence of a Black Belt! as some of Kristin's judges told our outsiders, we were not allowed to do these things! These judges got to know the REAL person testing, whether it be Owen or Kristin.

Then it clicked! That's what I do well. Making the tests REAL. I get the REAL out of these students, and I am preparing very well to BEING REAL. And it was something greatly appreciated by all the judges.

For me, I felt truly validated when visiting judge and friend, George Valentino, and martial arts master and mentor Samuel DeJesus told me how much they enjoyed seeing the test I produced for Kristin. Two people who never saw how we test, appreciated the creativity and personal front created, and felt they really got to KNOW Kristin by the end of the test! Remember, I am on a journey to becoming a Master, and holding Black Belt tests is a big part of that. I am doing a "master's job" when it comes to testing. So this validation means so much to me on this journey. I feel like I am on the right path.

And even moreso, I really feel like I accomplished more than any test I was ever apart of at my former school with my former instructor. Especially after the back to back Owen-Kristin tests. Owen's test was full of accomplishments with this young man who is also a star in the making! And Kristin's test had several accomplishments in itself people didn't even realize, like the reunion of a very special group of people and one reluctant to even show at the beginning. I learned so much in the five tests I have done as the Chief Instructor and feel I finally found the niche needed for my Black Belt tests.

The one last thing that made me think about how I do testing for Black Belts was this: many times I have seen parents get very worked up and hate ME or my old instructor for the intensity of the test. I asked Kristin's mother how badly she hated me after the test, expecting some hostility. She said "Not at all!" I asked her if she was kidding and she replied "Not at all. You were tough, you were very tough. But you weren't cruel." Interesting. I say this: Black Belt tests are supposed to be exciting and you can be challenged and have fun at the same time, true balance! But to be afraid for your life, that is a bad sign. 

January I have a level test and May another junior and Adult Black Belt test. And I truly feel that they will be stellar tests from the candidates who will be testing.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Kristin Barrett

I wrote a book, more like a memoir, entitled As the Board Breaks. I share it with very few people, and I have been re-writing it several times. I split it up into "sagas" because that is exactly what my life has been broken into: sagas. In the first saga, there is a chapter entitled Kristin Barrett, in which I dedicate an entire chapter to this one person.

I began martial arts in 1998. And there has been one person who I began with and has been in my life since day one in one way or another, and that was Kristin for me. In martial arts, you create friends whom you will have for the rest of your life, and anyone who has trained in the martial arts with us, especially those who Black Belt test together, and it is because you are sharing such a deep and personal discipline that creates such unbreakable bonds.

Kristin and I took every color belt test together, we took a Black Belt test together, we competed together, and we both taught together. Many students remember the Barrett-Trento team in martial arts almost as a Golden Era in their martial arts training. The two names were and remain today synonymous in martial arts.

Two weeks before what WOULD have been our 2nd Degree Black Belt test together, she had a falling out with our instructor and after seven years, she was no longer apart of our school. I was devastated and angry. She later tried going to a couple other schools, enlisted in the national guard, and when she heard in October 2009 that I was training people privately during the time I was trying to build a school of my own, she contacted me and asked me to train her in hopes one day she will take that 2nd Degree test.

Well two years later, she felt she was ready to do this test and when looking for the dates of the test which would be in September, I noticed that the same dates as MY 2nd Degree test (Sept 12-17, 2005) were the same dates available this year, Sept 12-17, 2011. Coincidental? Or Coincide-al?

I wanted to give her the test she was denied years ago, but at the same time make it my own kind of test. Put in the lessons and create the standards I saw fit for a 2nd Degree Black Belt. The test was a 6 day test. Monday through Friday we met at my center for 2 to 2 1/2 hours each morning. Monday was the written test where she answered questions based on two books I made her read for the test: Zen in the Martial Arts and The Secret. (Saw that coming, didn't you =P)

Tuesday was her conditioning test, which I know she was most afraid about, because she felt due to all the injuries she had suffered over the years, her body would not be able to handle it. But I made her read The Secret for a reason. I knew she could do every task I was going to through at her, as long as she kept those mental lessons fresh in her mind and made the attempt to apply them seriously. I think it is safe to say she surprised even herself at what she was able to do!

She did a total of 3,000 jumping jacks for the day, plyomentrics, speed drills and exceeding expectations by several kicks and beating her personal best time which she was so darn proud of, hopped on one leg for five minutes both sides, sitting position with 24 pounds on her legs for 5 min, and 4 min planks. WOW! Then Wednesday came for Self-Defense. We started with 30 min of conditioning anyway, then low level escapes, high level self-defenses, free style attacking where she defended herself in low level scenarios and then high level scenarios. Then I set up a closed, confined space scenario like an elevator in which she had to defend herself in, and then free style self-defense wearing only masks for protection. At the end I made her do a 3 board turning hook kick speed break. It was tough, but after several chances and pushing herself and facing her fear of PAIN, she did it!

Thursday was forms, where she performed her prearranged movements straight through and then all facing different directions, her Black Belt forms backwards, her color belt forms under a minute (which three weeks ago after 45 min did unsuccessfully, this time took 2 tries), and her favorite and least favorite form of each level. Friday was basics and she performed her blocks, then stood on two stacks of boards for 5 min each side for two different stances with 5 pound dumbbells in her hands while outstretched to the sides (totaling 20 minutes.) Then all her kicks, balancing herself on one leg on a stack of boards while doing a front kick for 5 minutes (both sides), all her kicking combinations, all the combinations with 5 different footwork, and then all in under one minute.

(Kristin Barrett before the sixth and final day of her 2nd Degree Black Belt test in front of the traditional Zen Candle which stays lit for the remainder of the test.)

Yesterday was the final day. Many students and their families, alumni, and friends old and new were in attendance, including my mentor Professor Lisa Sargese, fellow Black Belt Peter Dunphy, and dear friend Jessie Peralta. Kristin's parents were obviously there as well, they are indeed her biggest fans. 

I don't know what the biggest surprise was for her, but the first was the judges. I always select the judges based on the people testing. SO it only seemed fitting to have the ones who began Kristin's journey with me and watched us go through the ranks to test this long awaited test. Miss Carla Rodriguez was an instructor of ours when we were WHITE BELTS! She has always played such a big role for us at our old school in our martial arts school, and she was happy to be back in uniform for Kristin's test. Mr. Jeff Checkley was yet another of our original instructors and taught our old Demo Team which Kristin was on. These two haven't seen each other for ten years! 

 

Mr. Mike Duke was not only one of the adult Black Belt students we trained with and trained ourselves, but Kristin also trained his two children who are also Black Belts in the martial arts. Mr. Chris Ward and I received our Black Belts together, and was a key figure in our beginning years of martial arts. When she opened her eyes and saw Mr. Ward at the table, her eyes became teary, she was so surprised to see him. Also was an old friend and now Black Belt, John Vanderhee, who trained both with me and Kristin at the end of her time at our old school. An old school friend of mine and excellent martial artist, who has his own school in Springfield, came as a judge as an outsider, named George Valentino. Mr. Valentino not only judged but did a special demonstration with two of his students for Ms Barrett. And our final judge was my mentor Master Samuel DeJesus, the embodiment of a true martial arts master in my eyes. 

 

We opened up our ceremony talking about Ms Barrett and already the tears were flowing. We then began the test with her performing more of her forms. Nervousness, surprise, and emotions took away from her focus a little at the beginning but she continued to sharpen her focus as the test went on. We did a judges choice portion where each judge asked Kristin to do a task or ask a question.

Miss Rodriguez had her do as many jumping jacks as she could do in 2 minutes, Mr. Checkley asked a thought provoking question, Mr. Duke had her do 50 squat thrusts, Mr. Ward had her do a form backwards, Mr. Vanderhee asked for a particular form to be performed, Mr. Valentino had her do her most difficult form blindfolded, and Master DeJesus asked three very personal questions to get to see a little more of the inside of Kristin's mind as a Black Belt.

Then we did sparring. Four of my Black Belts plus Mr. Vanderhee, Mr. Valentino, and Master DeJesus sparred Ms Barrett. She did three 2 min matches, 10 minutes rapid sparring where every 15 seconds someone new sparred her, then the three Black Belt judges sparred her at the same time for a minute and a half. Then Kristin did her low level self-defenses and high level self-defenses. That was warm up for what was to come.

When we originally took our Black Belt tests, we did an insane self-defense confrontation. Well I believed that it's been several years and if she is going for a brand new belt, she should perform under the same conditions we originally tested and at a more personal level. We took out a tarp and wet it with water. She took her out blind folded and threw her on the ground while the music blasted and she was attacked with all her senses gone, the lights out. It was a very emotional thing to watch. But what was even more emotional was this:

I had both her parents stand at one corner of the tarps, she did not know they were there. I told her to not let the attacker pass. I explained to her that she was not the target, the target was behind her. When she turned and saw her parents, she became emotional immediately. But when she defended them, it was like watching an entirely different person. The fire came out, there was no stopping her.

Then she did all her breaks with two boards each. One break in particular was two boards turning back hook kick. After two aims, she asked if she could switch side, afraid of breaking her ankle or heel, the pain made itself known right away. I asked the judges their thoughts. Five said yes she could, in fear of injury. Two said no. I then asked each for the reasoning's and after hearing them all out, I put it back on Ms Barrett. I explained we heard yes and no's and all good points, but what was her thoughts after hearing them all. She then decided she will do the break with the same leg. I asked her if she was sure and if it was her final answer. "Yes, Sir."

I most likely would have made her do it anyway. But it had to be HER choice. It is not our abilities that define who we are, but our choices. Her choice showed great character. She did of course break the boards. She ended breaking by creating her own combination, including her signature three board speed ridge hand break, she used to win competitions with when we were kids.

The judges then met with me in my office as we made our final decision. They were all deeply impressed, especially the ones who remembered her when she was that little girl growing up who used to let pain stop her. Today, she stopped pain in its tracks. Her perseverance in hand with great determination was unbeatable. She was true to herself, did not let emotions overcome her, while not denying them as well (which we were taught to do and many of the judges remembered that). And our guest judges were equally proud of the performance shown to them by Ms Barrett, never seeing a test quite like this one. They believed they truly go to know her as the test progressed, and you can't get anymore personal than that!

Many families and friends shared their feelings after the judges made their comments, and reminisced about the memories that have had of Ms Barrett. Lisa was amazed, never seeing a Black Belt test before. My own students, especially the females, were in awe of what they witnessed. And her father stood up stating proudly "I AM YOUR BIGGEST FAN! I AM ALWAYS YOUR BIGGEST FAN!" No truer words could have been spoken.

I tried very hard to compose myself, but it was tough. The tears kept coming. I was so proud of her, and proud as an instructor, as well as a friend. However, Kristin isn't a friend, she is family. We've been through so much growing up, and I was so happy for her, words cannot describe how proud I am. The Webster-Dictionary of English can try all they want, they won't justify any word to portray how I feel.

But if there is one thing I am still trying to get over it is this: Kristin Barrett had an instructor who she considered to be her role model. She has not seen her in eleven years, maybe more, and I tried for months along with some of the other judges to convince this role model to come to the test. She declined respectfully many times due to her negative experiences with our former instructor, and I persisted and persisted to the very end. It looked as if she would not come...

UNTIL! Lo and behold, Miss Danielle Schneider did indeed attend as a spectator for Kristin's test. I don't know who was more surprised. Me, the other judges who know her, or Kristin. Kristin actually cried when she saw she was there while warming up for the test. I think that is what Miss Schneider was going for though, to surprise us ALL! We she accomplished that! When it was time for Kristin to recite the Black Belt oath, Miss Schneider came onto the mats to read the oath to Kristin. Talk about everything coming full circle! It was more than fitting. It was an absolutely thrilling and humbling to have Miss Schneider on the mats with us again.

(Miss Danielle Schneider embracing Kristin before the reading of the Black Belt oath.)

 

 

No one should ever tell you that you can't be something, or you can't do something, or you won't accomplish something. No one should ever deny who someone is, or how they are, or what someone believes, or what someone values. When you get the "haters" and people who put you down, never EVER allow them to do so. Kristin Barrett is a prime example to never allowing anything or anyone stand in the way of her goals.

I didn't just test a student this past week. I tested one of my bestest friends. It was a very special day, and I hope it was a test she will always remember, a test in which she got a lot out of, a test where she felt validated, and a test in which she will hold as an ultimate reference point. But on a personal note, I speak directly to you now Kristin:

Thank you for the many years of friendship. You complete me in your own way, I have always told you that. Thank you for always being a beacon of light for me, as I hope I have been for you. The martial arts is something I hold so dear to my heart and my greatest passion, and you have been there from day one. I hope you will always keep it as a part of you, and words escape me for how proud I am of you. As a student, as a friend, and a human being. Well done. Well done...

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Beat the Skeptics

I absolutely LOVE it when someone says that somebody else cannot do something and then they DO IT! I consider one of my most favorite hobbies to beat the skeptics! I have done it sooooo many times myself, doing something when no one else thinks I can, or helping someone else accomplish something when others say they cannot.

I dislike when other people put someone down, saying they can't do something or that something will never happen. Many people didn't think I could open my own business when I was 19 years old. One of my best friend's aunts actually said to me that I WILL NEVER do it. I will never forget how hurt I was by her saying that. I had family members who were skeptical, and even a few friends who questioned whether I would really be able to find a way.

Although I accepted and respected their views, I did not at all put any energy into those thoughts. They did not serve me. I was putting everything I had ever learned from my martial arts training mentally into action. To attract all the things I needed, to focus on nothing but the positives in every situation that came up, and keep my dominant thoughts on what I wanted and not even acknowledge what I didn't want, it all worked out. The path worked out the way it was SUPPOSED to work out, and my mentality was "I do not know how, I only know that I WILL." And that was enough.

I wrote a post on taking risks and the positives in failure, which you should read when you get the chance. How many people in our own history was told they could not do something. Lucille Ball was told she can't act, Walt Disney told he had no imagination, Elvis told he couldn't sing, Tom Edison told he was stupid, the Wright Brothers told they will never fly; imagine if they all LISTENED!??!

Beat the skeptics, that is the name of the game. And it is one of my most favorite games to play. And I love even being in the game or a spectator. Recently, my mental training mentor Lisa Sargese told me a phenomenal story about how she used The Secret to attract the most random goal that occurred to her one night in bed: to get her picture in Playboy Magazine.

She was a fan of the TV show The Girls Next Door and loved three of the girls, was thinking what it would be like to be them, made it her dominant thought, and the next day got a phone call for an interview about Peep Culture going into Playboy. They wanted to interview her based on her accomplishments on her own blog. Lisa's entire story of this happening can be read here on her blog.

Later, the author wrote a book mentioning her and later a documentary, having interviewed her there too. And one of the questions he asked annoyed me. I will quote:

...She tells me her ultimate aim is to look "hot"
and achieve stardom as a self-help guru.
I ask her if maybe she isn't deluding herself a bit.
After all, there's a big difference
between being encouraged
by a small group of ardent readers
with a like-minded worldview
and believing you're destined for fame.

But the author did not know who he was messing with:

She is unruffled by the question:

"Even if I'm deluding, if it perpetuates the delusion
that people can be rich, famous and successful,
that may give them the inspiration to continue doing it.
Just by their persistence they will succeed."

A phenomenal answer! The question did not phase her at all, and ME, I got annoyed, angry even! How dare he call my friend delusional! I did not like how he spoke of her dreams and goals with irony and skepticism! But Lisa simply found it entertaining, which is why I admire her so. And she simply sits back and smiles. After all, since those interviews, he mentions how she wanted to have a full time salary, get health insurance, replace both knees, get more people to read her blog, and get rich and famous.

Well today she has a full time salary, she got herself health insurance, she replaced her SECOND knee last month, and she now had anywhere from 150-250 people reading her blog A DAY. Rich and famous? It's only a matter of time. She showed him! 

Another one of my mentors, Master Kevin Balon wrote on one of his Facebook pages:

This is just a reminder not to let anything or anyone bring you down. No matter how focused you are on bringing about positive changes in yourself, it is almost a rite of passage to encounter those people who will dump on you or attempt in a variety of ways to ridicule you for making different choices that support your health goals and training. Don’t be discouraged – this is simply a test that everyone must pass to continue the training. Most often the biggest jerks that we encounter in life can be our greatest teachers. They are there to test our mettle – to teach us compassion, to show us some strength inside of ourselves that we must access to pass their test and move forward in strength and with confidence. If people scoff at you or (sometimes even worse) make little jokes at your expense because you have chosen to train and not sit in front of the TV – please understand that it’s all just a test – keeping yourself centered and calm in the face of all these little slaps and provocations is teaching you a different kind of inner strength to match the new strength that you are bringing to your body.

-Master Kevin Balon, 7th Degree Black Belt

I thought Master Balon's words couldn't have been any truer. That as part of our process to accomplishing great things, we must meet the skeptics, and that those skeptics can even become teachers of ours in some way. They are the challenges we must overcome in order to get to our goals. It's all just a test, and we must remain centered and controlled. 

SO I say to you all, those who have people always telling you cannot do something, YOU CAN! 

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

Forgiveness

This post is personal. And I wonder what you all think about the topic of forgiveness. According to dictionary.com, the definition to forgive is as follows:

1. to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.

2. to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).

3. to grant pardon to (a person).

4. to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.

5.to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.

For as long as I could remember, I have always had the power of forgiveness in my heart. But today, I struggle with one, ONE void that I am having the most difficult time forgiving. Now a little background, I have very little resentment toward situations or for people and found it very easy to forgive. At a young age, I learned from martial arts that it is better to forgive, we only live once, and that I am a human being, an imperfect, flawed, and fragile being, like most humans. So who am I to pass judgment on one's actions and also knew at a very young age to look at people's intentions over their actions. 

Any altercation I ever had with anyone, forgiveness came in minutes. Literally. I could be having a full blown argument with someone and five minutes later I am laughing with that person with my arm around them. When someone went out of their way to hurt me and it hurt me badly, maybe a couple months I was able to forgive them, like my former instructor. And most people will say WOW only two months? Yep. That's all it takes for me. Because I never hated in my life, nor ever held grudges. 

Mr. Miyagi said in The Karate Kid movies "Those who live with no forgiveness in their hearts live in a worse punishment.." And I got this! I understood it! And during those very personal times, I was still able to forgive. And truth be told, I was able to live life fine and move on quite easily because of my ability to forgive. And that's what most gurus tell you: forgive and forget and you will live a better life. Well I forgive, but I do not forget, so I don't make the same mistakes or the other party do not make the same mistakes.

And the other funny thing is I used to forgive the same party or parties over and over and over again, no matter what, there was never a limit to the number times I could forgive. Again, I am also a flawed and fragile human being, why should I pass judgment on others for their mistakes and wrong doings? I am not perfect either! No one is!

And yet, an event that damaged me very much eight months ago has left me with such resentment and hatred in my heart, emotions I can truly say I have never felt before, and it has literally been killing me. I know now Mr. Miyagi's words are truer than ever. People who cannot forgive suffer even more. A very ugly situation which became uglier and than nastier, into uglier was beyond chaos I have ever experienced. Ill intentions, and cunning, and the ability to cause discord from ONE person created so much disarray among many people. And people tell me all the time, it may take years before I can find the power inside of me to forgive. 

But that was never me. And I do not want to wait that long. I know why one must forgive and what it does to you if you don't, I am experiencing it now! It just hit so close and left a scar not on my body and mind, but my spirit. And it is deep. Have I gotten along with my life, yes. But there is still a void, and it will not be filled in without forgiveness. So I admit, my greatest challenge toward my master instructor test is this: to forgive this situation. I have forgiven others in the situation, even if some continue to respond negatively with ill intentions, I forgive MYSELF which is usually the hardest part for most people (we are never fully innocent), and yet I am down to the last inning of the game and finding hard to take that last swing at bat.

And then an even funnier thing came up as I have been thinking about this topic for months, in church on Sunday the entire mass's reading were on FORGIVENESS. A servant begged his master to forgive his lateness in paying his debts and not to take away his property, and the master forgave him and pardoned his debts. Then another servant did the same to forgiven servant and refused his forgiveness. When the master heard he was enraged the servant could not show the same forgiveness he had given him and ended up taking his land and locked him up until the debts were paid. And it just so happened that Sunday was also the tenth anniversary of Sept 11, 2001. Interesting....we will never forget, that's right....but can we forgive? Have those families forgiven? Can they? Can our country? Can our government? An interesting concept...

Then I remembered a very old blog post from my mentor's blog, Lisa Sargese, from 2009 where she writes about a situation where she needed to forgive. I absolutely love how she writes the steps in which she took in order to get to the forgiveness state and the Buddha story which she reflects on how one should be when it comes to responding when others ill intent is cast toward you. I encourage you all to read it here.

For the most part, I practice what I preach. It is something I have always worked hard at because I have seen and lived too many situations where other have not. And I am proud to say I have always held myself accountable to doing so, as such is this blog for. But I admit, my greatest struggle is this one situation where it is eating me up inside. It will take time, and right now, I really really don't WANT to forgive. But I know I must and will eventually get there, I just hope sooner than later.

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

My Push Up Goals

You may remember a while back I was complaining about one of my workout with Charlene, where she made me do the entire workout of PUSH UPS! I expressed in that post that I absolutely hate push ups! In fact, after so many years of exercising, I can do and be excited to do any crazy and insane drill that only a sadist would want to do! You can ask anyone who knows me, that is how I am. However, push ups, I was never a fan. Even on my Black Belt tests over the years, I was SO focused for the sole purpose of not wanting to have to do push ups!

So after an entire summer of push ups with Charlene, I have gotten not only better in push ups but have received a little more respect for the damn exercise. SOOOOOO, now that the fall training has begun, and I have SO much to do, I have decided to keep push ups in my routines. Now with any drill that I put into my routines, I figure out the short term and long term goals of how to raise the level of difficulty. SO this is what I can do right now: there are five different push ups:

• 25 Regular push ups
• 16 push ups with the right leg up, 16 push ups with the left leg up (26 total)
• 25 alternating legs in the air full push up
• 25 wide armed push ups
• 25 closed hands push ups (nearly touching)

This is what I can do now. It's about a total of 126 push ups. My goal is to build up to 30 for each one, then 40, then 50. Once I am able to do 50 of each one really well, I want to do TWO SETS of each one for 50. By the time I am doing my test, I want to be able to do THREE SETS of each push up for 50. THESE particular ones. I will still try other ones as well, but the goal is set.

I think attacking a goal with something I do not like, and pretending I do like them, and improving on top of that is a great project in my training towards masterhood. I will let you all know how I make out with my progress! Is there anything YOU have attempted and kept at it to improve, even though you didn't like it?

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

The Junior Black Belt

Owen Hagmaier and Mr. Trento in 2007

Many moons ago, my martial arts school did a program for three and four year olds called "Little Ninjas." It was more of a character enrichment program than martial arts, but used some kicks and punches for the activities and got them ready for the martial arts program. At the time, my dear friend Kristin Barrett was teaching this program. When we no longer taught it, I was offered the position. I said "NO WAY! I am NEVER going to teach three and four years olds!"

I didn't want to. And I didn't think I could. Too young? Well my friend Julie took over instead. When she no longer did it, I was asked again. I said NO. Then another guy did it. When he stopped, I was asked and declined once more. Than another girl did it. After she left, I was brought into the office and was TOLD I would be the new Little Ninja Instructor. -_____-

So my first group of Little Ninjas I had eight kids. Among those eight was a 3 1/2 year old boy named Owen Hagmaier. Owen was this cute little boy who was an absolute character! When I revamped the Little Ninha curriculum, one of the topics I did with the kiddies was Leadership. So we did Simon says and follow the leader, etc. Then one drill I had one kid at a time come up and count while the rest did a punch and yelled loud PUNCH! When it was Owen's turn, he stood tall, hands behind his back, and called out his numbers and imitated me to the tee! He would shake his ear, indicating he wanted them louder, waved his hands as I did, etc. It was the cutest thing and my earliest memory of Owen.

I trained Owen up to high green belt before I left that school to begin my own. When I finally opened my own center, Owen had come back to me as a high brown belt and joined my center to complete his color belt training at TMAFC. I was delighted! Owen came raw, but after about 6 months training he made tremendous progress and was awarded his advance brown belt, the last color belt before Junior Black Belt! We scheduled the test for Sept 8-10, 2011. 

Well Owen trained hard and last week was his Junior Black Belt test. He is 8 years old today, and is a child actor, starring in several commercials and short films, and cameos in movies. He is going to be a big star one day! Now many of you might say "Eight years old? Isn't that too young to be a Black Belt??"

Well let me remind you I have trained Owen since he was three! He has been training five years for this, and when I tell you what he did for his test, you will have no doubt that this young man has faced challenges with such character and strength that most grown adults could not do, with focus most adults don't have!

The Junior Black Belt test is a three day test for students from the ages of 12 and below. Thursday was Conditioning and Forms, Friday was Basics and Self-Defense, and Saturday....Well wouldn't you love to know >=) HEE HEE, that is exactly what it said on his schedule. I don't know until that morning of. Each Black Belt test is different, never two the same just as all people are different, no two the same. The test is a personal and emotional test that is catered to the individual candidate(s). Owen had to apply the mental lessons that he understands at such a young age through a physically challenging test that pushed him beyond his limits!

On Thursday, the very first thing Owen had to do was 1,000 jumping jacks. Yes, you heard me. One thousand (1,000) jumping jacks! And he did it with barely a struggle. Can YOU do that? At the last 200 or so, all of his friends had jumped up to do the jumping jacks with him for good energy and support. It was very touching to witness. After the thousand jumping jacks he did 15 minutes of speed and agility drills before we made him read a story from the book he had to read for the test (Owen had to read Eye of the Hurricane by Terrence Webster Doyle.) Then he did speed drills and had to beat his time 4 rounds in a row. We made him run side to side between two blocks as fast as he could in 15 seconds, beating the amount he could do each time. He hopped on one leg for 5 min each leg and sat for 5 min with a five pound dumb bell in his hand. After the conditioning he performed all his forms (there are 12) and then performed a few facing different directons, one backwards, and all of them in under one minute that took him four tries. He was VERY impressive.

 

Owen doing 1,000 jumping jacks

 

Owen doing speed and agility drills

People say, "That sounds like child abuse!" It honestly is not, I never have the kids perform something I know they cannot do, nor with something I did not prepare them for. And the mental energies they are trained for makes them do the most amazing things. That is what a Black Belt is all about anyway. Phenomenal attitude no matter what the task. If these kids learn NOW with a Black Belt test, they can carry it on into all aspects of their lives.

Friday I took a mental lesson that catered to Owen. Owen does not like giving the wrong answer or answers questions with questions. I did not want him to worry about making mistakes because he is taught mistakes are a good thing! Make them so you can learn from them! Do not deny yourself the opportunity to learn! As long as you are aware of them and not let it take away from your focus and attitude. How many parents, coaches, and teachers teach kids mistakes are a bad thing? They got it all wrong! No matter what I threw at Owen, he was expected to have a TEN attitude and a TEN focus level (ten being the highest, one the lowest).

Owen performed his blocks, then again with three pound dumb bells in his hands. He did his kicks with resistance bands on his legs, and again without them, then kicking combination's, then all the combinations under a minute. He was attacked by a Black Belt to do his level self-defenses, another student attacked whatever they wanted and he had to protect himself, then three students on him, then three Black Belts attacking. Owen was a force to be reckoned with.

Owen performing his blocks

Owen performing blocks with dumb bells in hand.

On the last day, Owen is judged by nine judges alongside me. The ten of us grade him by the level of control he has over his effort, his attitude, and his responses. Four judges were former students of mine who were around Owen's age when they got THEIR Junior Black Belts before later becoming adult Black Belts. Another judge there was an instructor who taught with me when Owen was a Little Ninja. And then my four adult Black Belts I had on the panel as well.

After Owen performed his forms, we had a portion of the test called Judge's Choice, where each judge chooses for Owen to do whatever task they want him to do. Owen did phenomenally. He did 500 jump ropes, all his forms in one minute, all his self-defenses in one minute, perform his least favorite form, and one of the most impressive tasks was breaking FIVE BOARDS, after impressing us by doing 4 on Friday. I think he even shocked himself, and it took five or six times, which is NOTHING when it comes to such a difficult task as that. He was asked a few questions, did a form with a cup of pennies on his head he was not allowed to drop on the floor or he did push ups and we created a lieu of distractions like flickering the lights and clapping, putting music on and off etc to test his focus.

Owen with 20 boards on his legs for 5 min, adding five boards every minute.

The last and most trying task was to do that sitting position for five minutes again but with 20 boards on his legs, adding five more boards every minute. There were a few tears, but he did it! Absolutely amazing! The perseverance this eight year old showed, I was so proud of him! He then did 5 minutes of rapid sparring, sparring a new partner every fifteen seconds, and then we had blind folded him, turned the music on loud, and had four people attack him continuously for self-defense. It is very difficult to watch, and very intense, but the bottom line is that this eight year old can defend himself even when everything is against him. You didn't even recognize Owen by the time he was finished. The intensity was magnificent! Then he did all his breaks which were a total of 25 in all. He ended with a combination he made up.

The ceremony was beautiful, and he was so happy. His parents were very proud, and so were the fellow students and their families. I am so proud of my student Owen. He truly represents what the martial arts is all about. SO many parents I meet always fear for their children with the way the world is becoming and what will things be like when they get older, and all I have to say is, don't worry, there is hope. With young people like Owen in our world, the world is definitely the better, along with all his other martial arts family.

CONGRATULATIONS OWEN HAGMAIER ON YOUR JUNIOR BLACK BELT! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!!!

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO