The FIRST Pure Bred Trento Black Belts

Danielle and Samantha Niblock with Master Trento in October 2010 at their first belt test. 

(SPECIAL THANKS TO MICHAEL GRELLA FOR THE PICTURES!!)

"There are two ways to spread light. By being the candle or the mirror."

-Edith Warton

I'm exhausted. It's been so long since I have been this busy, I almost forgotten what it was like. But at the same time, I feel like I'm back up to some of my old tricks. It's been nonstop since 2015 began. End of January I moved TMAFC from Rochelle Park to Saddle Brook, beginning of February I took my Kung Fu test, I gave workshops and Seminars, We traveled to Albany for a tournament, I had belt testing for my students, I traveled to Georgia for a weekend, I was in Pennsylvania for a weekend, I'll be in Queens next weekend, I'll be doing more workshops and seminars, and I'll be going to Georgia again and Florida for a weekend martial arts gig. 

But when you has a passion for something, it is not work, and it is nothing but utterly exciting and motivating to continue on your quest. This past week was a very special week at TMAFC. I said it is our first "March Madness" at TMAFC. I do Black Belt testing twice a year only. My Black Belt tests are very different compared to many tests. Going through the ranks myself, I had to go through six day Black Belt tests. I, myself, loved them. My attitude was it was the ultimate accumulation of everything I am working for and that it would bring me to the ultimate peak performance in which I believed a Black Belt should be. It was exciting and I was enthusiastic, with a bit of appropriate nervousness. 

What I didn't know is that not everyone had the same mindset as me. Actually, now that I think about it, I don't know if anyone had. You see, my first master would do these Black Belt tests, and I didn't see it until much later in my training that his tests were more like a fraternity hazing process. There were drills and challenges that were ridiculous, not appropriately challenging, over the top, objectives that were unreasonable, and sometimes people were set up for failure. He would also play psychological games and get inside your head to break you down. This is NOT what I do.

In 2009, I did my first Black Belt test for TMAFC. The test was great, but there was a problem that never left and trickled into just about every test since then. The students testing under me thought of my old master and they thought I was him. Do I do similar drills? Yes. Do I have similar set ups? Yes. When the students falter, do I get stern? Yes. But are the objectives the same? No. Are the standards similar? No. Are expectations unreasonable? No. 

Over the years there were a few things I had figured out along the way. Why it's important to talk about certain topics during the test (for the audience's benefit, not the testers). A structure that could be followed and a way to set a bar and learn how to push the envelope in an appropriate manner. A way that consistency depending on the levels being tested would be ranked (not referring to belts). I really have my testing down to a science. And I really know how to target certain areas for the testing candidates that bring the best out of them. As long as they don't resist. 

All the people who tested with me for Black Belts have been my students, but the ones who ranked Black Belt were my students from my first school under my old master. They had that influence, they had that experience, they all had the similar psychological torture trauma that I broke much of it away, but enough still lingered that made testing processes sometimes more challenging than anything had to be. Do not get me wrong. All previous testers did a phenomenal job for their testings. They soared and grown and transformed in ways no other human beings could have grown. But there was always that lingering past energy of my old master. 

My last test was a couple of years ago. I had no students ready to test during this time, and it was a matter of waiting for the next group to be eligible and go through the ranks. During that time, changes were made in location, scheduling, curriculum, management, and structure. This past week, two of my very first students from when I opened TMAFC in 2010 were eligible for testing. But these two ladies would be different. And I knew it months in advance. They would be doing things differently and things no other students ever had done before, and I've been saying this for months because of one key element: they are purely my OWN. They have only trained under me. They have no other influence in their training other than me. 

Samantha and Danielle Niblock on their first day of martial arts training. 

I opened TMAFC June 5, 2010. Danielle and Samantha Niblock began June 28, 2010. Almost five years later, these twin sisters were testing for their adult Black Belt at TMAFC. They are the FIRST March Madness (our first test with the new months, March being the first), the FIRST test at the NEW TMAFC location in Saddle Brook, and the FIRST pure bred Trento influence students for Black Belt. I know both their parents were nervous, but I had full confidence these girls were ready. The one thing that remains consistent was that the students testing DO understand a little more about this process of what's going on then the people watching it. This is something that they have chosen to do and been training for. This test is to test all aspects of their training but also to be the ultimate positive reference point to transform into a completely different human being by the end of the test. 

Adult Black Belt testing is for 13 years of age and older. The girls were one month shy of the age cut off. So I offered them the chance to take the adult test or the junior test. They both made the choice to take the adult test. That alone shows great character. They had to get three recommendation letters from my own Black Belt students who believe they are capable to taking the adult standard Black Belt test. Mr. Robert Lisciandrello, Miss Samantha Volk, and Mr. Andrew Kranich each wrote letters for the girls, and I thank all three of them for doing so. In preparation the girls also took part in our competition team classes and adult classes to prepare for this test. 

What they did this week, most adults couldn't physically do or have the mental drive to do. Their written test day was Monday which they had to answer some very deep philisophical questions to build the mindset for the week. Tuesday they had to put their words to action thorugh their condtiioning test including a total of 2,000 jumping jacks, over 200 burpees, speed drills, beating their time each objective, horse stance for five minutes, 3 minute planks on medicinie balls, and military drills that I got from my Haganah Conference including srpints, suicides, running with the other person on their back, wheel barrows, lunges, and duck walks. 

Danielle and Samantha as high green belts. 

Wednesday was Self-Defense Day which they did extreme blocking and striking, low level escapes and high level self-defenses, multiple attackers, and a pass or fail test for each, and stress and aggression drills. Thursday was the test of focus and concentration through the technique of forms. Besides doing their traditional Taekwondo forms, they did them in different directions, under one minute, chosen forms for different objectives such as backwards, reflection, starting and ending on same points, blindfolded, etc. Friday was Basics where many Q&A's were asked and performance of the basic blocks, kicks, and kicking combinations were involved including speed drills with objectives, hand techniques as speed drills with objectives, and trust drills such as kicking paper in a person's mouth while balancing on one leg.

What I may add is this: Every morning of a Black Belt test I do the test in the morning myself. I never ask my students to do anything I cannot do. That being said, I have always in past tests either not do everything on the cards I had written down, or would lessen repetitions or time restraints depending on the difficulties and challenges of the individuals testing. I've done that for every test prior. This certainly does not mean those tests were any easier at all. But the struggles from those tests were overthinking, over-nervousness, thinking I was getting in their heads and therefore not listening to the directions, poor attitudes in the moment, etc. 

This was the first time EVER in my five years I did EVERY single bullet on my cards EACH day of the test. There were moments I would think, Maybe I should move on to the next thing and not add another objective or maybe I should lessen the reps here, this seems to be a little extreme. I did not do that AT ALL this time. Those moments popped in my mind for a second, but that was it. Only a second and then I stood my ground. If I said 100, it was 100. If I said both sides, it was both sides. If I said another 1000, it was another 1000. And these girls did EVERYTHING.

Their attitude was impeccable. I KNEW whatever I told them to do, they would do it, and do it well. They never showed moments of weakness during the week. They never let emotions take over. They always made a conscious choice to stay light hearted and smile (something I was always known for doing in my own testing),  and took the mental lessons to heart and very seriously in putting them into action. In return, I was VERY relaxed and light hearted myself during the entire testing. Their confidence made ME even MORE confident, and I believe my confidence made THEM more confident. The spirit was one. 

Final Day of Black Belt testing

I had seven judges on Day 6. One of my own and 6 guests. Miss Samantha Volk, who worked very closely with the girls over the years. New friend Master Christian Seiglie who is the New Jersey Gong Kwan Yosul liason and 4th Dan in Taekwondo. Mr. Michael Ramirez from the ATA, good hearted individual with a lot of heart and drive and student of my Songahm mentor.  Master Joe Nilon who is a master of Hapkido, practitioner of Taekwondo, and Gen 1 FIGHT Instructor in Haganah, we met in 2012 paneling together at a Black Belt test at Rockaway Fight Center. My own mentor, Master Samuel DeJesus, who was recently promoted to 3rd Dan in Haganah and 5th Dan in Taekwondo. His student, Mr. Austin Redlich was on the panel for the first time, and dear friend and 3rd Dan in Taekwondo Miss An Marie Cooper. Beautiful people who I know all have my back, and I theirs; all bringing great experience to the table.

For those who know me, the first five days of testing, and all my color belt tests I do NOT sit behind a table. I am standing and moving around and am RIGHT IN THERE with the tests. It just isn't me to sit behind some table to judge. The first two portions of the final day is forms and judge's choice. It's the only time I am sitting and even then I am finding reasosn to get up and be right int her during the test. And if anyone noticed, for just about the entire test, I am right in there, on my feet. 

The girls did their Taeguek forms in approximately 5 minutes. This is the FIRST time a student did not make silly mistakes due to nerves, overconfidence, or over thinking. They also learned these 8 forms in six months for their test. but the way they prepared and practiced definitely showed. They are also the first students to have the proper detail and style according to WTF standards. they showed ITF forms and the forms meanings. I was very proud of them. 

Next came our traditional judge's choice. Miss Cooper asking about the twin rivalry in training and how they dealt with something as real as that and how is has been transmuted into other areas. Mr. Austin wanted to see advance spinning kicks which the girls have never done before and took a chance at doing something they never had before. Master Joe and Master Seiglie both asked for self-defense scenarios which the girls showed that they not only understood the principles and concepts that were being asked for but also prepared to do them. Mr. Ramirez asked a question to be answered about why they were doing what they were doing while performing a plank drills to the satisfaction of the judges. Miss Volk, knowing their weak point was breaking made them choose their most difficult break and this was the beginning of the major challenges the girls would have to face, overcoming the mental block transmuting into the breaking of boards. And Master DeJesus questioned them individually about certain questions on their written test along with knuckle push ups on their broken boards. 

They had to next do Olympic style Taekwondo sparring. Following the AAU rules, they did a few matches and then rapid fire sparring changing opponents every 15 seconds for several rounds beofre having to spar 2,3,4 and eventually 5 people at once. Then the judges requested their own objectives they wanted to see while sparring. Quite frankly, there was nothing the girls would not do. There was never a sigh of disbelief, there was never a pain face or a whiny expression. Never did you see fear in their eyes. Whatever was asked, they said "Okay" and then did it. I believe the judges did a fantastic job in trying to push the envelope. 

The most emotional part is always the self-defense portion. But what I did for the first time, and never did before waqs have the girls demonstrate the entire low level escape and high level self-defense curriculum, which my own mentor Master DeJesus actually gave them a mini lesson in the middle of (an honor I know the girls appreciated). But this was also an adult test, so they were to be treated like adults. And in return, they responded like adults. 

A simulation of the worst case scenario for self-defense can always be created. One of the ways I do this is with "the tarp". Many people have seen me do this. It is a constructive way to get the hypothalamus of our brain to release the chemicals of the mind to chemically trigger the adrenaline needed to respond in fight response rather than flight response when in a mode of survival. People do martial arts to learn how to defend yourself. Even in the most extreme cases where everything is against you, you can't see, hear, move, and being attacked, you see the person fight to survive. When a father of a young lady, such as these two, can say to me that they know they will never have to worry about their daughters, I know I have done my job. Someone once said it was very "jigsaw" of me to do. But when it comes to self-defense, there is nothing more important than knowing how to fight for your life. 

The final portion was breaking. By this point, it is the last thing the girls have to do and they are running on fumes after what they did physically in the five hours that day, and the 2-3 hours each day prior to that moment. We had chosen hand and foot techniques for them to do, not realizing that they were all techniques they had chosen to do, and they had purposely chosen the most difficult and harder breaks to do. That shows great integrity. Most people will choose the easy way out, but that would not have settled well with these girls. These ladies have standards and they had every intention of meeting, whether people thought they were crazy or not. and THAT I couldn't have been any prouder. 

After the judges reconvened, we decided the girls deservedly so passed their Black Belts. The families were proud, the judges were proud, their parents were proud, and I was very proud. YES I cried, I always do. I used to make fun of my Aunt Dottie, who is one of the greatest teachers you'll ever meet, for always crying at occasions with her students. But I understand why. We had alumni students present, who I got to spend a lot of time at the after party with laughing like odl times, some say they even want to come back to train. Many students stayed to see this test. People from the gym stayed to see what this test was all about. 

When I awarded their certificates, I made a modification to their certificates. A candle on either side with the number "1" on it, to represent that they are the FIRST ever of the new generation of Trento Black Belts, and I couldn't be prouder. It really was, one of the best test we ever had. It was one of the best panels we ever had. And at this present moment, the energy is so good, so great, so positive, so uplifting, the new era is here, and what better way than Danielle and Samantha to pave the way for us.

Danielle and Samantha, you showed such maturity beyond your years. You have grown up so much in 5 years, but you have grown up so much in six days. You did not see this test as torture but as an exciting adventure! You were intense, yet lighthearted. You smiled and didn't get bent out of shape. You welcomed push ups, and you mistakes did not upset you. You never rolled your eyes, you never sighed in disbelief. You didn't listen to the "don't let him get in your head" comments. You welcomed me into your head to build you up and we worked so well together. You were the candles to shine bright and will light the wicks of others to come. You worked beautifully together and will always have this to share with each other for the rest of your lives, and it's because of young adults like yourselves that I can say to people who worry about our world's future, I can say "It'll all be okay" and its because we have people like you as our future. A job well done, ladies. Well done. (BOWS)

Yours in service,

MASTER A TRENTO

(SPECIAL THANKS TO MICHAEL GRELLA FOR THE PICTURES!!)