Preparing for the Test

"It’s easy to think or talk about what you are going to do, but actually doing what you say takes commitment, dedication & more importantly the motivation to get up everyday and push yourself. Motivation is an emotion that allows you to have the ability to get yourself to take action regardless of whether you feel like it or not. Every single day students overcome this inaction with drive, passion and commitment and the results that you are seeing prove just how capable & strong you really are. You don’t have to try and get your head around the whole process of reaching your goals – take it in small steps 1 day at a time."

-Master Kevin Balon

Sunday I drove down 45 minutes away to Fastkix Taekwondo, the school of my mentor, Master Kevin Balon. Master Balon is a 7th Degree Black Belt who I found online when I first looked into AAU Taekwondo three years ago. Three years ago I was working on opening up my own school and looking for a way to belt test for my 3rd Degree. Mater Balon is the district director of New Jersey and is an extremely involved individual in the organization. I drove down a couple of times for private lessons and took my test at Fastkix on June 29, 2009, where I also met my self-defense mentor, Master Samuel DeJesus.

This June, just five months away now, I will be fulfilling my dream of becoming a 4th Degree Master and will be belt testing once more under Master Balon at his school Samantha and Robert accompanied me for the drive (also because they love seeing the tables turn and I'm the student!). As I walked into Master Balon's school, memories flashed before my very eyes. I got the very same feeling of when I first walked in there three years ago. It was a very good time in my life and all those feelings just rushed through me.

Training solo for the last three years as a 3rd Degree Black Belt has a lot of benefits too it, but also has a few disadvantages too. A lot of my material I had taught myself and don't always have that "go to" person to correct me. Master Balon worked with me on all my 2nd Degree Black Belt forms and all my 3rd Degree Black Belt forms. It was the first time ANYONE had ever seen me do these level forms and correct and improve them.

I loved working with Master Balon. First off, he is a plethora of information when it comes to Taekwondo. I am so impressed at how much he knows and understand of the forms, the styles, the techniques, the consistency of the forms, the history, of other Taekwondo organizations-- bottom line: the man is brilliant. I can only hope to retain as much information as he (God knows, I will do my best!).

Master Balon is a true mentor at it's best. He questions me, he makes me think, he holds me accountable, he welcomes debate, he keeps me on my toes, and he knows exactly how to push the envelope just enough to get me to where I need to be. I was in heaven. The amount of detail he covered in the seven forms we did in those couple of hours was unbelievable. I couldn't be happier! He gave me so much to think about and so much to look forward to, and a good direction of where to take my curriculum training for my test before my masters.

We reviewed the set up of the test, discussed the possibility of what I could do for self-defense and breaking, I shared with him other things I am working on with other mentors, and also the possibility of him coming to my pretest in May to facilitate BEFORE the real test in front of my students which would be marvelous! Imagine if I had ALL the mentors there? And I was asked to join other students who will be testing to do a 3 mile jog before the test, symbolically representing all of the candidates on the "path to Black Belt" and journeying together to the test. I LOVE IT.

I was also glad Sam and Rob got to meet Master Balon. He is like Taekwondo royalty in my eyes, and I am forever grateful to have a martial artists such as himself to help me along with my goals. five months left before the big test! And I am doing EVERYTHING I said I would do to prepare for this test. The sense of accomplishment for following through is a feeling I hope everyone can feel.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

A New F.I.G.H.T

This past weekend I had some serious mentor time. Saturday, in particular, I went to my self-defense mentor's school in Rockaway. Master Samuel DeJesus has not only trained in Taekwondo, but is also very well trained in different styles and continues to be a student himself to broaden his horizons. One of those systems is an Israeli martial arts called Krav Maga or Haganah, and the first time I ever heard of it was when I met Master DeJesus when I tested for 3rd Degree. Never did I ever think I would ever learn this type of martial art back then.

Well almost three years later, here I am on his mats with my sneakers on, learning this simple yet devastating high level striking art. I was in heaven. I do not use Taekwondo for self-defense because I do not find it practical, and neither did my old master. We created a leverage based low level escape system, a high level coordinated self-defense system, a practical means of blocking system, evasion system, striking system, and basic ground fighting. You might think you have read basic a few times in this paragraph. Well that's exactly what it is: basic.

Nothing wrong with basic, because as I teach, basic works, not fancy. Well Master DeJesus is helping me for my masters and it's been YEARS since I ever really added on, or had something different in my self-defense training, or take my self-defense training to a new level. Master DeJesus is AWESOME! He is the most humble, light hearted warrior yet his ability and knowledge in this explosive self-defense art is amazing. He had a fellow instructor come to join us named Brian. Brian was an awesome partner and was a big help to me.

We went over the beginning of the curriculum with how to move and Master DeJesus did progressions on the basics he taught me. I went in with an empty mind, hoping to absorb everything I could. I pretended as if I had no self-defense training in my background, and in a sense, I don't with this style. I was a little timid at first, not wanting to punch or hit Brian when we moved around, but I got over that quickly, and got over myself wearing sneakers too. And he was throwing the punches too. Not that he was out to hurt me, but if I didn't move, I'd remember to if I did get hit.

I was in heaven. Learning these open handed defenses and new weapon defenses, it was truly like Christmas morning for me. After we went over the beginning curriculum in the open handed defenses and the gun defenses, we did a review which was really good to keep me on my toes. I couldn't wait to get back to my school and get one of my Black Belts to help me practice. At the end of the lesson, I got to talking to Master DeJesus and asking questions and explaining some of my goals, and expressing how excited I was to continue learning the curriculum and about the art itself. He took out a F.I.G.H.T (Fierce Israeli Guerrilla Hand-to-hand Tactics) handbook that will help me go over what we learned and give me the ability to study the new material I am learning in my new training with him.

Well I was beside myself! I was absolutely thrilled, I couldn't express my gratitude to him enough! He knows me too. I am going to read it cover to cover and not be able to put it down and will be practicing and practicing and he will put me to the test, I know he will. The mentor gave me exactly what would help me move forward in my training and I couldn't be happier! I will be meeting with him again next month and my goal is to commit to at least twice a month. I'll be making up a lot of time in March, but I will really be moving forward.

I really feel awesome learning this self-defense with Master DeJesus. One, it's again me branching out in my training and I know I am entering my masterhood and a whole new level of my training. And two, I have a mentor who epitomizes what it is to be a master, whom I greatly respect and admire. And that always makes the experience ten times more enjoyable! It keeps my spirit strong and happy.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Making Progress!

"Progress is the key to motivation"

It's almost a month since I began my countdown of six months training to the big 4th Degree test. I wanted to start the new year with new habits, new environment, and new perspective. And I am happy to report that I am happy with the progress. When we see ourselves making progress, we get motivated. We acknowledge we are getting better, and we are making a difference for ourselves. 

I have been working on the basic blocks which are found in the core of all our Taekwondo forms and new style forms as well. When the basics of the basics are cleaned up, everything above them improve as well. The basics are like a house's foundation, as my old master would say. If the foundation is weak, the house will crumble. If the foundation is strong, you can continually build on top of it. 

I am so happy in my new apartment and having my old routine back again. I have the best room mate ever, I am getting sleep again, I am eating healthy, I am doing all my workouts (with the few exceptions of car trouble and friend's broken ankles) but I still make up the workouts that get interfered with. And the progress I thought would take a few months took weeks. I am REALLY happy about that. And doing my old mental training again is awesome. I just finished a book on Self-Image and another on Self-Esteem. Going to read one on Self-Confidence soon. 

I am also making a lot of effort to have time with the mentors. As of this week, I have made the commitment to be at Master Bardatsos's to spar EVERY Wednesday! I was there last night and in such a small amount of time I learned soooo much and got a good workout. Little things of how ot totally transform my kicks and when I am supposed to be "taking a break" in between rounds, I am on the side just moving around in the air. I see in the corner of my eye Master Bardastsos is watching me. He then came up to me and said definintely "Halfway through the year, you're going to understand this game so much better than you ever have before," he promises. "You'll do very well. You pick up very fast. You'll see."

Master Bardatsos has NO IDEA how much those 12 seconds of encouragement meant to me. To have that definite tone in his voice that he really believes I'll do well if I keep to my course, and acknowledgment from this Olympic coach is a treasure! As a mentor, he encourages me, he pushes the envelope, and he gives me direction. And I really am feeling better. Of course, the biggest part is the conditioning of being relaxed! I also sparred a new person last night who was awesome! He did a back kick and was an inch away from my nose! It was great!

Tomorrow I get to work with Lisa and then Saturday I go to Rockaway to see Master DeJesus, then Sunday I travel to Spotswood to see Master Balon. So I get some serious mentor time this weekend. Gotta meet with Charlene too. Getting better with those push ups! And I am seeing a difference too. Even with the weights and push ups that I thought I'd be taking some time before moving on with, I feel I am ready to start challenging myself more. 

So the forward momentum is picking up and I am happy with the progress! I am getting more and more motivated and will only continue to be doing greater things! Masterhood, here I come!

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

 

Driving Miss Jessie

I may kill Jessie before she gets better. The adventures continue from her birthday emergency! So Jessie had to go back to a follow up appointment at the hospital that patched her up and put the pins in her ankle. The appointment was yesterday at 2 but she wanted to get there a half hour early. So we left for Summit, NJ at 1:00. So I got there a little earlier to pick her up. I brought over toilet paper and water that she needed. I got a few of her pillows and brought them in my car and sat her in the back of my car.

She needed to move a chair upstairs, then find a shirt, then throw garbage out she couldn't, get all her papers, take the phone charger, we were packing for a week event. We kept laughing and I said to her "This is just another one of those bizarre things we end up doing together." I felt a Lucy adventure coming up.

She was laid out in the back of my car and directing me to the hospital. Then she saying you should turn here, we need to stop there, let's pick this up later, and all I kept thinking about was Morgan Freeman. I said to Jessie in response "Fo' sho' Miss Daisy! Whateva you is needin!" I felt like the driver in Driving Miss Daisy except it was Driving Miss Jessie. 

We got to the hospital and I found a parking spot in the parking garage, dropped her off at the entrance on the top, got the spot, and then we walked off. We had to take an elevator down a few and found out the office we had to go to was right by the lobby of the entrance to the hospital. I should have just dropped her off so she could do the paperwork, then park! Tippy.

We filled out the paperwork and she was called in. But I was amazed at how her office that she works for KNEW she was seeing the doctor and at the doctors office CONTINUOUSLY called her! Like, can they NOT function without her? She manages the procedures and materials along with dictations of reports at a pain institute. She is very good at her job. But you would think this office could back off! We were there for two hours and they continuously called her, "When you get a chance can you tell us about this chart," or "DO I fax this over to this doctor," or even "Where do I find such and such." o____O

The doctor came in (and she is on and off on the phone with work -__-) and took off the old bandage and splint. I kept calling it the new Air Forces! But she had a better description: her leg looked like a transformer! I took the Power Ranger route and told her "It's Morphin Time!" but nothing happened.

We left and got back home at 5:30 but not before stopping at the bank first, getting her back into bed, getting a few things in place for your majesty. It was tiring, but I'll do whatever I can to help her.....

Which brings us to today. I get a phone call she is upset, angry, and frustrated-- and in pain. She goes up and down the stairs on her rear end one step at a time, but it's painful, so the doctor's gave her this little portable toilet in this contraption in case of emergency. Well bringing the miniature potty upstairs, her cat was playing around and had her drop it while she was going up the stairs. So I came over, kept Jessie from murdering her cat, cleaned the stairs, got her new clothes, found old Taekwondo pants and cut them for her, she sat in her shower and cleaned off while I moved things around downstairs, made her hard boiled eggs, got her coffee, fed the cat, and before I left I asked "An'thing mo' Miss Daisy?"

We got a good laugh at that. I understand her frustration because I am very independent and not like asking for help. Maybe that is why her spirit wanted this to happen. We are very similar in the respect that we are always on the move and do not know how to relax. And when things like this happen we question "Why did this happen to me?" etc etc etc. But my answer was very simple. "If these things didn't happen to us, I'd have nothing to blog about!" She agreed with a laugh!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

A Lesson in Sensitivity

"We teach what we need to learn the most."

-Richard Bach

Have you ever had a time where somebody may have said something to you, not meaning to hurt you in any way but said something as a joke or just obliviously and it really bothered you? You know what that is like for someone who is very sensitive or overly sensitive? Working with kids for years, I can recognize it very well. But I myself am a very sensitive person. I hate admitting that, but I am. I sometimes am overly sensitive. Knowing this about myself I try very hard not to get offended or take insult to things that may be said to me, whether in fun or with no ill intent.

But then there's that notion that in jokes or in kidding around, there lies a hint of truth in what the person is joking about? Where, maybe, that person does believe what they are saying? These pop into my head sometimes, and unless I really do know, I do my best to shake it off and "get over myself." But sometimes chords are hit and it's even harder to shake off. When this happens, I know myself, so I isolate myself to an extent or just shut my mouth, not wanting to fly off the handle or be a big baby.

On top of that, the notion of we teach what we need to learn most comes to my mind. People often ask me after I give credit to my master for teaching me some brilliant lesson or philosophy, "How could he teach you such a thing when he himself doesn't live it himself!?" Truth is, we indeed teach others what we ourselves need to learn the most. Many times we find faults in people so well because we have them in ourselves. We find victories in others because we hold them inside too. Truth is, the lessons my old master taught me were so great and wonderful, but he really needed to learn them himself. So I acknowledge, although it may be hypocritical to many, I am teaching a lesson here on sensitivity knowing I need to learn it myself, and making an effort to do so.

The ones who do not acknowledge their need to learn something they try to teach and believe they know all and act in a way in which their behavior and experiences conflict are hypocrites. Those who teach lessons and admit they too struggle with the lessons they teach are the most honest and truest teachers. That is how I want to be. I believe that is what a master lives up to be. A master is not perfect but they control their effort in overcoming their struggles and controlling their attitudes and responses as they teach the lessons themselves. For the greatest students and teachers are the ones who experiences both sides of the spectrum that get the great depth of the experience and can teach it best.

So with that being said, a couple of friends called me funny looking as they were kidding around. But it struck a chord hard. I am extremely confident in my abilities and love the person that I am. But something a few people do not know is that I never thought I was a good looking person. Truth of the matter is anyone over 30 would always say what a good looking guy I am. No one under the age of 30 or around my age ever said so. No girls ever called me "cute" or "hot" or anything of that sort. So you can't help that over a period of time, you kind of accept that as true.

One topic that always comes up, whether it be a joke or not is my hair. I am like a cartoon character. The hair style has NEVER changed in all my life. It's been parted the same way for years, this little flip falls in front of my face, it's like trade-marked. When I was younger I had students who would imitate me and make their hair like mine first before impersonating me. It was a little attribute to who I was. Even though my hair is NOT who I am, people know me by my hair style. That is kind of funny actually.

What's not funny, at least to me, is that almost everyone that I meet who knows me for a long period of time tell me, it's time to change it. You need a change. Etc, etc etc. Why do I need a change? For what reason do I need a change? I like it, and that's that, no? But by people telling me I need to change it, and then joking about how I am funny looking, you get the feelings that something is wrong with how you look. Maybe girls would like me more if I changed my hair, maybe people would accept me more if I changed the way I look? These are the thoughts one would have if they have low self-esteem on the way they look and are oversensitive.

Well those are the thoughts that came up in my mind. Wow, everyone says I need to change my hair style. I was called funny looking by two people. Someone told me how to change my hair exactly as someone else described it. SO do I conform to what conform to everyone and change the style? Or do I stand my ground showing I have some kind of self-worth that "No matter what you say or do to me, I am still a worthwhile person" (Jack Canfield)?

I really like my hair, I have had it all my life, and I do actually like the fact I can say I have had the same style all my life and am known for it. At the same time, I never thought I was a good looking person, and maybe this would be a good change? Maybe I won't be "funny looking" anymore. Am I being too sensitive? When you are torn from something so simple and meaningless, it becomes an issue of whether or not you are in alignment with your values. Is my value that it doesn't matter what anyone says, don't change because other people say you have to or because you're wrong in some way. That you shouldn't change to "fit in." Or is the value, if you don't like something, you should do something about it. I don't like the way I look, but I like my hair. Cannot change my face, but I can change my hair. Tippy.

SO what do you think? Not based on how I look, but on the values. Should I change my hair? Should I do it soon? Or should I not change it at all? Or after my 4th Degree test change the outside look along with the title? Leave a comment.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Birthday Emergency

Thursday was the birthday of my good friend Jessie. She turned 45 and I was going to take her to her favorite place that night for her birthday. I texted her, Facebooked her, and called her to wish her a happy birthday and that I'd see her later, etc. Then at like a quarter after one, I get a phone call from her son Kenny. Kenny is a "texter" so I was curious as to why he was calling, and any of my Friars I will pick up the phone.

"Hey Kenny, how are you?" "Eh, I'm alright...well, not really. Mom broke her ankle." "WHAT?! But it's her birthday!" as if that was an intellectual reason for this not to happen. "I'll be there in five minutes." Now Jessie works about a half hour away. But she was at an office for the doctor she works for in Union, NJ. She stepped on the curb and the curb broke and she ended up breaking the ankle VERY badly. So her son and I drove down the parkway to 138, found her, found out where the ambulance was taking her, the manager and doctor were very helpful, and we were to go to the other office to get her things.

When I saw her, the first thing I said to her was "You know, there are other ways of getting attention on your birthday!" But she was more concerned about the work she had to get done for her employer, how her son was getting back to school in Rhode Island the next day, but she needed to take care of this ankle, because it looked bad. SO we got her car from the parking lot, the ambulance brought her to the hospital, and Kenny and I went further down the parkway to the other office to get things she needed like her purse, phone charger, and of course most importantly, her birthday cake!

Then Kenny and I ventured back up the parkway to find the hospital she was in, find HER, then when we did, we looked at her x ray. OUCH. She's already making friends with the doctors and nurses, asking them if they can take a picture of it on their phone and send it to her! Then the doctors tried to "reduce" the ankle. Apparently I don't know what this is because I thought it's just making swelling go down, but they do this by having me and Kenny hold her arms in place so she doesn't move while pushing and moving the bone back into place. The first two times it popped out, the last time they got the splint on, but after another X Ray they found it was not stable and had to do surgery that night at 11PM.

She was a real trooper, and everyone is calling her on her cell phone to wish her a happy birthday and then she says thanks but I can't talk I'm in the emergency room with a broken ankle, as if this is an everyday occurrence. Kenny went back to college before the snow hit, and I'll make sure she feels comfortable, but it looks like she is going to have to have another surgery. Was it her idea of the perfect birthday? Definitely not, but she was a true warrior during the whole thing! Send her good thoughts and prayers!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

The Level Test

Last Saturday was the long awaited level test for three of my Black Belts. They worked very hard getting their requirements down in order to qualify for this test. At my school, we do these one day, few hours level tests, almost like midterms to see where the Black Belts are at and whether or not they are ready to learn the next part of their curriculum. It takes two years by me to go from 1st Dan to 2nd Dan, if the student chooses to go that route.

This was also my first level test where I had my Black Belts do a plethora of material, the most I have ever done on a level test. It's attributed mostly due to the fact I taught them so much in the last year. I went according to the AAU Taekwondo guidelines which makes it a very standard test, nothing like the actual BELT tests which are numerous days long, like Ms Barrett's. The AAU Guidelines are Patterns, General Knowledge, Self-Defense, Sparring, and Breaking.

For patterns they had to perform the traditional Taekwondo forms (I.T.F tuls), the Olympic Taeguek forms, and the Olympic Palgwe system forms. Not many students teach all three. The general knowledge portion was historical information on the traditional forms, basic Korean terminology, and then performance of their basic blocks, kicks, and kicking combinations. Then for self-defense they had to demonstrate their low level escapes, higher level self-defenses, and the ground defenses. Then we did Olympic style Taekwondo sparring which was 2 minute rounds, light head contact allowed, and they all did at least 4 or five matches. Then we ended with their Black Belt required breaks.

Robert Lisciandrello, Erin McKenna, and Andrew Kranich have trained together for years under me. Each one performed very well, and each has showed interest in testing for 2nd Degree. It's funny because as I continue to journey to masterhood, I have done a lot of reflecting and a lot of going back into time in my head. I remember when I took my 1st Dan level II test with Kristin Barrett in August of 2004. I remember the standards that we made so high for students who followed us afterward. Then I think of how I was training for MY 2nd Dan test and what my test was like. Kristin Barrett set the standard for 2nd Dan for my school, but I wonder if these three can exceed it. You never know.

I am always trying to push the envelope, as a good mentor should do. The most prepared for this test was Robert. Robert put in so much time into his training, he really wanted to get better, he really wanted to test well, and his improvement showed. You can just tell he put the time and work in. His conditioning and sparring (which he used to hate) has improved tremendously, and he sets goals for himself WITHOUT me having to badger him. He will be an incredible 2nd Dan if he keeps to his course.

Andrew has a lot of potential. He was just beginning to tap into that potential when he got his Black Belt, doing an incredible amount of training at the time. He said at the end of his test, he did well but feels he can do better. I know if he puts in the time and effort, he will be very prepared for his 2nd Degree test and leave a higher standard than I did when I test for 2nd Degree back in 2005.

Erin is an overthinker. She always has been. It's a good thing sometimes, and other times it is not. As a teacher I LOVE questions. And so does she. She asks many questions which is a very good thing. But when you ask the same questions over and over, it's more of a sign of doubt. She sometimes questions herself and at one point, I had three women Black Belt have some "girl talk" with her to get her mind back on track. Once they did that, she moved forward. She did great after that, and kept her focus. But again, she has a fire in her that needs to burn on the outside! I remember training with the women I went through the ranks with, and the guys were afraid of them!

The level test is a great "checkpoint" and I give feedback to the students as to where they can improve and what they should be looking for as they continue on with their training for their next belt test. They have one year to properly prepare. The five P's of achievement stand for Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance. As long as they don't take the next year lightly, and train as if their test is tomorrow, they will shine like the candles they really are. Congratulations to Robert, Erin, and Andrew and good luck with the next half of the journey to 2nd Dan!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Beginning of a Beautiful Thing!

Sunday was Lisa and my Highest Potential Seminar, The Fundamentals to Wellness: Real Recovery, Real Food, Real Results. It was the first of a series of seminars Lisa and I are going to do. This seminar was the introduction of all the things we have done in my mental training to becoming a better and healthier me, and an opportunity to share and help others as well. It is also a milestone for us, because it was our first time working TOGETHER collaboratively.

For me, it was an absolute honor to actually be working with my mentor, Lisa. And of course, as a mentor should, she challenges me and puts me to the task of putting my skills to the test by doing a seminar like this. And you know what? I think we worked GREAT together. We worked well off each other, we picked up where another left off, we worked off each others stories, of course I still needed to look at my notes here and there, but it's a start. It didn't phase our audience, and we had their attention from the beginning to the very end.

Lisa is always vivacious and wonderful story teller. I know everyone I introduce her to is absolutely going to LOVE her, and they DO. She is a great story teller, funny, animated, and of course highly intelligent. She is a plethora of knowledge and I am always trying to sponge up all I can from her. This seminar really kept me on my toes. But I was also so happy for HER because I know this is something SHE has always wanted to do as well. I remember back in July, we went to eat lunch one day and she told me she always wanted to open her own practice to help people "REALLY RECOVER." And she also did not feel worthy enough to speak in front of other. Well of course, being who I am, totally was blunt and said YES YOU CAN! YOU ARE TOTALLY WORTHY!

But she did not feel confident at the time. Now, I KNEW the great knowledge she had, and I also knew what an amazing story she, herself has. I planned back then to have her tell her story and start her practice by helping people through my own business. But never did I think that I, too, would be involved in her journey. And I am so happy that I am, and even happier she feels I can do it. But I was also thrilled that some VERY important people in Lisa's life were present also. Her very close friends Jill, Marni, and Miriam were in attendance. To have them present for this rite of passage into our new venture together, and to have helped such a great deal was and even greater privilege for myself.

Of course I was my goofy self at our seminar. Speaking in front of people is second nature to me. But this was very new information, especially the nutritional information. I am still learning and retaining, and when I lose confidence I speak quickly and then forget my vocabulary completely and use kindergarten word structure sometimes. But when I needed her to, Lisa swooped in, and the seminar flowed without a hint of anything. Jill said watching the two of us was like watching a vaudeville act. LOL!!! But it really was a thrill putting my knowledge to the task, getting people to understand the principles of TRUE nutrition and eating good food, and putting my knowledge to the task.

The oils was also an amazing experience and giving testimonials and having everyone smell different kinds. It was awesome having Miriam there too, who has a great amount of experience and knowledge about them. And then Lisa and I did group hypnosis TOGETHER! I have never done it before, and it was successful! They thought they were under for like 5 or ten minutes when in reality they were under for more like 40-45 minutes! The entire experience was awesome.

This is just the beginning of a beautiful thing! I think of the end of Casablanca where the two say "I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship." But truth is, Lisa and I HAVE a beautiful friendship which is why this seminar worked so well. And which is why our future is filled with so many wonderful things as we keep to our course. A shout out and SPECIAL thank your to Marni for filming the entire seminar, Jill for taking pictures, audio recording, and being our tech support, and Miriam for taking care of our tables and her support in our power point presentation! And thank you to Lisa for such a wonderful experience, and here's to an awesome new journey!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Blast from the Past

 

Going up through the ranks, I trained very closely with four other people whom are some of the closest friends I have in my life. I dubbed us a group name, the Friars. Years later, we are now the Friars of Old. We trained in martial arts together, some of us Black Belt tested together, we all taught together, and we all grew up together. Most of our life experiences we all shared together and what helped the great bond between us all was the spiritual connection of the lessons the martial arts gave us. P.S, we all triained under the same master and shared those same experiences as well.

After seven years, we all kind of went our separate ways. Kenny worked, Nina went to college, Kristin went to the army, Julie was raising her beautiful daughter, and I was still teaching and training with the old master. However, we all were constantly in each others lives in some way and knew exactly what was going on with each other. In fact, I know I would talk to them just about every week. We would have certain traditions and outings that we continued to do as well. But the first time we all were together, ALL of us together, was four years after we all left the old master, and it was in uniform for TMAFC's first Black Belt test.

Last week, I walk into my school, and a whole bunch of people are already in my school! Most people would be like "what the heck is this?!" I am just happy I have students who ware committed enough to do their workouts and train seriously. However, it wasn't just my own students, but a few special guests. Two of the Friars, Kenny and Julie, happened to be here as well. And TRAINING! I cannot tell you last time each of them did martial arts training. But Kenny is back from college and trained with Robert when I couldn't and when Julie heard, she came swinging over too. 

I was thrilled to see them in MY school doing a workout. Before you know it, we were all doing forms together. Of course here I am, getting the camera out capturing the moment! Robert was thrilled because these were the people who once taught him when he was a kid! Now he is actually working WITH them! But he doesn't realize the thrill for me, I am doing forms with these people and I used to ALWAYS train WITH them. It may have been the first time we did forms together in 7 years.

The funny thing is, they still GOT IT! They have the range of motion, the flexibility, maybe not the memorization, but after a few times reviewing, they caught on, like riding a bike! It was so much fun doing these forms again, who else could understand and appreciate this?? Oh! That's right, a mentor! Lisa came in for her workout with me and finally got to meet two of the Friars and we performed a form for her, knowing she would absolutely LOVE it!

 It's these spontaneous and silly moments we run into in our lives that we really love and remember. The fact that I just walk into my school and there's these people already here working out, but then them being the people who you trained with from the past! I reminded me of the old days a little bit. You know that feeling that overcomes you from a pastime and you feel like you are actually there years ago again? That's how I felt. It was so awesome! And my Friars of Old are ALWAYS welcome at TMAFC!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Bad CARma

So a couple months ago I wrote about how helpless I felt when I got a flat tire and had no answer to my problem in the middle of the night. I wish I had writers that could make scripts to the Lucy-like scenarios I find myself in. It really would be a hit television show if I could have these scripts made. My car is a 1999 Ford Taurus, silver or gray (depends who's looking) and I named her Rosie. Rosie has been my car for six years. But as she gets older, she becomes more mischievous.

When I got Rosie towed a few months ago, I had to get two new tires. I left it over night a tire place, and Robert was nice enough to pick me up one morning to go and get the tires and pay. When I got there, he chose to wait and thank God he did because sure enough, they did not have the tires I needed after 40 minutes of waiting -_____- . Robert did say beforehand that with our luck they wouldn't and that's why he stayed. He attracted it, I blame him LOL.

So this past Sunday, I put the key in the ignition and Rosie made a weird sound. "Vrum, vrum vrum vrum vrum," before starting. What was THAT all about? Maybe I need gas (which I did). I got gas, and once again I started the car and "Vrum vrum vrum vrum vrum," before starting. I don't get it...well I went to church and when I left church the same things happens but this time the entire car vibrated as if I were driving over railroad tracks whose tracks are only an a few inches apart.

My school is only a block away from the church so I drive it a block away with the new high whistling sound. When I made the turn to go into the parking lot, I heard a snap, smoke coming from under the hood and the steering wheel locked. UH oh....and now I make this BIG WIDE turn into the first parking spot. Now, I do not know much about cars. Correction: I know NOTHING about cars. So what does a guy like me do? I open the hood and search for the ON/OFF button that does not exist but hoping maybe this time it'll show up.

A friend knew a mechanic who could take a look at it, I called AAA and towed it to this mechanic's shop. So I call a friend who I know lives close by and he graciously said he would give me a lift home. He picks me up and we stop by a place to get gas. When we got there, the gas attendant broke the flap where the gas goes and then told my friend it was like that! My friend, who is very smart and knows a thing or two about cars knows he is speaking from the sides of his mouth and asks for the manager, hoping the company will pay for the damage.

However the manager is not very nice., has an attitude, and starts speaking in Spanish (I speak it too though ;]) and would not exchange information. Now I know if this manager was nice about the situation, my friend would have probably let the whole thing go. But now you are being disrespectful and giving an attitude, so my friend calls a police officer to get a police report. And rightfully so! In business, the customer is always right!

Well we wait for the officer, he goes back and forth, writes a report, and leaves. Now my friend puts his key in the ignition........."Vrum vrum vrum vrum vrum.....tick tick tick tick..." His car won't start. O.M.G. My luck with cars has trickled onto him! I felt terrible! He thought it was quite funny at first, so then he called his wife to come by to jump his car, while the manager who we just got a police report about is telling us to move the car. Can you make this up?

Only the next day another friend of mine had a battery problem with their car. And then Robert told me his grandparents had car trouble as well! Well wouldn't you know the bad CARma did not stop! I woke up this morning to find my car missing from the front of my house due to a few issues overlooked, but took the entire day (and bank account) to resolve! I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Oh, and my cell phone died and I don't know where I packed the charger when I moved, that was a funny added touch to my Friday the 13th.

With the amount of money Rosie cost me this week, I could have bought a brand new car. I just hope Rosie lasts one more year before I start thinking about new vehicles! But no more bad CARma!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Successful Friendship

A few weeks ago I watched the classic movie with Jimmy Stewart, It's a Wonderful Life. It wasn't originally made to be a Christmas movie, but it is always thought of and played as one. It's a wonderful story about how one person in the world can touch so many lives and have such an impact in the world, and that person may never know it.

I know a lot of times, we have all thought at one point "oh the world would be better off without me," or "No one will ever miss me," or even "No one really cares about me." That is exactly how the main character in It's a Wonderful Life felt and would rather have never been born.The movie goes throughout his entire life and sees the events and choices he has made and the wonderful things he has done for his family, friends, and people in his entire town.

When he is given a glimpse of what it would be like without him being born, he is given a huge eye opener. By not being born he was not there to save his brother from drowning, so his brother was not there in the war to save those 60 hostages, and he wasn't there to stop the druggist from overdosing medication for a client, and he wasn't there to stop the rich snob of the town from taking over financially. He could never have thought things could be so bad without his existence.

At the end of the movie, the angel who guided him to rekindling his gift of life writes him a letter and one line in the letter that really caught my eye was: "Remember, no man is a failure who has friends." Ain't it the truth! When the main character, George, was in trouble, that was all the town needed to know, and they came in great numbers and delivered! I tear up when I see this part of the movie. To be so loved and respected and to have all these people who he has touched in such a great way come out to help him, just breath taking to me.

I am very lucky to have the friends I have in my life. And if the angel, Clarence, is right in his letter, then I must say I am no failure because I have such wonderful friends. But I pause to think of a few gems that come to mind right away. Kristin Barrett and I go as far back as I can remember. She is one of the few people whom I hold very close to my heart, and one of the few people I have no secrets with. She knows just about everything about me. And I know she will always have my back and be there for me as I will for her. Robert Lisciandrello is what I call the powerhouse of friendship. His loyalty alone is golden to me. To have seen what a wonderful man he turned out to be is priceless and is always there for me.

The rest of my Friars (Kenny, Julie, and Nina) I always put on a pedestal. We've gone through a lot together and really grew up to be who we are today together in each others lives in some way. We learned some of the greatest things that we use in our lives together as well, and that alone bonds us for life. I am eternally grateful to still have them in my life. Then there is Lisa who is such a gift to anyone who comes in contact with her. Intelligent, so loving, and so much fun, Lisa is the kind of friend I can bring to anyone and she fits right in. Our friendship grew very fast and very strong. And not only is she my friend but a mentor whom I love to death and respect so much. And then there is Jessie, who I have known for so long. We have the same values and interests in life, and we share the want to think at a higher level but also keep a child-like wonder in the world!

I have a friend named Melinda, who was actually a friend of my brother's first. She is very smart and the life of the party. She is full of energy and is pretty much considered part of the family. The only family friend I can think of actually. And when you're with Melinda, you can't help but smile and laugh because the one word I would label Melinda with is FUN. John Vanderhee is another friend whom I don't get to see as often but we talk as often as we can. John is very loyal, fun to be around, and when we trained in martial arts we would have so much fun. John is also a very big fan as well as a loving friend. And my little brother from another mother, Frankie! I've known him for so long and he is this laid back, cool, humorous guy who grabs everyone's attention with his witty personality and unique style. I love that kid so much!

These are just a few gems I think of at the top of my head. There are so many, and I often wish I could have them all together in one room just one time, just to be with them all at once. I imagine that and I just get extremely happy and I fill up with love. Clarence is right, no man can consider himself a failure when he has friends. I am eternally grateful for the friends I have in my life. Some of those friends are more than friends. They are family. As I get older, I find who my true friends are, and I couldn't be happier knowing they are there for me as I am for them.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

Response to Hate Mail

I've been waiting a few weeks before writing this blog, because I didn't want to react. I wanted to sit, think, and properly make a response of my thoughts after letting my thoughts and feeling marinate. The Thursday before Christmas I received hate mail anonymously. There was no return address, no signature, but handwriting on the front page of both letters. However, I recognized the handwriting right away. I also have a filing cabinet in my office with other material I happened to have with this person's handwriting. But I will not say who it is.

The envelopes with no return address or signatures enclosed two print outs of blog posts of mine. One of them was entitled Time for Sparring posted November 9th which was about my meeting with my sparring mentor, Master Bardatsos. The other was a the blog entitled Inadequacy at its Best from December 17th, about how inadequate I felt sparring with the Olympic team members.

For the record, and those who consistently read my blog get "it," but my blog is not about my business. It does not promote my business, I rarely talk about my business. I do talk about, however, my journey as a student becoming a master. Lessons, events, training, projects, and feeling leading up to my 4th Degree test. I want to give an open and honest account of my journey. I believe a master is a humble being, and I find it humbling to be able to admit I do not know everything rather than pretend I do like many masters I have come across.

The Time for Sparring blog was about meeting Master Bardatsos and how he will be able to give me sparring experience that I have never had before and the opportunity to continuously spar these champions on a regular basis. You only get better by working with people who are better than you. So I practice what I preach and do just that! I was once taught to welcome challenges and that one of our human needs is to be challenged. So I continue to apply that lesson. This person wrote in one corner of the blog "First of all you started your own school without Bardatsos. You're making it in this world without Bardatsos. Why cheapen yourself now?"

Some may take that as, oh they are actually complimenting you. Read it again. You have to look at the intention of what is being written. First off they are putting down my mentor. Second, they are saying I am cheapening myself. If admitting I need to go to the best Olympic sparring coach and spar his champions in order to REALLY get better to make myself a better student, therefore an even better teacher is cheapening myself, then yes, I am.

The bottom corner said "Be Yourself. Since when was Peter a 6th Degree? Check for yourself." The night before I received these letters, two of my Black Belts (Sam Volk and Robert Lisciandrello) were with me at Bardatsos and DeGeorge's school. His belt is on the wall with six stripes. We can count. But who would call Master Bardatsos by first name like that I wonder....Yes, Master Bardatsos is registered as a 4th Degree in the Kukkiwon system, but there are many of us that are behind in the Kukkiwon certifications. When I met Master Balon he was a 4th Degree Kukkiwon, but was a 6th Degree Black Belt. There was an overlap for me when I was a 3rd Degree Black Belt but only 2nd Degree Kukkiwon certified. My old master wasn't certified in anything.

Then the bottom said "Great disappointment in you." Working with experts to make myself better is disappointing. Hmph. And this person who sent these letters mention me starting my own school. This blog post had NOTHING to do with my school. Why is it an issue? Well I guess we can't make everyone proud.

The Inadequacy at its Best blog was a very honest account of how insecure I felt sparring these Olympic Taekwondo champs. This is elite sparring. I've NEVER done so much elite sparring before. Advance level with Black Belts, yes, Elite, I never had the chance and consistently at that! Well the anonymous author wrote "I don't get it. You own your own school but you feel inadequate? Nice going! I really want to train with someone who feels inadequate. Not!!!" Woooooooow.

First off, the context of the blog was elite Olympic sparring. Nothing else. Once again, my school is mentioned. Why is business being brought up? And my old master was able to teach me such wonderful things yet not do them himself, so why is it that admitting where I feel inadequate in a blog that brings up accounts of my journey as a student irrelevant? I also think it takes a lot of courage for someone to admit when they feel insecure about something. And that open honesty builds trust in others. I am open and honest, and my readers see the necessary steps I am taking to becoming a greater and better martial artists and one day master. And I don't feel inadequate with anything else, thank you.

I am pretty sure I know who the sender of this hate mail is. Again, I won't voice, nor need to engage. I am a warrior choosing not to engage in war. It's not needed. Someone once told me a long time ago that if I choose to do bigger and greater things in life, be prepared to take the whole package. Envy and jealousy, and ill feelings can follow your successes. I took this lightly at the time. I wonder why both posts this reader chose to send me involved my sparring mentor Master Bardatsos. Hmmmmm....

I am not going to lie, at first it really caught me off guard and I was upset. After talking to family and friends (who also recognized the handwriting), it actually became more comical to me. I think it's cowardly to send a letter like that anonymously in such a negative connotation. No return address, no signature. I also believe that as an adult, its extremely childish and even sad that they took the time out of their day to go out of their way to send and write. Was the effort really necessary? I have all the compassion in the world for this person. They are obviously very hurt, angry, and probably miserable. I hope they feel better sending those letters and acknowledging the fact I am moving forward in my journey.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO
3rd Dan Kukkiwon and AAU certified Black Belt

The Highest Potential Seminar

What better experience is there than to actually work WITH one of your mentors? What an awesome that experience that would be! To actually put together the skills the mentor and the men-tee in a collaborative piece of work. TO have the mentor put you in a position to apply what they train you in. To have the opportunity to share with others what you learn, and to help others.

Well I am going to get just that! My mental training/spiritual mentor is Professor Lisa Sargese. We met back in 2008 when I took her Intro to Religion Class at Montclair State University. I knew right from the get-go, she was an awesome person, and a master educator. I pinned her as someone I wanted to be close with and have guide me to learning the things I really wanted to know. We kept in touch here and there and then really reconnected June 10, 2011. Since then we've had a growing friendship and she has been mentoring me once again as the professor with new skills on my way to becoming a master instructor in martial arts.

The things I have learned from her are absolutely priceless! Spiritual lessons, healing arts, essential oils, hypnosis, nutritional healing, and psychology. I am actually getting the college degree without the degree, you can say. I cannot even put a price on the value of what I am learning from her, and the amazing results from applying the information with myself and others. So we have put together a seminar to share this great information, and to help others reach their highest potential to becoming a healthier and better person.

This seminar will give a lot of phenomenal nutritional information. Lisa will also have the chance to tell her story as well. And she has an amazing story and I remember hearing it back in 2008, and it was one of the reasons I loved her and respected her so much. Not afraid to show and share her struggles and tell the world how to take care of yourself, Lisa survived weight loss surgery and knows all the do's and don'ts of how to take care of yourself. She has learned from the best of the best and has had some phenomenal victories as a result of this information we will be sharing. She has cured herself of anemia, and I believe she has her diabetes under control. She is metabolically reconstructing herself, no matter what the challenge. A true Black Belt of her own kind.

We will also talk about the essential oils, that have done amazing things for myself and for others. We want to give people the chance to hear some awesome testimonials and experience the oils that very day. We may even make our own blends that will be customized for people's needs. And we will do an hour of hypnosis to help people with weight management, good habits, goals setting, and quit smoking. To have the chance to do this and have the opportunity to help others is so exciting. And it will be at my own school at Trento's Martial Arts and Fitness Center on January 15th at 1PM!

But I am also thrilled to have the chance to actually work with my personal mentor. I can only imagine how Bob Hope felt working with his mentor Jack Benny, or how Carol Burnett felt working with Lucille Ball, or how Michael Jackson felt dancing with James Brown. That's how I feel having the chance to work with Lisa! I am so excited, and am even more excited to share the wonderful things we have to offer to people, and to continue to work with people afterward and hearing the great results they will have.

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO

P.S Anyone interested in the Highest Potential Seminar can call 201-203-0773 or email at tmafcinfo@gmail.com. Pre-Registration is $50, of $65 at the door.

New Year Challenges

"Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change."

-Dr. Wayne Dyer

I am really happy with my time today with my training. With the new year now here I am really making the effort to taking control of all areas of my life and the things important to me. One of those things being my training. I got very lazy during the holidays, besides sick, and used excuses not to do much. Although the last week of the year I normally do this. Well, I am motivated and energetic, and even excited about starting my training for this year! 

But what comes along with the beginning of training is also the coming of little frustrations as the hurdles present themselves. I have not used weights or dumbbells in my training for a little over a month. And guess what: I feel it big time. OY! I began using dumbbells in my training to lift when I was 14 years old. I remember my old master used to do a Saturday morning class and it was the first time I ever did any workout with dumbbells, and I used 5 pound dumbbells and I couldn't believe how much I was struggling. I thought "Psh, five pounds, easy!" Well I put my foot in my mouth, or dumbbell in this case. Over the year I slowly moved up to 8 pounds, later to ten, which was a big deal, then I finally moved up to 12 pound dumbbells. 

Now my lifting dumbbells is not my bench lifting. They are two different exercises and for two different purposes. Most of my life, I never wanted BIG muscles like gym meat heads, I only wanted a cut, tone, definition. I would competitively spar and didn't want weight slowing me down either, I felt slow anyhow! But I did keep up with the sculpting class at my old school. When I was on my own, there was a little break and when I went back to lifting I went right to the 12 pounds and did pretty well. Then before I opened and lost all the weight from eating well and doing kickboxing, the lifting of dumbbells did help me do exactly what I wanted, toned me up, gave me definition, and I felt cut, but not a huge muscle meat head.

Well yesterday I lifted weights for the first time in over a month. IN the summer, Charlene had me use 15 pound dumbbells and less reps of WOOOOOO that was awesome! I was thinking of moving up because (at the time) 12's were no longer challenging. HOWEVER, when I lifted yesterday, my muscles were struggling and sore with the 12's. Uh oh. I did it again. Backed off from progress and now have to work my way back up. Frustrating? A little bit. But with my motivating attitude that I have with the new year, I have formed a PLAN. I have SO many plans and systems that I cannot see how I can ever get bored.

 

For the next couple of months I will use my 12 pound dumbbells and build up until I feel there is no more challenge in the muscles and they can endure the 12 pounds like they used to. And every couple of weeks, maybe every week, I will change the routines to "shock" the muscles and truly see they're endurance level and develop, that way they don't get to a comfort level I won't be able to break out of  and limit myself. My goal is to build up to 15 pound dumbbells like Charlene had me do. This may take some time, and I am not going to put any time limit on this. This is long term and part of my overall fitness health. But I DO want to get up to at MOST 20 pound dumbbells. Less reps of course, but a good level where not only where I will get stronger, but maintain any and all progress made from the 12's. 

The other big challenge I had were with those damn push ups -_______- , oh how I despise these push ups. One of my former instructors told me how he really believes if there was any exercise where he really saw the greatest results from, it were push ups. He also agrees, however, that whoever invented push ups should be shot. LOL! But part of the reason I AM doing them is because I don't like them. I have to "east the frog," as Lisa would say, and just get through it. Wayne Dyer says "Change the way you look at things and the things you look at will change." That's exactly the lesson I need to apply.

I have to do six different type of push ups, like I used to do. NO KNEES, full push up. And I have to be able to build up to doing 100 of each one. Regular, half with left leg up-half with right leg up, alternating legs, wide push up, close-hand push ups, and push up with the clap. Oh dear Lord, help me! I built up to 25 reps of each which was good. But then, like the weights, I backed off and lost progress. This I was a little more frustrated with than the dumbbells. I REALLY struggled big time with reps of 25. Not a happy camper about that. I want to maybe drop down to 20, but  they way I felt, I might have to drop to 15! I guess I will feel it out. Recently I had the opportunity to speak with a master nutritionist and trainer and he suggests bumping up reps in tens. So maybe 20 then to 30 might be a better route. Gotta start somewhere. 

Maybe that's why I am getting frustrated. After making progress I feel like I am starting over. Hmm. Maybe I should change the frustration to excitement! Charlene said it best to me in my training over the summer: Yay! Room for improvement! And of course I moaned about how frustrated I was to Charlene and she told me exactly what I would tell anyone else: "Keep pushing on! You can do it!" Yes Ma'am.

I also had mentor time with Lisa, which I will talk more about tomorrow. But we are working on a big seminar on reaching your highest potential, using the information and skills she is teaching me toward my master test. And some of the information on nutritional healing I grasp so well, mostly because I have a little background in it. And some of it is very hard to grasp, especially when you are thirsty to retain it ALL. Stuudy and practice, study and practice. It's the best way. But with this information I am thrilled about, because there is so much, but I see the results from it all. Absolutely amazing!

Then last but not least, last night I went to Little Falls to spar. I got there a little late because I still teach at my school, even with a little schedule change, and made it in time for the sparring class. Now I already had a full day. I did forms for two hours in the morning, mental training, another hour of training with the weights and push ups, trained someone else, mentor time with Lisa, taught all my classes and DID the kickboxing class as I taught it to warm up for sparring, and then went TO spar. And I injured my ribs somehow and knew I would be struggling with it. But I wanted to be a bad ass warrior so I sucked it up. Nothing is going to stop me from making the progress I want to make this year. If I were to stop at everything that could do this or do that, I'd get no where.

I held my own. I sparred Steven Lin for three matches, each match 3 rounds of 2 minutes. I got less bruises than last time (oils help!), and we used the electronic chest protectors which would keep score when you kick it. One of the instructors who I have known since I was a kid, Mr. Carlos, told me that I cannot be thinking. "These guys, they don't think when they are out there, they just react." Makes sense. Thinking takes time. I need muscle memory. The drills need to be drilled into ME. I have to do what I am supposed to do naturally, not with a struggle. 

These are elite fighters. I am pretty advanced, and I go toe to toe with Steven because he is awesome and I want to give him as good a match as I know he will give me. And he will make me better. Also, I want to help him since he is leaving next week for the U.S Trials, Phase 7 for the Olympics at the headquarters in Colorado Springs. Eleni and Simone were there two and I have to say I learn so much from watching them spar as well. Their motions and kicks are effortless. Excellent range of motion, and some of the new strategies and kicks I have learned from them being put into action, I just watch in awe while trying to absorb how they are sparring.

Yes, my ribs were killing me. And I guessed I showed it a little bit too. Steven said I show too much emotion on the mats when sparring. Not upset or anger, if anything I smile because I think whatever Steven did to me was great, but also if I am in pain. Gotta get that poker face I guess! Steven gave me some great advice after sparring too, which I am so thankful for. It's so helpful, and I can go and work on what needs to be worked on, and then come back and try it out. And he'll help me. Master DeGeorge ran the class and he told me too, "You can't be sparring people who aren't as good as you or better if YOU want to get better."

Master DeGeorge is absolutely right. For years I always sparred the bag. It was always there for me, it was never late, but it didn't kick back. And when I used to spar my students who were Black Belts or advance belts, they wouldn't like to spar me and would not come at me. So me being the instructor would make them work, trying to get them to apply their sparring and build their endurance, but it involved a lot of me holding back. I have been doing this since BEFORE I left my old master, and it has done me a lot more harm than good. But I will prevail! Sparring the elite level for the first time consistently is how I will get better. 

So a few challenges already, right at the beginning of the new year. I should be nothing but excited. But I am human, and cannot help but get a little frusrtated with myself at first. When I came home last night, applying oils on injuries (which worked instantly), I was telling Kristin how I am happy my motion can throw them off, but figuring out how to put it all together to my advantage is just not coming naturally. First thing she said to me was "You cannot get frustrated! But it's good you get to keep sparring these guys." And she's right. Because that's how I will continue to improve. 

Yours in service,

ANDREW TRENTO

Forward Momentum in the New Year

So the new year is here and I welcome it with open arms! I am SO happy to say goodbye to 2011, and hello to 2012! This is an exciting year overall! And I started the year off with a few changes. BIG changes. Starting with my environment. I moved out on January 1st and am on my own. Well, technically not alone. I have a room mate who I love to death and is probably one of the few people I would trust with my LIFE. I trust her more than anything in the world, and she's awesome company. I woke up this morning with the dog lying snugged up next to me and my heart turned to mush. I felt so at peace, and at home.

My training is taking new turns as well. A new schedule that I believe will benefit me more than last years, with new routines and an entire plan for my workout for the next six months as I lead up toward the big Black Belt test. I have balanced my curriculum training along with sparring, fitness, and self-defense. I also organized and compiled all my mental training together along with the new material my mentors will be doing with me. I am going to be making some serious mentor time. I already planned out this month's and will be doing the same with next month. Forward momentum!!

Even in the classes I teach, I think the classes I taught yesterday and today were dynamite! With changes made in my life FOR my life, comes a change in attitude and great clarity. That clarity allows you to breathe and then the rest follows. I made lists of things to do and got EVERYTHING on those lists completed. I cannot even begin to tell you the last time I did that. Forward momentum!

I am really excited with the start of this new year and as the small goals come into play, so will the bigger ones. As I move forward in life, so will everyone else around me. That's the exciting part. It's a communal affair, and we're all supporting each other. Here's to the forward momentum of the new year!

Yours in service,
ANDREW TRENTO