I’m an 8th Degree Black Belt, former WKA World Kickboxing Champion, and for more than four decades, I’ve been lucky enough to call Pacific Palisades home. I grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and started karate as a teenager. In college at Southeastern University in Lakeland, I trained under 7th Degree Black Belt and karate legend Mike Foster, and that’s where I first met Grand Master Yamamoto, founder of Yoshukai Karate. Years later, I moved west in 1982 and have been teaching here ever since as the West Coast Director of World Yoshukai Karate—still under Master Yamamoto’s guidance until his recent passing. I’ve poured my heart into Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, and it’s been my honor to train generations of students.
Let’s Share Your Story
Tell us a little about yourself. Where did your story begin, and what led you to the Palisades?
I’m an 8th Degree Black Belt, former WKA World Kickboxing Champion, and for more than four decades, I’ve been lucky enough to call Pacific Palisades home. I grew up in Pensacola, Florida, and started karate as a teenager. In college at Southeastern University in Lakeland, I trained under 7th Degree Black Belt and karate legend Mike Foster, and that’s where I first met Grand Master Yamamoto, founder of Yoshukai Karate. Years later, I moved west in 1982 and have been teaching here ever since as the West Coast Director of World Yoshukai Karate—still under Master Yamamoto’s guidance until his recent passing. I’ve poured my heart into Gerry Blanck’s Martial Arts Center, and it’s been my honor to train generations of students.
How long have you lived or worked here — and what do you love most about it?
Unfortunately due to the fires, my 43rd year anniversary of teaching karate in the Palisades would have been April 2025. Now, I’ve been blessed to have found a temporary location to keep kickin’ out of in Santa Monica with high hopes of returning to the Palisades soon.
Tell us about your work or your passion — past, present, or future. What lights you up?
For 43 years in the Palisades, I’ve been lucky enough to teach thousands of students and hundreds of black belts. What lights me up most is seeing kids come in shy and unsure, then grow into confident black belts. And nothing beats when those same kids walk back into the studio years later as adults, point to their pictures on my wall, and share that moment. Most of my students are kids training in Yoshukai Karate, but we also have kickboxing, special needs classes, and even programs for students with Parkinson’s. And when a parent I once trained comes back with their child, it’s the best feeling.
Tell us a little about your family, community or what “home” means to you.
The pandemic almost took my business of, at the time, 40 years. The “old” dojo on 881 Alma Real decided not to renew my lease of 27 years at the end of 2021 which was when my daughter’s mother passed away. A very trying year to say the least but everything ended up working out because we were able to move into together into our new home on Via de La Paz. She was helping me out at the dojo and ended up working for Vivian’s Boutique which was below our apartment. Her and I both will always remember those three years of complete happiness. And of course, my newer dojo on Marquez. We had our weekly community meet-ups or the random run-ins with neighbors at Pearl Dragon. Life was completely perfect and for the first time for her and I, we were at HOME. We are forever grateful to our neighbors, our extended family, and the beautiful town of Pacific Palisades. #palistrong
What’s something unique or special about the Palisades that you’ve experienced firsthand?
Even at 71, I’m still hitting new milestones. In 2012, I had the honor of serving as the Pacific Palisades July 4th Parade Marshal, leading my army of students down Sunset Boulevard in front of 40,000 spectators. The very next year, I was humbled to receive the Mort Farberow Business Person of the Year Award.
Community Favorites
Is/Was there a local business that makes you feel nostalgic or rooted here?
Pearl Dragon, Garden Cafe, Ronny’s, Spruzzo’s, and of course Morts Deli back in the good ole days.
Who’s the most interesting or inspiring person you’ve met here in the Palisades?
There are so many I would need a book to list them all but two that stand out are Jennifer McIntosh and Linda Ellrod who have been my students for 43 years. Linda was 15 years old and was going to Pali High when she started class with me. She ended up meeting her husband Tony Ellrod in my class. They’ve been happily married for 35 years. Also Jennifer McIntosh was 41 years old when she started with me in 1982, so do the math! All three of them, Jennifer McIntosh, Linda Ellrod, and Tony Ellrod, are still kicking and just did a photoshoot with me this past Saturday for karate magazine.
Fire Reflection
What stands out most from your experience?
It would of been a great chance for me to retire and move back to my hometown Pensacola, FL, but because of the love and support from my students and the Palisades community, I couldn’t leave them or my chosen home.
Was there someone — a neighbor, local hero, or group — that really made a difference for you during or after the fires?
Luis Morin who worked at Ralphs for 33 years who would take a bus everyday from DTLA for work was worried about me and my daughter. So, what did he do? He hopped on that same bus to come and deliver me fruit. He has a wife and kids that he takes care of so to think he did that whole journey to deliver me fruit made me speechless.
What did the experience teach you about the Palisades or about yourself?
Friends and family are the most important things in life.
A Few Fun Ones
What’s something about you that would surprise most people?
Outside the dojo, I still love surfing, playing tennis, and watching baseball—I’ve sponsored a Palisades Little League team for over a decade. And as long as I can, I plan to keep teaching, still learning from my mentor, 9th Degree Black Belt Hiraoki Toyama. Karate has given me everything, and I’m grateful every day to pass it on.
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
Hopefully, still kickin’ back in the Palisades!
