I have decided it is quite hard to do your own autobiography. I guess that's why there are more biographies than autobiographies; we must feel like experts on other people instead of ourself.

I started in the martial arts in 1996, October to be exact. I had always wanted to be in the martial arts but never really wanted to be committed, I guess. You see, I have this nasty habit of getting really involved in something I enjoy, so maybe this hesistancy is a bit of a safety factor for me. The thing that got me thinking about the martial arts was a former meth addict I worked with. Ironic, huh? He wasn't a danger or anything, he was just very enthusiastic about the martial arts and got me thinking about it. And so I became more interested.

I had never heard of Kenpo. Nor of Mr. Parker. The Perfect Weapon? Nope. I didn't watch much television.

But I started in Kenpo at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa; which is all in all a rather remote location for a martial arts school to be developing. It was ran by a fellow student, a senior at the time, (first year) Clint Hughes.

By January, I had earned my yellow belt, and before I went home for the summer, I had earned my orange belt. It was also that year that BVU sanctioned our group as an official club, which essentially meant you applied for money from the university and they gave it to you. In anticipation of the sanction, the BVU Kenpo Karate Club's website was released.

During the next year, Mr. Hughes' second senior year, I earned my purple and blue belts, and began to take on a role as an assistant instructor and publicity officer for the club. That meant teaching and development of the webpage.

After Mr. Hughes graduated, I worked as an assistant instructor for my senior year, earning my green belt and third degree brown belts in the timeframe. After I graduated, I did return to Storm Lake occasionally to train, but more to teach. I also had surgery around this time for some repair work, and that sidelined me a bit.

After I recovered, I traveled often to Indiana to work with Mr. Hughes. I began attending seminars. During my first one, I was limping on a broken toe which was stomped on by the seminar instructor. The price we pay.... :)

As that spring ended and I recovered, I attended more seminars, and began developing what is visited by thousands every week: The KenpoNet.

I have since earned my first degree black belt and continuing to learning more. The KenpoNet continues to grow and I learn more every night I read through the articles on the forum, or read a submission to the Flame.

I have been thumped on by the best and hope to be thumped on by many more.

JM