The Hardest Part About Getting A Black Belt | ART OF ONE DOJO

[@carlosgranah]

I obtained my first degree black belt in Judo after 15 years. I was a brown belt for around 8 years and work and college got in the way. The exam is difficult and required a lot of preparation the examiner was very picky on japanese etiquete and protocol. 12 people that gave their exam 4 failed that day. It took two hours of practicing kata everday for 5 months to get a decent and passing score. I wear my black belt with pride knowing that I had to work very hard to get it as it should be.

[@loadingmizuwi6172]

WOW in TaeKwonDo it takes 3 to 4 years to reach black belt

[@jancy4267]

you definetly earned it

[@heisenberg4977]

@@loadingmizuwi6172 Wrong, I got the Black Belt in Taekwondo after 5 years of hard work.

[@loadingmizuwi6172]

@@heisenberg4977 such difference 4 to 5 years. But yea everyone usualy works very hard in getting their black belt in tkd. But there is not that many of a difference in 4 to 5 years so there was not realy a reason in correcting me. But yea whatever.

[@heisenberg4977]

@@loadingmizuwi6172 Ok, champ...🤦🏻‍♂️

[@kylestrong4231]

Watching this the day after i tested for my junior BB. And the hardest part for me was sticking with it. When i got my brown belt, i started skipping classes because i was mentally tired or i felt physically tired that day. But now i know those are the days where you HAVE to go. And while i never thought about quitting, my sensei noticed and gave me some good words and i was able to get back on track, and i am very glad i did

[@internationalshito-ryufede9438]

I was tasked with training two students for their black belt exam. They knew that they were training for the test. One guy quit!

[@the404error7]

@Joel Campen you should give her access to your phone then.

[@robocoastie]

When it comes to kids it happens because unless it’s a mcdojo by the time a kid reaches blue to brown belt they are in jr high school where they are 1) get girl/boy obsessed and lose focus ie no discipline at home and 2) school sports and or summer soccer (oh how I hate that pressure) happen and we gradually lose them

[@jahipalmer8782]

I wear my black belt with pride. Some days are hard (like today when I sparred my instructor,) but it is always worth it. The past nine years training martial arts have made it an integral part of my life.

[@mikedavweedman]

Your story is INSPIRING!! I reached my 1st Dan (Kenpo) in 2007, My school shut down in 2008. I took my own journey after that as well but continued to work with my Sensei. My Sensei Passed away last year before I could reach my 2nd Dan. A few months back, myself and 2 other Black Belts started getting together and refreshing ourselves. We finally found a 4th Dan who is going to help us get where we need to be!

[@apostlestevenl.williams5384]

What rank are you now?

[@ThatRandomDude400]

My school only had 6 belts ( white, yellow, blue, green, brown, and black) and depending on your knowledge of the level your at can take you 6 months to a couple of years to move to the next level. I got lazy when i was about to be tested for green belt and quit. I tried to go back a few years later but by that time I gained weight and just didn't have the energy. Now I'm kicking myself in the butt and about to start training again. But more for weight loss and better health.

[@SpaceyCortex]

Hope you picked up the sport again bro, it is worth it.

[@karatewithelian9014]

How is it now after all of these years?

[@raynagel7462]

Enjoy your videos I am a Tae Kwon Do black belt former instructor tournament fighter and coach etc (at 72 yrs of age I cannot practice much anymore due to disability), everything you say in this video is very true in my experience. I have a friend who brags his grand-daughter took an accelerated course and became a black belt in less than a year, I could not convince him that all they did was take her money, my advice is when you are offered an "Accelerated course" run away as fast as you can because there is no such thing.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I agree very much, accelerated courses are usually just money grabs. Most arts take years to achieve decent rank in, the only real exceptions I feel would be if someone spent 6 hours a day, every day for a year or two then they are definitely going to improve and learn faster than someone taking a 1-2 hour class a couple of days a week. The other exception is if someone has significant experience in Martial Arts already and are taking a second art...they may already have a lot of the foundation knowledge so they will progress faster in some parts of the training. But any program that advertises itself as an accelerated program is usually not very good, regardless of the art. Thank you for your kind words on the channel :)

[@taekwondobro]

One year is not enough at all

[@shawnscorpion3589]

I agree and disagree, alot of the one year black belt schools are total bullshit. No one could ever remember all the requirements from the system i teach under a year. Its not possible but some how Joe Lewis became a black belt in Japan. It took him about a year and he was one of the best champions there ever was. People teach his system this day... so yeah I guess if the requirements are not a lot and your a sick freak for martial arts 27/4 I kinda guess it can be done but that's only in rare cases.

[@RandomGuy-ez2vs]

@@ArtofOneDojo I took a year break and I’m purple belt I went through 11 belts white,deputy gold,gold,deputy orange,orange,deputy green, green,deputy blue, blue ,deputy purple,purple I have 4 more belts left till black I’m starting to taking this serious now I’m more mature than I was I’m exited to go back and get disciplined again

[@AntoniOrszykowski]

Sound like TAGB to me. So grade anyone as long they trying even when they not reach certain lv required by belt like not kicking high enough and also instead of working on weakest to help them get higher they go by calendar so every 3 months you listen about grading with make you feel bad. It would so much plesent if not for this belt bulshit plus you can't even break anything like plank of wood before you black belt due to insurance.... really? Lol. I am considering muay thai because I might be able to do midle hight kicks, and some technics and because they focus on power, technics not some stupid grading. At age of 41 I am less and less hoping for high kicks as I never was able to do them before.

[@daboi7999]

Today, is my black belt 1 Dan exam and i’ve been working towards it since 2010.

[@benjamingodfrey5683]

I started in junior high school with Shotokan karate. I always love martial arts, but the instructor and the school wasn't what I was looking for. I tried again in college with TKD and GM Bong-Soo Han's Hapkido. I really liked that, but then I graduated and went to grad school in another state. I never got above purple belt in that system. Then life happened... work, more school, more training, marriage and kids. Finally in 2014 at the age of 40 I decided to get back into martial arts. I looked around and did my research and found a system that resonated with me and my goals. I found Kajukembo, a Hawaiian hybrid martial art. As a Kenpo guy, Mr Dan Sanz, I'm sure you are familiar with it. Anyway, after four years of training I was tested for my black belt in July 2018. It was a 4 hour test. It included static and walking basics, judo falls and throws, katas, the self defense portion (defenses against grabs, punches, kicks, knives and clubs, multiple man attacks), presentation and defense of an essay and then an oral exam on the history of the Art. I was privileged to be tested by an eclectic exam board that included my instructor (an 8th Dan), his assistant instructor (5th Dan), a 9th Dan Japanese Jujitsu master, two other high ranking black belts from another system and Mr Tommy Burks, 8th Dan Kenpo who is one of the 12 Disciples of Mr Ed Parker. No pressure! It was a total mind game... getting active feedback on techniques, questions about WHY I do something a certain way, asked to explain the physics, flow, choice of target and weapon, etc while sweating my butt off. The experience left me mentally and physically exhausted. Walking into the exam I felt I was prepared for the black belt... walking out I knew I had EARNED the black belt, and that is a great feeling.

[@wadeedwards6194]

good for you bro. how many years of training before the exam was issued if you dont mind me asking? Just curious

[@jadekayak01]

your grading sounds lije bs. noone from any other system should judge. sounds like a mcdojo

[@benjamingodfrey5683]

Jadekyak01. The ultimate judges of my performance were my instructor and his assistant instructor. The others were invited guests with expertise in components of our system. The others sat on the board and offered input and critique... but ultimately it wasn't their decision. If you think this kind of comprehensive exam is BS or a McDojo, I invite you to come down to Houston and gear up for a few classes... see what you think after that. (PS: Don't forget a cup and a mouth piece.) Until then, thank you for your interest and willingness to at least read my story.

[@benjamingodfrey5683]

Wade Edwards. Thank you! I trained for 4.5 years at the time of my test. Most people test at about 5 years training. Takes about that long to learn everything solid and be able to perform on command without hesitation.

[@jadekayak01]

@@benjamingodfrey5683 well,that is how it should be. when i was young you could go for shodan after 3 years IF you trained most days of the week and showed aptitude. nowadays most krotty systems have 8-11 kyu grades and lengthier times between gradings so more money can be made teaching them. from what ive seen recently bjj have 4 kyu but it take forever to get to shidan(not bad for a system that is not even japanese)

[@breakingboardrooms1778]

I just started out in Shotokan Karate in January. I want to learn it. I want to master it. I have found a new passion.

[@sushirice6751]

Something that helps me get through repetitive training is trying to learn new things about it, even if it’s silly and probably won’t work I like using something in a new way or something Just making it fun helps a lot

[@tokenstandpoint93]

I started in '95 then realized my dojo was a McDojo then asked my mom to take me out 2 years later. In '97 joined a Kung Fu temple. It was great but my mom had hardships. In 2000 finally had a decent enough job then joined a Kyokushin place, loved it till I went to went back to college then met my ex gf. Just got back into it in June and injured my back. Going through therapy now and anxious to start again.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always push forward to find ways to train in what we love. Definitely take care yourself and get healthy first, that is most important. When you get back into it, go slow and build your way back up. The slow pace can be very frustrating but the number one important thing is your health.

[@joshua_here5849]

You have great playlists

[@flip1sba]

20 fights was the most difficult for getting my Shodan in Kyokushin. Got it after almost nine years of training.

[@DonMcGuire4502]

Hi I'm Don McGuire and I'm a Martial artist. I'm a second degree Black belt in Karate, and I'm training for third degree. I started training in Karate when I was 15 years old and I fell in love with Martial Arts. I never stopped training. I still train now, and I will never stop because I love it so much. I'm currently training in Dragon and Tiger Kung Fu because I always wanted to learn Kung Fu. It is awesome. Thank you for making this video and sharing your experience with everyone. I don't believe in giving up.

[@counselorchandru]

This video has come to me at just the right time. Thank you so much!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Awesome! I'm glad it provided some help :)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

What art do you study? I watched your sparring videos on the rooftop and am curious to know what art you train in. Keep it up! :)

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Good advice. I studied for many years, in many systems (boxing and "unarmed combat" with my father from early age, fencing at 7 years old, Kung Fu, Karate, Pencak-Silat and a wee bit of JuJutsu), and nowadays teach my own martial art based on the systems that I became an instructor of (Pencak-Silat and Yau Hawk Tao Kung Fu). I am just about to turn 60 and still train daily - I will never quit! I have always been fascinated in American Kenpo and have found your videos to be inspirational, which is why I have just subscribed :)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

It becomes a part of who you are and quitting is just never an option! I love American Kenpo, its such a rich system but it does receive a lot of hate sometimes, and there are so many versions of it these days that many schools are not compatible which is really unfortunate, but there is so much great information to the art. :)

[@ruiseartalcorn]

Art of One Dojo From what I have seen and read, it's a great system. As for the "hate", well, these days people seem to hate anything that isn't MMA or BJJ ;) I still think there is a place for traditional martial arts and combinations of traditional arts for self-defense purposes. I'm a Kung Fu guy and we're probably laughed at the most! ;) However, I think as long as we remain true to the original purpose of the art, and train realistically, it all works fine.

[@tonyroy8410]

1-3 percent never reach black belt who start? you must mean the other way around only 1-3 % make it to blackbelt? I am a veteran full time school owner of 30 yrs and in my neck of Canada maybe 1 percent see it through

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I could try to come up with some sarcastic justification but turns out that was just a verbal typo on my part. I MEANT to say 1-3 percent EVER reach black belt, but apparently I said never. Whoops, my bad entirely. Yes, only about 1-3% make it to the end. The biggest drop offs for students are white belt and surprisingly up by brown belt or about 2/3 of the way to black belt. You also see a huge drop off from students who DO reach black belt as well. Of all the teens and adults in my school when I started, I am the only one who stayed with the school from very beginning through all of it's changes and transitions up to it's closing down and I still continued forward teaching and training in the art. All of my other classmates dropped out at various points. I can't imagine NOT training, it's totally a part of who I am. Also major props to you for running a school for 30 years. That is a very admirable achievement and not an easy one to pull off at all :)

[@tonyroy8410]

well done video!! Running a school is very hard! I trained under a grand master from korea, old school tkd. my teaching is a mixture of old and new...my spin on things :) blessings sent your way

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate your feedback and congratulations on the successful school!

[@tonyroy8410]

I just watched the rehearsal movies of karate kid and a guy was practicing and I was like ya taekwondo for sure! I'm a new johnny lawrence fan!! btw I was taking chito ryu karate when karate kid came out in 84 green belt...my nickname was myagi and it stands today, old high school buddys who haven't seen me i n awhile say hey myagi how are ya :)

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Well that's awesome Mr. Miyagi! Funny thing is, I grew up with everyone calling me Daniel-San, which....DOES get old after a while LOL. Even funnier is that my last name is Sanz, so if you drop the last "z", then I actually AM Daniel San LOL.

[@fijiunlimited4503]

Props to you my friend - you're living the life of every kid who watched the Karate Kid and dreamed they wanted to be a black belt. Learned a lot about the different arts from your videos, good stuff.

[@JazzBear]

I loved your video! One thing I might add is that the amazing friendships I have gained through the martial arts are a tremendous blessing. I’ve had several instructors over the years. (I’ve been with my current teacher over 25 years.) We are all like a big family. He is like a second father to me. I’m so very thankful for what the martial arts have done for me. At 51 I still train 5 days a week. And now I get to teach my granddaughter karate. Life is good!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Awesome! And that's the way it should be. Finding a good dojo should be like finding a second home with a second family.

[@woodtiger1411]

Great truths Mr. Dan. A very small % complete their journey to the coveted Black Belt. My twin brother and I started with the Australian Hwa Rang Tae Kwon Do Academy when we were but 14 - back in 1988. Due to being bullied by a group 18 year olds locally. In 3 years we graded just past the mid way point of the belting system to Blue 3 ( white, yellow 1 stripe/2 stripe/3 stripe, Blue 1 stripe/2 stripe/3 stripe ). We stopped after that due to other commitments. Working at Maccas, finishing school and we both became more serious about indoor volleyball. Did other forms intermittently from time to time but no traction. Then 15 years later, at the ripe old age of 35. I was fortunate to find the Brisbane branch, of the Sydney Grand Master Kim (8th at the time) of the style I started with. I was fortunate enough, to be able to grade for my previous belt position - after 4 months of hard strenuous training. I was so focused on the grading and pleasantly surprised when GM Kim noticed me and greeted me warmly - he never forgets a face. I graded successfully and was given Red 1 stripe (+1 above my expectation). I told my twin I was training in Grand Master Kim’s style of Hwa Rang Do again and he started to condition himself. On a side note our Grand Master Myung Man Kim graded for his 9th Dan and was presented it at Kukkiwon shortly there after at age 61 I think. 1 year later I doubled graded again to Red 3 stripe. I was mindful of my ego writing Cheques my body wouldn’t cash and I tempered my enthusiasm as I could see the end goal nearing. At the end of 2011, I successfully passed my Black Belt exam. What an experience - words can not effectively describe the feeling I know you understand all too well. I was fortunate in Dec 2017 to grade for my 3rd Dan with my twin brother in Sydney with GM Kim. A year of injury gave my twin brother the window to finally catch up - I have attached a short highlight video of it here (3mins) kzbin.info/www/bejne/fYWrqZVrpKl6ga8 That was a very awesome experience (I’m the one in the TKD shoes, after a grade 2 tear my big toe a week before the grading hahaha - can you believe it - that’s why i has to do the flying punch with a dice roll and not the traditional flying side kick).

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That is an amazing story! I'm so happy you were able to get back onto the path and achieve your test. It is such an amazing feeling and something so few people are able to achieve. Thank you for posting the footage and sharing your test with me, you guys look fantastic and those are not easy kicks to pull off. (I love how you took your brother down at the end during the hug). Great stuff and thank you so much for supporting this channel!

[@woodtiger1411]

Art of One Dojo - thank you for the reply and seeing the highlight video of the grading. I enjoyed the take down also haha. Keep doing what you are Mr. Dan great channel.

[@michaelhubbard4023]

Excellent video and I appreciate your journey. I started out with 2 ladies in 2008. One quit in 2009. The other quit in 2011-12. Of all the kids that started training with me and passed me in rank, all of them quit. I saw a lot of people quit between their brown and candidate black belt. I held on to my blue belt for 2 years, brown belt for 2 years and my candidate black belt for 3 years before getting an invitation to test for my black belt. After 11 years of training to earn my black belt, a lot of people quit but we have a blend of 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th dan black belts that continue to train. To me training for the love of training is first, then helping others learn and then giving back to the dojo. The most rewarding feeling is seeing a lot of the same black belts train me and test me through the years then now I am able to sit at the exam table with them after all these years.

[@danielnewstead5376]

Life keeps getting in the way of my training. The longest gap being 5 years between gradings. Then after a long chunk of training, I was forced by life to take another year out of training. But now, finally, I'm able to start training again. I went back to one dojo last week and tomorrow I get to go back to the other and continue my training in both styles. The colour of my belt doesn't mean anything to me, its merely material to keep my gi done up. Mindset, spirit, knowledge and above all, never giving up, is the root core of my relationship with martial arts. I will never quit, I will always train and learn regardless of whatever life throws my way. So thank you for sharing your story. It reinforces my hope and faith in the journey. I study shotokan and kyokushin karate respectively. Oss 🙏

[@abdallaahmed3113]

The only thing I want from karaté is to beat the hell out of bullies . And also help the people who are being bullied

[@baskroeze7217]

I'm a Jiu-Jitsu black belt, i loved every training so there wasn't a hard part of getting my belt i just kept training and learning and in time the black belt came naturally

[@jamessteggles6579]

I started training in hapkido in my early twenties. What set me back was changing in work schedule (swapped to working nights and my dojo had no say me classes) and then I had two children.

[@VicNorth2023]

The hardest part is feeling that you truly deserve it and living up to its status. In 1967 I recall taking my 7th Kyu in Wado-Ryu out of a class of 40 I was the only one the Japanese Instructor passed and I was awarded a 2nd class pass. Earn it and don't think you are entitled to it because of the time you have put in.

[@bravebanda4554]

Very encouraging really, it's a lot of work seriously...getting a black belt is great but like you said only if one is ready for the sacrifices. Thank you very much.

[@jamesdavis1698]

I just earned my first Dan black belt last night at 47. It was hard especially with hip problems from injuries over the years but I'm blessed God gave me the strength to endure. I appreciate the videos always great stuff!

[@dadbodfitness9704]

I just want to say thanks for all the hard work you do on this channel I've trained basically my whole life under many different instructors and my main instructor passed away a couple years ago he was like a father to me I've kept training but not teaching and just started getting our curriculum back together when I stumbled upon ur channel and it has been so nice not feeling alone again thank you

[@ArtofOneDojo]

We've got to stick together and be resources for each other. I'm very happy to hear you're enjoying the channel and good work on trying to keep it going. It's harder to continue training than a lot of people think.

[@luvlife2786]

I can totally relate to your story. I was in 1 dojo for quite a while. I was getting close to testing for nidan when that dojo closed. I found another dojo and had an informal black belt test to verify I didn't buy the rank.Years later same thing. This went on 2 more times. The problem was money. Not enough students to keep the doors open, not enough students to keep training.

[@camiloiribarren1450]

I had started in shaolin when I was a kid, then transitioned to shotokan as a pre-teen and then finally stuck to go-ju karate. Go-Ju became the art I enjoy practicing the most back in PR because I had senseis that learned from masters in Okinawa, but I could only do it when I was visiting my dad. I want to return to a dojo and continue my training as I am in an intermediate level. I absolutely love training, and my biggest challenge is my overall laziness despite my joy in training no matter how long it would take to me to get to black belt. Training under Go-ju senseis is definitely something I want to get back into. I have returned to practice the katas I learned on my own until I return to a proper dojo

[@GruncleJohn]

You’re so right! I started my journey in 1986 when I joined a WTF program in my High School as a club, I finished with a red belt, that time was a step below brown. Then college happened! Then I met a Korean WTF GM in GA in 1996, started white and ended with green. Got married and had a son. Found a Master Instructor in Taekwondo - Chung Do Kwan style, he’s been teaching at the same area for 25 years, that was in 2005. Along the way we had to stop training whenever we had another child. Now I’m taking my 3rd degree test. My wife is 2nd degree, my 2 older sons are 1st degrees, and my youngest is a purple belt. I find that a lot of our testers are really stressed with board breaking. For the 1st degree tester have to break 3 - 1 inch- stack shelving boards. As we go further up in degrees, we had to break more stacks.

[@HedgeKnight170]

I studied GoJu Ryu in the 90s. I loved it! The ranking system meant little to me. The tests were expensive and I got up to orange belt. The next level tests were too hard and weren't held at the dojo. It was still one of the best experiences of my life. I continued to train but never with the same vigor. Studied TKD in college and dipped back into GoJu and the people I played and studied with were some of the best martial artists I've ever met. Love the mindset that some people have. Belts are are cool and all but the practice and the experience is better. Thanks for sharing! In my 30s now with a hip injury but I'm practicing again slowly and will find another school. I think the pandemic has given me the choice back. I just hope my hip gives me the same choice.

[@squatch570]

It's amazing that the people who made the journey to brown belt and then quit didn't really learn about perseverance in all that time they were training and the difficulties to achieve that rank didn't teach them to carry on no matter what. It's like quitting high school in senior year 6-8 months before you graduate. Osu from a 5th Dan Kyokushin Karateka.

[@AdamW-eo2yq]

I am going back to training shotokan karate after 4 years I had trained before for 5 years straight and got to 2nd kyu The repetition aspect has really helped me as I’m trying to relearn as many techniques as I can before lockdown ends and even though it’s been since Nov 2016, I gained muscle memory and the technique is flowing back to me like I never quit The memory aspect of the material is going to be tough to overcome but I know I can do it This channel (even though it’s not shotokan) has helped inspire me to go back I am ashamed I quit but I hope to remedy that now

[@AdamW-eo2yq]

Update: COVID has gone down to the point where we can train again and I went to my first session Ready to get back on the grind

[@jeffvance4610]

I just stumbled across your channel - I must say very refreshing to see such an honest channel delivering great content! I have studied both Japanese and Korean styles over the past 22yrs and look forward to more of your content soon.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Hi Jeff! Awesome and thank you for the kind words. Hopefully, you'll continue to enjoy the new videos coming :)

[@ardonthorn5]

I’m not a martial artist, but my sone and daughter, 7 and 10, are in Tan Soo Do. I watch your videos for ways to inspire my kids and give them some different perspectives. Appreciate all you do! Keep it up!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Thank you! That is awesome to hear!

[@DanielSmith-pq4yc]

Great video I trained kickboxing for 5 years I reached my purple belt. I failed my brown belt in hindsight I wasn't taking my conditioning as much as I should. I then got injured which caused a bad case of depression. Four years later I'm looking to get back to ma and this time I'm wiser and this will help me grow.

[@robhannan2103]

Hey Mr. Dan, I started training in Kenpo at 4 years old. My school also has Junior black belts and continues through to Junior black brown belt until you're ready to take your adult black belt test. I unfortunately had to stop training at 14 due to family issues. It ate at me that I made it so close to my black belt but had not achieved it. I spent the next 6 years saving up money and getting my license so I can continue my training. Unfortunately during those years I had not kept practicing, I just recently started my training as a white belt at my old school. I am more focused and dedicated than ever. I hope to see my training through this time and keep working on improving my art.

[@Entebeegames]

I started to train aikido when i was about 8 but because of the dangers of joint locks for underdeveloped joint i couldn't start with the adult grades until about 13 years old... Right at that age when i started to train in the adult groups is when the "training fatigue" started to kick in. I felt like I had to start all the way from the beginning and at one point I only trained about once every two weeks. After about a year of that I suddenly got all my motivation back again though i cannot explain how. My point is that the training fatigue is something that can be overcome and it does not mean you have to stop training! Very interesting video!

[@manifestgtr]

I’ve noticed similar phenomena with guitar students. I’ve been teaching guitar for almost 20 years and there are certain plateaus that just *mow* people down. Novice concepts like bar chords and scale patterns to more advanced studies like scale fragments and “coils”. Very few people have the motivation to work these things out over the course of years, even decades...and that’s how long it takes to become a truly high level player. Whenever I’m starting something that’s clearly a “10,000 hour” skill, I think about something I was doing 5 years ago. What if I had been doing *this* thing the entire time? Where would I be NOW? There are always gonna be plateaus and stumbling blocks along the way...but realizing the feeling of accomplishment in being able to do something that few others can do is one of the greatest joys in life...one of those rare things that makes life *truly* worth living.

[@gregs_garage]

Our Goju club has White-Yellow-Orange-Green-Brown-Black. There are 3 levels of Green and 3 levels of brown, so you end up being green belt for a long time and brown belt for a long time. I'll be at my current green belt for 1.5 years assuming 2-3 classes per week. White-Black will take me at least 6 years overall. Maybe 7. 8? Doesn't matter we don't give away belts.

[@fauxbravo]

I'm 34 years old and just about two years into my journey training in a long fist style of kung fu. Starting martial arts, even at an older age, with no previous martial art or athletic experience, has been one of the best decisions I've ever made. I'm in shape (with a little extra work outside of class too) and more flexible than I've ever been. It just feels good to finally start nailing a move, piece of a form, or entire form that's been trouble and there's just so much to learn, I can't imagine ever being bored. I'm at the school four days a week, and I sign up for extra opportunities when they're available (ex: there was an extra class a week for the summer, so I was there five days a week). Between open-hand forms, weapons, sparring, drills, etc, there's just so much there to learn and try to improve. When I do get frustrated or I'm just not feeling it, I just try to remember everything that's led me this far and how much I've enjoyed it. I also look to senior students who are really good at what they do, and that inspires me to keep going. If I can ever even be at a fraction of the skill level some of them are at, I want to be there. Also, even if things are getting a little tedious, I just like being around my classmates and my instructor. They've been growing into a family. It's the same as any other physical activity, you just have to push through the tough times. Be there even when you want to be lazy. Be there even if you're a little bored or not in the mood. But you get the added bonus of a rich history and culture behind whatever art you're learning. It's all just so gd interesting. I can't imagine stopping.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

And that my friend, is the true spirit and mindset of a true martial artist :) I'm so happy to hear you found something you like, keep sticking with it and it will keep getting better.

[@lynnsidun7298]

Loved the video. I achieved my first degree from Grand Master Willie Adams in Isshin Ryu. Then life happened and my journey became that of a some what solitary practitioner. I trained when and where I could or can. But I eventually settled in Wyoming and now have a couple of people I train with when I can.

[@Dipankar_Project_Fitness]

I started off in my teenage,got to my brown belt before my college,had a medical criticality with an illness called meningitis,hardly survived after months in hospital.My path back to normal life was an long and strict one full of restrictions.I was lucky to get guidance from a person named Mr. G.P.Banergee who got me addicted to fitness and training,After a gap of 8 years i again started my training in kyokushin along with my daughter.After anotther 8 years I became a black belt at my age of39 ,been a second dan after 5 years.Black belt has been a scale to set a standard for myself

[@hogtied12]

My daughter is 6 yrs old achieved her yellow belt in TKD last week her ability to learn patterns and the power in her kicks is unbelievable i hope one day she may represent England (she is half Brazilian).

[@shaahidel4737]

Ush...Yes, Much Gratitude Sensei... Excellent the way you laid out the different attitude changes, and challenges the students face on this Path of understanding the Art of Self Defense. Gratitude, Ush🙏🏿

[@keyow2]

I began my Martial Arts training in 2007, at the age of ten. By the time I was fourteen, just over three years later, I was on the doorstep to my Assistant Black Belt. I had decided at the time to take a break, for reasons I no longer remember. But what was a brief break ended up getting longer, then longer, and next thing I knew I was no longer involved in that Academy. Over the years, I did get some lessons in weapon-based Arts. Filipino Kali, Bo-Jutsu, and HEMA. But I never really invested totally in a particular art. Until the December of 2017. I returned to my original academy. One white-belt who was there when I left was now a third degree, which was awkward, but none of the students I knew besides him were still present. Fortunately, the curriculum had not really changed. So, over the next three and a half months, I worked towards and achieved my Assistant Black Belt in April 2018. Then, come October of the same year, I tested and finally received my Black Belt. Eight years late, but better late than never. I now instruct at this academy, and despite the presence of a few second and third degrees I’m considered the secondary instructor after the Chief Instructor. I’m looking towards Second Degree likely this summer. If I had the funds, I’d want nothing more than to teach Martial Arts for a living.

[@ralfhtg1056]

2nd degree black belt in an okinawan style here. I started 3 months before I turned 13 after I got beaten up by 2 then 16 year olds. A class mate of my sister was doing Karate in a neighbour village. So she established first contact. That is how I started out. Out of the children and youths group I started in, I am the only one left today (24 years after starting). When I was about 14 I changed the group. Adult beginners. Out of this group I am the only one who is still going. And as my Sensei was dissatisfied with what the JKA taught, we left Shotokan behind and started in an okinawan Shorin style. So, we were allowed to keep our belts, but had to basically start over. As we had done this before, it was the second time we started over. This plus the struggles with my shoulder lead to me needing 13 3/4 years to achieve my 1st degree black belt. That was in 2011. The feeling of having pulled this off.... joy! Pure joy! And than I saw my Senseis face. The visible joy and pride! Priceless! The fact that his teachings produced 2 more black belts (a fellow student, who I consider a friend after all these years also passed his test that evening)... He surely enjoyed it. Unfortunately he passed away less than 1 year after this. So he lead 5 people to black belt. And we, together with some other long term members took over his school. It was his last wish that the work of his lifetime was going to continue. And that is what we do. In the meantime I have oberved some things since I started teaching myself. You can make several cesurae. On one hand according to degree and on the other hand by age of the student. According to degree: We use a 9 Kyu belt system. You start as a white belt (= no grade). Followed by yellow belt (9th Kyu), orange (8th Kyu), green (7th Kyu), blue-white (6th Kyu), blue (5th Kyu), blue-black (4th Kyu), brown-white (3rd Kyu), brown (2nd Kyu) and brown-black (1st Kyu). And every 3 grades you lose people. And based on age: most children coming to Karate do so because either their parents or grand parents want them to do so. Sometimes it happens because the children want it, but not very often. Then when they start to become teenagers you lose students. When they finish school and start to learn a job or go to university, you lose students. When learning the job or univerity have been finished, you lose students. Next up: when the start a family, you lose students. In some cases you are upset to lose certain people, because they were good. And teaching talented students is a lot of fun. Much more than teaching talentfree people. So, yes, "1000s of people want a black belt, 100s think they deserve one, but only few have the discipline, dedication and tenacity to earn their black belt. And that is when they realize, the journey is just beginning."

[@lynnsoh2758]

Well said Sir. I've actually experienced this. This is very true. Thank you.

[@Visalthedragon19]

Ive been doing Shotokon Karate, and ive been doing it since I was three or four. Im on my third brown, but im training for my adult black belt for my next belt. Im still into it and love it. My sensei has gone through some name change also! So thank you for the great video, well said and good information!

[@MartialArtsManiacc]

I've been training for almost 9 years and I'm only a brown belt in my karate school. My instructor has only given 12 brown belts and 8 black belts in the 14 ish years he has been teaching. I'm so excited for my black belt test. This just got me a little more excited than I already was!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Awesome! Do you have a testing date yet?

[@MartialArtsManiacc]

@@ArtofOneDojo we don't have a date set yet ( because of Covid-19 ) but my sensei told me it will be late 2021. I know everything, now it's just a waiting game.

[@breakingboardrooms1778]

Update! Semester's over, I'm at home. Karate 1 has ended, and I'm still training Shotokan at my local dojo. My local sensei work me super hard. The college class sensei did *not* expect perfection, unlike my current sensei who's over the rest. I'm happy with the standards of my current sensei, and I can't wait for my yellow belt test.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

I have recently obtained my third dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate, a couple of weeks ago, which for us is the beginning of the Sensei (先生), meaning teacher level. We did nine hours of training that day of the grading, including beach training and so forth, as it was at our summer camp. Basics, up and down techniques, three step fighting, self defence, theory, kata, 40 fights, one minute and a half each, one after the other, than finally stamina. My first degree black belt, was obtained in 2012, my second degree black belt, in 2014, four years later, into the present being 2018, my current third degree black belt rank. Like you I have observed people commence and grade along the way with me. Nevertheless dropping off little by little, at the various stages of training and grading, along the ranking ladder. As you said most for some reason drop off, around the brown belt level, then some short after obtaining their black belt. Fewer make it to second dan black belt, however even fewer go onto third Dan black belt and beyond. It was painful, arduous and nerve racking, each time I graded, especially the black belt dans, that I have tested for. Nevertheless my biggest enemy and opponent, has been myself. I had to dig in deep to overcome anxiety, fear, insecurity, lack of confidence, possible failure and also limitations. I am looking forward to my long term goal of now myself, being an instructor, Osu!

[@allenwoods1768]

Thank you for the video. I am 47 and started training again when I enrolled my kids. I am currently waiting to have shoulder surgery. This is a setback, but will not stop me from getting my black belt. My kids are a few belts a head of me, but I want to finish this journey I started in college. I am a school administrator and eventually would like to help teach other student's. I am trying to ge this done by the time I am 50. If I do not I will still make it, I do not want my kids to see me not finish.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I love this attitude, and sets a great example for your children. It's never too late to train and if it's something you've always wanted...then rock it. I wish you a super speedy recovery and keep at it!

[@SithCats]

I took a rather long and circuitous path to my black belt in American Kenpo. Started when I was ~11, kept going through junior high and high school and made it to 3rd brown by the time I graduated. I went away to college so had to stop for awhile. In college I tried Shotokan karate but didn't care for it due to a combination factors including the instructor, the art itself, and the way the for-credit class was basically just a glorified semester-long advertisement for the extracurricular club. After college I went back to my Kenpo school, voluntarily reduced my rank to green belt, and earned back my brown before going the rest of the way to black belt over the next 4 years. So it took me a long time, but I did finally get there.

[@alexibanez271]

New subscriber. I practiced TKD back in middleschool. Due to external challenges. I had to quit. After more than 13 years, now working as college subject instructor, I accidentally found a karate dojo. I am in my first week of training now. I am in love again. It feels like reconnecting to a long lost friend- martial arts. More power to this channel, Art of One Dojo.

[@douglastalkington]

You are certainly built not bought! Thank you for the inspiration, looks like a solid 10 years is the required commitment for a real black belt!

[@mjhonsun]

Outstanding! I am a brown belt in American Kenpo Karate and this analysis is helpful and encouraging. Thanks!

[@kylestrong4231]

I have my junior black belt test for karate this month, training really hard cause i saw another kid test in febuary and it was brutal

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Just stay calm, focus on your practice and I think you'll do just fine. Just put your full effort into it. Just remember, your instructor wouldn't even allow you to test if they didn't think you were capable of it. Just show up and show them the effort :)

[@kenlandon6130]

0:11 You misstated the stat. I think you meant to say that 1-3% make it to black belt, not that 1-3% don't make it.

[@MrTrevor181]

I obtained my first dan (JUDO) after my knee injury as a brown belt,I did not continued the art until I saw my black belt in my draw - still neatly bonded with two paper straps securing it. One of the straps had something I wrote when I brought it as a joke...TO BE BROKEN ON THE DAY OF GRADUATION. something got me spurred on to start training again, it took me two long years of hard graft before finally reaching my grade. Sadly through time, the damage became too severe which led to a full knee replacement, this stopped to my journey towards my second dan due to the limitations of movement.

[@FortniteKid-jm7gx]

In 2050: "...and that's why I know 15 different martial arts curriculums."

[@TheUnknownHumorist]

Hello, Sir. I just discovered your KZbin channel today and have not gotten much work done; so informative and entertaining! I study under former World Champ Anthony Atkins and others; we have a low brown, high brown, low red, high red (which I recently earned) and then black belt. The journey has been hard for me because I'm over fifty, usually run down from work and caring for a chronically ill family member, and having never been an athlete. But I'm giving it my all every day. because I want to be my best. Wishing you continued success!

[@marqueguilbeault]

I always had the drive. I wanted to do something when I was young, but had no encouragement from my parents to do so. Along came adult hood. An opportunity presented itself to do Tae Kwon Do at a local fitness center. Got up to the orange belt level, a journey that brought me through two Sensei's in six months (personal issues with my first). At that moment, a career opportunity landed in my lap and I moved to a new city. Two years later started up again at another school in Toronto (Black Belt World) with my then girlfriend, now my wife. We had a baby, and my annual membership was up one month before my BB test. I was no longer living in the city, so I was commuting in to train, and the cost of a new child made continuation of training prohibitive. Fast forward almost 15 years and two more kids later. An opportunity to get my youngest daughter into martial arts appeared at school near to my home. My new sensei had training in both Tae Kwon Do and Shotokan (sp?) Karate so the curriculum was very different. So instead of refreshing and getting back into testing position in what I expected would be 6 months, it took me two more years. And yes, to you message, my testing was bloody. Our Sensie was kind enough to break up the testing (due to life commitments) but the first two hours of my test was on the bag. Hands and feet were bloodied by the end. I was asked to do things that I had never done before (liking hoping across the room on my knuckles and toes). All the exercises and trials, though, I fought through, and pushed. Even when I hit a wall, I kept pushing. I can look back now, look at how hard I trained, and how long, and see how I persevered, and be proud of the accomplishment. The school closed down shortly afterward, for family reasons, my Sensei had to return to India. I trained a little more and taught for awhile, but once again, LIFE has gotten in the way. I know I will return again, I practice a little here and there, so I don't forget things. But also to remind myself that I am a Black Belt... a student of a martial art. And as a Black Belt, I know I have so much more to learn. Marque Guilbeault 1st Degree Blackbelt Kukkiwan, Tae Kwon Do

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That is a great story and I'm really proud of how you pushed through even with all of the challenges you faced. Best of luck to your future training!

[@navinshringi397]

Keep Learning & Keep Training having Patience is the Key to Discipline

[@4612gregory]

5 years in shaolin kempo, and yes external causes make it hard, my teacher had to quit due to personal issues, a second teacher took over but the intensity and attention to the class is not the same... is hard to get also used to a particular teachers method and then finding yourself lost and trying to pick up what you can from another teacher. Still im a 2nd degree brown... not quitting im 1 of 8 that started in my group, only 3 remain 2 already black belts.

[@michaelpravia7684]

I started training pai lum Kung fu which was heavily mixed with Shotokan Karate in fourth grade. I became obsessed with the art and earned my brown belt when I was sixteen. I was part of tournament team and won multiple tournaments at different ranks and ages. Unfortunately after achieving my brown belt the school shut down and I was left with a higher rank in a style without any schools anywhere near me. After the school shut down I just trained with friends but with no formal curriculum. In college I began training Kenpo and then switched universities. At the new university there were no Kenpo schools in the area so I once again switched dojos but this time to a tae Kwon do school. After graduating university I had to move for work and was back to square one as the eternal white belt. Frustrated with constant moving and the lack of a home style I decided to give home study Shorin Ryu a try. I completed an online home study program and found it complementary to my pai lum/Shotokan training as a kid. I have mixed feelings about home study but felt a sense of belonging with focusing on learning one curriculum. Now that I am done with the constant moving of high schools to university to a career I am a year and a half deep into learning uechi Ryu Karate. I really want to just focus on mastering the art and being proficient in a traditional Okinawan style that has brought a lot of joy into my life. Thank you for reading this. I was wondering if other practitioners were as frustrated as I was with constant schools changes caused by life transitions.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I think you will find this seems to be a common situation. My close friend and partner who also helps run this channel studied Wing Chun and his school closed and he's had a hard time finding another close to it. Another close friend studied Uechi Ryu until HIS school closed and he started Taekwondo but then had to stop for health reasons. Now he's back to looking at his options. Sometimes...the hardest part about succeeding in an art is being able to STAY in it.

[@varghessmith2985]

it ain't all about the size of the boat, it's about the motion in the ocean

[@fitepitsnbonfires]

This isn't my discipline but some of what you are talking about happened at our school we were shut down for a few months and then I was injured for some months ,I was at my 3rd belt green ,over 2 years and now we are at it again and our guest instructor had to take over and he suprised me one day and gave me purple so things like this ,so keep training people just keep training, keep training !

[@mrdent5648]

Started tang soo do when I was a teenager and quit after a couple of gradings. Moved areas and came back and stated again. Had to quit due to a knee injury that set me back at least 10 years. Met my wife and started shotokan karate at a good dojo for around 4 years, quit due to mental health issues, got that sorted out and joined up with my current tang soo do dojang. 3 weeks to go before my 1st Dan test

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Hey good for you for sticking with it!! And I'm really happy to hear you're approaching your test. Best of luck and please come back and share how it goes!

[@mrdent5648]

@@ArtofOneDojo thanks sir! And I will do 😊

[@mrdent5648]

@Art of One Dojo you asked for an update sir and I'm please to tell you I'm now a Cho Dan!

[@jacksonswagga]

I'm not at any level of black belt. But I hold a brown belt in shotokan and shindo jein ryu karate and blue belt in bjj. Ric flair once says there is nothing more important to be recognize by your peers. It is a great feeling.

[@Skipper.17]

If you're only in it for the belt, give up now

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I agree 100%

[@davidpiper7578]

Na I never give up, there's more then just a belt to gain from martial arts. There's an undeniable journey in life to venture into. A road we pave all our own. I started out nearly 20 yrs ago as a white belt moved from one town to the next trying out new styles new schools new teachers and found my self right back where I started at . same system new teacher new school but my new teacher started out long before I did and now teaches me under my old teacher. Yeah I'll get there but I hope this time it lasts.

[@Jaska124]

Exactly. I decided to focuse just in becoming as good as I can, the belts will follow.

[@chorcor888]

I think if it was just for the belt giving up will be passively done without even realising!

[@chadwiley6917]

I disagree. If your only in it for the belt than you have everything to gain.

[@cugnaoozen9956]

Respect for never giving up since your teen years

[@Grapplersenpai]

I practiced shorin ryu for a very long time. From 5th grade to now that I'm in college, My sensei only tested us once a year,IF we're ready... So it took me 7 or 8 years to get my black belt, I had to go to okinawa just to test it.... I sweated and bled so much...so I knew I earned it... And my sensei always encouraged me to tryout different arts,so I did judo for a while.l once i came back to the USA from Mexico(born here raised in Mexico)there was a shorin ryu dojo i attended as well. Once I moved to go to college my sensei still encouraged me to try new things,so now I do BJJ,judo and muay thai since there are no shorin ryu schools close to where I moved

[@jacegallagher8589]

Sorry for lengthy reply, but here is my journey at age 30 and just returning to martial arts: My original martial art was Shotokan Karate when I was 13. My instructors were great. They did not give away belts. I actually failed my Yellow Belt test the first time. I passed the 2nd time. The day before testing for Orange belt, my mother returned from deployment. We had to move. Life was chaos since then and I was unable to resume martial arts. I entered the military. The little bit of Shotokan I learned actually helped me in the military. When I left the military at age 22, I fell hard into alcohol and debt. I ended up homeless. When I got back on my feet, I became a Correctional Officer. But, my shifts conflicted with every dojo schedule around me. I just recently lost my Correctional Officer job. Basically, I burned out and realized I was becoming someone I despised just to survive such an environment. I was lost on what I wanted to do. However, I remembered my passion for martial arts and how practicing martial arts was the only time in my life I have truly been happy. Now, almost 17 years later, I am starting my martial arts journey over. There are no decent Shotokan dojos near me, so I am starting in Wado Ryu. Sensei Blazier also teaches Judo. With my return to martial arts, I plan to achieve Black Belt in both arts and maybe, eventually, take some other martial arts. Also, I plan to earn a Firearms Instructor Certification and Personal Trainer Certification. I plan to combine the 3 into my dream Self-Defense Institute (I do not have a proper name for it yet) that serves as a dojo, gym and range.

[@dailyadventureingrandpasba5502]

I practice Wado Ki Karate and Ultimate Chuck at home from online and DVD. Now being completely Disable, this is my Two Year Journey to earn my Black Belt at home! Anybody can do this at home, all you have to do is stay motivated and discipline for anything is possible! After Two Heart Attacks, Two Mini Stroke, and ending up with PNES Seizures and COPD and Stage 3 Heart Failure and having several hidradenitis suppurativa surgeries and L5 S1 Spinal Fusion and having nerve damage; now I am on my Journey to earn my Black Belt in Wado Ki Karate and Ultimate Chuck. Once I achieve these goals I’m planning on getting my Black Belt in Ultimate Bo and Tai Chi with GMAU. I have started many different types of Martial Arts over my life time, but never achieve a Black Belt; now it's time to earn it! I "Believe" that Martial Art's gives healing properties, and give me hope to stay out of the Hospital's!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

My friend, you are the living embodiment of what the Martial Arts should be about. I am so sorry to hear about the challenges you've encountered but damn, do I admire your spirit and strength. You're taking the art and using it as a tool to improve yourself and get stronger, and that's exactly what it's for. My sincerest admiration and I wish you the absolute best of luck in your journey and I do hope you'll keep us up to date :)

[@dailyadventureingrandpasba5502]

@@ArtofOneDojo Thank You, Domo Arigato

[@dailyadventureingrandpasba5502]

@@ArtofOneDojo Thank you so much People like you give me hope on keep living , Next Friday I'm have another surgery. My doctor is pushing for me to get a pacemaker, that will be next. My doctor had another patient with the same problems like me and she said he felt better after getting a pacemaker. I hope so, because lately my body is taking a toll!!!

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@dailyadventureingrandpasba5502 I really hope it does make you feel better, from everything I've heard about them they make a huge difference and do a great job with regulation so I'm really hoping this is a positive step for you. I wish you an incredibly speedy recover and please check back in after your surgery so that we know you're ok. Get some rest and best of luck my friend.

[@kinajardine9009]

I've studied two forms of karate and got to green belt in both schools, and both times I had to quit was because of un-diagnosed early-onset spinal issues. From the age of 12, the discs in my L4 and L5 vertebrae had already degraded badly enough to cause daily pain, and by the time I was 21, I started having chronic herniated discs. By the time I hit 30, I had developed severe spinal stenosis. I loved training in karate and the reality that I will never get to a legitimate black belt has been a bitter pill to swallow, but I still do light daily training, practicing my basic techniques on days when I'm not in too much pain to sit in a horse stance for a few drills. Karate will always be a part of me, no matter how broken my body is.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Embrace it in any way that you can and are able to benefit from. The fact that you continue with it even in the face of your pain shows a very strong and admirable spirit! Keep fighting on my friend!

[@rogerward3185]

I started Kenpo a couple of decades ago as an adult. I had obtained my first degree brown belt and was working toward my black belt when a new career, children, the National Guard, and more caused my progress to stagnate. I could tell it was frustrating my instructor, and it was certainly frustrating me. It wasn't fatigue so much as I felt I was spinning my wheels, and something needed to give. Fast forward twenty years, and I have gone back to my old instructor, 74 and still teaching. My body is "high mileage" courtesy of Uncle Sam, with the challenges to go with it. He was willing to take me back on though, so I am going to give it my best shot. Heck, I've even been sparring without embarrassing myself. If I could just gain some flexibility back!

[@marktaylor7373]

I took 10 years to achieve my black belt and now I assist with the kids classes where I train

[@eddiehizo3365]

Wow. I give you a pat on the back for you to keep going when your sensei stop and you kept going. You should be proud that you didn't give up. I was very lucky my sensei did not stop. My sensei kept on teaching and I was able to reach my 3rd Dan non stop. I am still studying underneath him since I started in 1995 till now (2019). That's......23 years?

[@wardragonprime]

It took me five years to get a black belt and I loved every minute of it!!!😀😀😀😀

[@robertrandall3147]

WOW What a Hell to go through with all those school closings. Remindes me a little of my story. obstacles can always be overcome.

[@bobz1748]

I wear my black belt with pride. I’ve got it back when i was in junior high. Hardwork, discipline, determination and motivation was my keys to earn it. I stop training due to studies , getting married and having my own child.and now after 6 years. I’m back in my training with my son which is really cool seeing him enjoying it.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

That's awesome! You should be proud of both the achievement and your son's hard work :)

[@ryandemarest7861]

So I started training kenpo at the age of 4, I’m 17 now, and it was the best decision of my life. My school had half ranks in between each solid color belt. I was flying by the colors and became the first ever 6 year old blue belt at my dojo. When I was my advanced green belt at 7 years old, I had a big struggle with long form 2 and finger set 2 (our curriculum was a little different compared to the traditional standards). Then I wanted to train even harder than ever before. I learned the true meaning of perseverance because I finally achieved my 3rd degree brown belt after roughly a year at advanced green. I had a way further understanding of our system because I was an assistant instructor, so my senseis allowed me to test for my Junior Black Belt (JBB) at 8 years old. The JBB program is consisted of the adult white belt-advanced green belt program with extra competition forms (not kenpo related). We, as kids, would receive stars for each rank, and we would have to sew them on to our JBB. I set a goal to achieve my Probationary Adult Black belt (PBB) in one year, so I came to every single class that was offered for me and taught as much as I could. Things didn’t work out so well for me because I struggled with the 9th-10th star (basically green belt again). So it took me 2 years, but that’s fine with me because it usually takes kids 3 years. After getting my PBB at age 10, I was strictly teaching and not learning as much as I wanted to. As a kid, I didn’t like that because I wanted to train and finally achieve my 1st degree. I decided to take time off of kenpo to start my interest in singing. When I was 13, I decided to go back to kenpo and pursue my training because one of my instructors was getting married, and he said, “Hey Ryan, when are you gonna go test for your 1st degree? You promised me when your were a JBB that you would get it and never quit.” Then I realized that I had to go back; I couldn’t break my promise. My dojo started hanging Modern Arnis classes too, and I fell in love again. I made a new goal to fly past the 3 levels of PBB (so like 3rd brown - first brown). I received my first degree black belt at 14. It was the hardest test by far compared to the other two because I felt like it was the real deal. My instructors asked me to pick up more teaching because they knew that I had a strong impact on the kids, teens, and adults even though I was 14 years old. My knowledge of kenpo was insanely high for a first degree because I would dissect everything at the extremist degree (especially the self-defenses). They, my Senseis, decided to let me test for second degree at 15 years old because of: me teaching all the time, influencing people, my knowledge of kenpo, and being the sparring coach at my school. And then I decided to start my grappling career in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. I felt bad for leaving my dojo again, and I didn’t mean any disrespect; I just wanted to grow as a martial artist. After 1 year of leaving, my school had their last black belt testing, and my instructors asked me to sit on the board with them. I still remembered everything because I still trained at home with my father. Plus, they wanted me to spar the candidates. Now I’m still doing BJJ, and I just started Krav Maga. My martial arts journey will never end!

[@Vincentorix]

I earned a black belt in Taekwondo and I am currently working towards one in Shotokan Karate. I think a black belt is a lifetime achievement even though it’s a beginner rank as well.

[@swibly2553]

I can actually relate everything you said. I left because, althoght my instrutor was skillfull, he was very disorganised while teaching. Thus, after 2 years and half of practice, imagine how frustating it was for me.

[@rogerward3185]

This one hit a little close to home. I started training in Kenpo as an adult. After years of training, I had reached ikkyu despite trying to get through law school, start a career and a family, then serve in the National Guard. Between the career, family and increased duties in the Guard, I felt my lack of progress was not just frustrating me, but my instructor as well. Add in knee problems and I decided I needed a break. I still love the art, which is what led me to your channel, but I do regret not continuing. I've actually considered going back, but the amount of material I would need to re-learn, as well as the physical ailments that go with a "well lived" 50 years makes me take pause.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

Never too late my friend. Even just for getting into shape and staying healthy. I'll be 40 next year and this summer I just decided to start JuJustu/Judo. Lots of thumps and lumps but it still feels great. Never too late to train in an art :)

[@rogerward3185]

@@ArtofOneDojo Interestingly, all things considered, I'm not in "bad" shape. Despite the achy knees, I can still put in an OK 5K time. For me, my biggest issue is shoulder problems from people getting a little too aggressive during Army Combatives training, and me being too stubborn/proud/stupid to stop at the first sign of injury, and coming back too quickly. Throwing on body armor daily after didn't help! But, you're right, it may not be too late, so long as I am able to work around my limitations.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

@@rogerward3185 You should be able to. Any instructor or school that won't let you take your limitations into consideration is not the right school to train at. They should be able to help you develop your strengths to compensate for it.

[@rogerward3185]

@@ArtofOneDojo Oh, I agree. My old instructor is getting up in years, but is still teaching. I have no doubt he would do everything he could. I'm "friends" on Facebook with a blackbelt under him who has offered to help me out as well. It is a matter of getting up the courage, the willingness to accept my limitations and the fact I will have lost so much, then making sure I have the time and money to commit. I should also probably talk it over with my wife...

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I truly hope you can work it out my friend. I fully understand the time and investment. I've had periods of time where my school was closed and spent a couple of years studying independently. I referred to all manuals and videos I had and just reviewed, studied and tried to analyze it. It's not a replacement for a live instructor or a dojo, but it does help. Regarding the fear...it's going to be there and I'm not going to lie, going back is going to suck and the first class or two will feel horrible. You'll feel rusty, out of shape, and disappointed...however I PROMISE you that goes away. 100% You start to get energy back, and you feel the rust fall off and that part feels great. Limitations....well, there is always away around something. Maybe you can't do it exactly as you'd like, but there are definitely ways to push or circumvent them. My JuJutsu/Judo once told me he had a student years back that was missing an arm, and he was still able to teach them how to do a shoulder throw with his one arm and adjusting his body mechanics. I also had a classmate in high school that only had one arm and he was one of the star football players. So I don't mean to be crass but when it comes to limitations...they SUCK but they can also suck it. Just presents an opportunity to come up with a creative solution. I apologize if that comes off "lecturish" but I truly hope for the best for you, and hope that you can find you way back into it. Don't let the idea of regret keep you out of it, because you may regret never going back to it. Best of luck to you my friend :)

[@slimkillah76]

Thank you for sharing. I had similar experiences. My school also closed. I had been there 8 years and was a brown belt. My teacher basically retired. His son still practices, but since there is no school there really isn't a curriculum. I had to leave it behind. I have been doing Shotokan now and gues what!? My teacher has moved us to a new location and it seems to be going more traditional. Smh.

[@realwarriorscholar]

Moving around was my hardest challenge, however, I found a traditional Shotokan school online. Finally able to continue!

[@carlreynolds1111]

I started 3 years ago in kung fu. Then six months after added tenshin aikido. Mixed in some boxing at a gym. Then realized i needed some grappling floor technique and so i added judo and jiu jitsu. Sounds like more than it is , however i got like one lesson from each style about once a week. I have to reschedule things and do the lessons a little less but practice more at home cause of family and all. But i will always keep going . no so worried about getting belts and advancement but to get better and see the black belts down the road as inspiration to keep going. Nice channel cheers

[@kacperz5683]

I train Seido Karate (founder: Tadashi Nakamura) and we have simple, ten-steps rank system (kyu). I've been training for almost 11 years from now (I'm nineteen) and I've had 1 kyu for one year. I really love karate. Not only "my" style called "seido", I just love karate concept. Because I 100% agree with master Funakoshi's saying, that there is only one karate and making new styles based on "different approach to technics" or whatever is simply a distortion of its meaning, which is "win a fight in any way possible". Here I have to say, that most sensei all around the world (not only in seido, but in every karate style) don't understand this neither their own styles founders (who, though creating styles, know how to train karate for karate, not for championships neither belts). For me, karate is a way of living, it's one of most important ways in my life and I'm walking it until I'm dead, but unfortunately there are more people who treat it like a sport or a nice hobby. Like my friends at my section. They are very devoted to our training, they don't quit or give up, but they think of karate just like of a very cool sport. I try to train real karate at home, 'cause my sensei is more into these japanese styles of karate, these more sport-like, not okinawan-self-defense scheme. But I really love my dojo. My sensei and my colleagues are very nice people and I wouldn't change them for anyone. Now, i'm training hard and I'm looking forward my black belt exam. I see your style of kempo is very self-defense type (just how I like it) and I see you are very skilled (and very nice) sensei, really devoted to his passion, which are martial arts. I wish you all the best and most importantly - a winner type of thinking, that you will keep for your entire life. And I wish that to every real martial artists who are reading this :)

[@jackcrofts-mullin461]

I currently train in Karate with my best friend. The reason we are training is because we want to open our own dojo for the next generation. Our town is quite a dangerous place to live. So as a godfather and with a friend that’s a mother and another friend expecting, we want their generation to be able to protect themselves. My godson and the next generation are my motivation to keep training

[@pizzamax21]

my favorite video of yours so far!

[@bpindermoss]

I have 47 years of martial arts training and have never achieved black belt. The main compensation for this is the surprise on the black belts faces who have to spar against me. I started out at 18 in Kyokushinkai, moved to Preying Mantis, Hapkido, then kickboxing, Shotokan and finally to Goju Ryu in which I hold a 2nd kyu brown belt. To be honest, I was a natural at martial arts and no other sport. My style is very much eclectic. Hapkido wrist techniques get combined with Shotokan kicks and Goju Ryu close-in fighting. I never much cared about belts, figuring that a black belt was just a target for me to punch or kick. Kata, in my later years, absolutely fascinates me. The bunkai is almost always something that I've seen before, but in Goju, it's all hidden. There are no secrets in the age of the internet though, I can just look up the kata on the web and find out what that turn or hand gesture is actually for. For me, there is no sport in martial arts, just self-defense and the lethality of the technique is the main attraction. So, for me, Goju Ryu is perfect. It seems strange in this era of MMA for there to be a system that doesn't have free sparring in it, but traditional Goju does not, at least under the Jundokan, although of late there is a move to bring it back. So, here I am at 65 years of age, still training, still improving, never having had to actually fight and use it and thankful for that. Injuries and old age are taking their toll, but a martial artist is by their very nature, not a quitter.

[@SarahStuckstede]

Just started my two year testing phase for 3rd degree in Kuk Sool Won. I love learning and training in the martial arts.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Sarah all the best with your testing phase! 👍 ☺ ✌

[@SarahStuckstede]

@@Soldier-of-God. thanks so much. I'll definitely need it.

[@Soldier-of-God.]

Sarah you are most welcome, I am certain that you will do well! 👍 ☺ ✌

[@jakmak52]

Our BB test was spread out over 3 days. It was a closed event and the shades were pulled down and the A/C heat was turned on. We had 3 buckets alongside the testing area in case someone needed to vomit. I would say the most difficult part of the test was to withstand the sparring at the end of the test with 5 upper BB teachers and remain standing till the finish.

[@ArtofOneDojo]

And THAT is how you know you've earned it. WOW.

[@jakmak52]

@@ArtofOneDojo I'm not sure I earned it, it's more of honor & privilege. I believe my Higher Power had a large part of it as well.

[@robertfrate6665]

Hi Dan, ty so much for this excellent video, back in 1993 I was told I’m testing for my black belt shortly, I was not ready and also did not agree with this kicking in the stomach after the test is done!! So I left the school, just recently started training again, I’ve seen many black belt tests and they are intense, I can handle this just don’t like the kick in the end!! My experience, ty, Bob,

[@ArtofOneDojo]

I get it, but trust me, that kick is not as bad as it seems. Kenpo is NOTORIOUS for these kicks, and the secret is....do a crap ton of situps and build up your abs! But honestly, it's not as bad as it seems and you'll do just fine and it's TOTALLY worth it.

[@robertfrate6665]

@@ArtofOneDojo ty for your reply Dan, it’s been thirty years since I left the school, I left for many reasons, one is I left my class to many times feeling like I wasn’t worth it to my teacher, it was very disappointing for me rather than uplifting and confident! I was put down to much instead of built up!! Now I’m back and I’m training hard, I never stopped training, just left that school! Ty, Bob,

[@minauran6152]

In the description you said that only 1-3% get BB. I’m a rookie black belt, I got it in early May of this year, and I’m proud to be a part of that 1-3%.

[@halenball-vant1772]

I definitely had the problem of feeling I was not progressing. I made it five belts in and then needed leg surgery for an unrelated issue. During my recovery period both my brother and sister passed my level. This really frustrated me and I quit soon after. A year later (13 now) I came back and was much more motivated because I felt that since I had the opportunity to quit, I was the one forcing myself to train and not anyone else.

[@Batucada408]

I had tested for my black belt…well, probably junior black belt at the time when I practiced shotokan. Originally, I had intended to continue training but decided to take a little time off to adjust to the junior high routine after losing contact with my sensei. 30 years and a couple of moves later, I found my uniform (now too small) and my belt. Coming across my old gear motivated me to start training again and recently picked up a new uniform for when I’m read. Only thing keeping me is the $ for dues.