I began my martial arts training in September of 2003 with Sensei Quitadamo at the Central Washington University dojo. Kyokushin gave me more of an adrenaline rush than previous sports and drove me to strive in Kyokushin. I began cross-training in mixed martial arts two years later in Muay Thai, Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling out of Team Guerin of Yakima, WA. During this time, I discovered I was skilled at Jiu-Jitsu and submission grappling, probably due to my body type and height. Although I enjoyed this training, I still wasn’t getting the amazing workout and the feeling of being part of a family that I got in Kyokushin at the Ellensburg dojo. I decided to concentrate strictly on Kyokushin which was more important than anything else I could train in. I graded for my black belt in Seattle in December of 2008 after under Sensei Quitadamo. 

 

Over the last 6 years in the Ellensburg dojo, I discovered I had skill in motivating and coaching students in their fight game. Coaching fighters and having them win is one of the best feelings in the world, and so I concentrated on supporting the dojo in this way. I also served as President for the CWU Kyokushin Karate Club and promoted the dojo whenever I could. I graduated from Central Washington University in June of 08 with a degree in Retail Management, Communications, and E-commerce. On graduation day I proudly wore my Kyokushin black belt around my neck because I know that Kyokushin has helped me to get where I am today. I’ve also served by collecting eight company and gym sponsors and designing the Northwest Kyokushin sweatshirts which raised a great deal of money and gave the Ellensburg dojo and Kyokushin a great deal of publicity. After graduation, I moved to the west side of Washington and started training at T-Town MMA and Gig Harbor Kickboxing because no Kyokushin was available. I trained in Muay Thai kickboxing, submission wrestling, and Gracie Barra Jiu-Jitsu. This year I will travel to Phuket, Thailand to live and train under Tiger Muay Thai and MMA Phuket for the next six months. Once back in the United States, I plan to continue to develop my Kyokushin knowledge and training to continue to learn and improve. 

 

Kyokushin has improved my character and my life for the better by leaps and bounds. Kyokushin will always be my home and base for martial arts, and for life. Osu!