Are You Ready?
This week we’ve got 36 students testing to their next milestone on their Blackbelt hero’s journey!
Some are testing to probationary Blackbelt, the step where they have completed three years of training with the Freshmen, Sophomore and Junior levels of preparation and development, and start training in the Senior class with the Blackbelts!
I love watching the amazing transformation that happens at this level!
Others have done their probationary time with the Blackbelt tribe and are ready to test for their 1st Degree Certified rank, and still others are testing to the 2nd Degree Blackbelt Leader- the goal!
Others stay and train even further beyond Blackbelt.
At this test Sensei Charlie is testing for his 3rd Degree, Senior Blackbelt Leader and Sensei Thomas for his 4th Degree, the first Master rank!
Still many other students are taking their next step of Blackbelt training towards becoming Blackbelts and beginning that exciting stage of their hero journey one day. We hope to see all of you to get you next rank and celebrate at the graduation too!
In addition to all this, there is so much that goes on behind the scenes to orchestrate and support it all.
I am grateful for Ms. Ruthe and all the other people who work behind the scenes to help me bring an event like this to life.
Friday we start with Team training with Grandmaster Smith at 10am and then the kick-off of the Blackbelt Retreat with speeches at 6pm.
Then Saturday training from 9am-9pm and testing Sunday morning and graduation Sunday afternoon!
That’s an epic weekend!
Are you ready?
Oh, and there may be some wind and rain happening next couple of days.
Make sure you’re ready for that also. 🙂
I feel for our friends in Big Bend who seem that they’ll be hit directly again, but I’m grateful that God willing we will be minimally affected by the storm and our Blackbelt weekend can go on as planned!
So, wherever you are on the Blackbelt Leadership law of the process, are you ready for what’s next?
Rather you’re beginning the Blackbelt Hero journey this weekend (probationary blackbelt) or taking a next step, or you’re a beginner or intermediate student taking your next step to get to that phase of your journey, keep up the great work!
A Blackbelt is a white belt that never quit!
And if you haven’t started your journey yet, this can be the month that you started your family’s Blackbelt journey with KMMA!
The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step!
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
About Grandmaster Stephen J. Del Castillo: Grandmaster Del Castillo is the founding Master Instructor of Krav Maga Martial Arts and has been empowering lives in Pasco and Hillsborough Counties since October of 2000. He is a 7th degree Blackbelt, MBA, author, mentor and success coach, a US Army Veteran and a proud father and grandfather. He is married to Ms. Barbara Del Castillo who helps him run the school. Grand Master Del Castillo began his training in the early 80’s and has high level blackbelts in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, Premier Martial Arts and Krav Maga Martial Arts as well as experience in kickboxing, Jeet Kune Do and Jiujitsu. He has high level instructor certifications from BBSI, IKMF, and KMG and has been featured in numerous Martial Arts publications and also Success magazine. He was a competitive sport karate and American Kickboxing instructor until he enlisted in the US Army where he served in the 82nd Airborne Division, where he won an Army Green to Gold scholarship and proceeded to ROTC and the University of Tampa. He was commissioned in 1992 and went on to serve in Germany with the 3rd Infantry Division and then in several other posts in the US until he left military service to pursue his dream of creating KMMA in 2000. Today I continue to train, learn, sow and grow under the mentorship of World Champion Grandmaster Jeff Smith, who regularly visits the academy to help sow into my teams and students as well.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes BLVD and now our new location in 8836 US 19, Port Richey! Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Port Richey and surrounding areas.
See stephendelcastillo.com for more information and to order my book, Developing Your Superpower, Meditations on Mastery, Volume 1.
Also, check us out on Fun4TampaKids & on Go2Karate.com