Blackbelt Leader CPA
Today I am so proud of and grateful for the great Sensei Michelle Cummings.
Michelle is a KMMA Sensei and Blackbelt Leader, a CPA and the Asst VP and Comptroller at USF, the mom of two great kids who are also KMMA Blackbelts and the wife to an awesome and supportive husband.
I JUST came off an AMAZING Podcast interview with her.
It was great!
We’ll get it up as soon as possible and I’ll share it with you.
In the meantime, if you don’t already subscribe to my podcast, you can get it on Apple Podcast or always watch and/or listen to all the latest issues at https://tampakravmaga.com/blog/
Have a great weekend!
Or see you tomorrow if you’re coming to class or CIT!
Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead!
Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo
Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts
TampaKravMaga.com StephenDelCastillo.com
p.s. here’s what Sensei Michelle sent me ahead of time re: her podcast interview. She’s a passionate student and raving fan, a great leader, and a great writer too!
Good morning!
I just wanted to jot down a few things that I thought about so you could look at before the podcast this morning.
What brought me on the mat?
It was Fear. At first of the dangers that I might not be able to protect my children (3 and 6 at the time). I heard something tragic on the news and since I was looking for outside activities for them at the time I thought that giving a gift that may one day save their life was the best choice I could make. I knew those dangers to be remote of course but also knew there would be many other benefits through a martial arts practice, so I sought out and found KMMA.
But that was getting my kids started – this wasn’t on my bucket list so why did I go along with them shortly after they started?
It was Fear again. After sitting on the side watching classes, seeing the smiles as I glance up from checking my work emails, I was afraid again not of physical dangers this time but of missing an opportunity. How many chances do we get in life to learn something side-by-side with our kids on a level playing field and accomplish significant milestones together at such different stages in life? I was afraid of missing the chance to grow together, practice together and I didn’t know this then but to share a hug after a blackbelt test -after the literal blood, sweat and tears you shared together to get there!
I am glad a little Fear compelled me to act that Saturday to try this out and join my kids over 9 years ago now but I can tell you that the Fear is completely replaced with confidence, of course because my kids and I are dedicated students of the most practical self-defense in the world😊, but also because of the resiliency developed through our practice and leadership lessons that has and will continue to serve us well in all we do in life!
Some other ideas for things I could mention – my favorite leadership lessons – how I related to this as a young parent and work leader
- Be a Good Finder
- All growth happens outside your comfort zone
- Personality profiles
- Everything happens for a reason and it serves me well
See you at 10:30!
Michelle A. Cummings, CPA
Assistant Vice President and Controller
University of South Florida Foundation
4202 E. Fowler Ave, ALC100 • Tampa, FL • 33620
Office 813-974-1826 • Mobile 813-505-0733 • macummings@usf.edu
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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.
The Krav MagaMartial Arts Headquarters is in Lutz, FL at 1900 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., 33549. Krav Maga Martial Arts serves Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, 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