Grand Master’s Challenge
Hi there, Sensei Allie here- Grandmaster challenged me to write about what Krav Maga Martial Arts has done for me in my life, sooo… this is me doing that 🙂
As many of you know, I started training under Grandmaster Del Castillo when I was 3 years old… that was about 20 years ago!!! Here’s some proof if you don’t believe me!
In those 20 years, I’ve learned so much, it’d be impossible to tell you all of it in one email; I will, however, share a few of the highlights.
First things first, KMMA has helped me develop the 6 foundational Superpowers that Grandmaster writes about in his book- focus, respect, discipline, confidence, gratitude, and vision. When my parents first brought me to KMMA (we were called Daimyo at the time), I’m sure they were hoping for me to develop focus and discipline, something I struggled with greatly throughout my childhood. As I grew up and began developing those, I found myself in need of confidence and gratitude a little more, so I got help working on those as well.
Those of you that are currently students already know that even if you come in looking to hone one or two specific superpowers, or even none of them, you end up learning and improving on all of them. And even though I still continue to work towards mastery of the superpowers every day, I have grown into a confident, competent black belt leader with the honor of helping others start their journey in developing them as well.
Second, the academy has provided me with a home away from home, and a second family. The dojo has been my home, my comfort, my safe haven. It has been the place I run to in times of turmoil, in times of joy, in times of fear, and in times of boredom. No matter what I have going on, I have always been welcomed with open arms and have been lifted up by the incredible members of our tribe. It has given me purpose, and a place where I get to make a difference in the lives of so many people and do what I have been called to do.
The tribe and family that we have at the dojo is truly miraculous, especially with how much it’s grown over the years. While some people have come and gone, the culture and camaraderie remains. Like I previously mentioned, I’ve been training here since I was a toddler, and I actually ended up taking a break for 5 years after I earned my 1st degree certified blackbelt. However, when I finally found my way back home, I was welcomed with open arms into the tribe by so many new faces, and even some old ones, but still the same loving feeling!
Now don’t hear what I’m not saying- while the feeling of being welcomed back was amazing, I still look back and wish I had never left. But as we teach at Krav Maga Martial Arts- everything happens for a reason and it serves me well!
The lessons I learned and the experiences I had during my hiatus made me stronger and had put me in exactly the place I needed to be when I returned- someone who was hungry to learn and grow and get back to the warrior Kravist I had been before I left, to get back into shape and to finally achieve my goal of earning my second degree blackbelt and become a certified head instructor! Both goals I have since accomplished, thanks to the support and guidance of Grandmaster and all of the other incredible Sensei.
Krav Maga Martial Arts is a place that welcomes everyone, and has a team of amazing instructors whose only goal is to help our students succeed at their goals and aspirations, and prepare them for success where their at and into their future, both in and out of the martial arts, just like Grandmaster Del Castillo and my other instructors did for me growing up.
Today, it is my honor and privilege to do the same for you.
If you’re not already a part of the tribe, please call me at 813-948-4844 or email me at senseiallie@tampakravmaga.com !
I can’t wait to see you here soon!
Sensei Allie Peters, Program Director KMMA
813-948-4844
SenseiAllie@TampaKravMaga.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.
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