re: Who took martial arts when they were younger?

My boy is. He does that Judy Chop and the Kung fu kick on me all the time

We boxed. Had an OLD neighborhood guy who had a heavy bag and speed bag in his garage and mats. He had a man cave off the garage you could tell was from the 60-70’s. He had an old pool table there.

He had boxed professionally in the late 40’s to early 50’s. And yes he sounds like all of the red flags for being creepy. But was just a decent old dude.

I watched old Bruce Lee movies on showtime when premium cable was still a new thing. Got my cheap assed dad to agree and take me to karate lessons. The big hairy instructor terrified me. I never went back.


A neighbor kid took taekwondo a few years back when we were new to my current neighborhood. 9-10th grade he had a 3rd degree black belt. To me it seems like some places cheapen the belt and the belt system is just a way to keep kids in it and parents paying? Just my observation. Any of you actually know what you’re talking about can tell me otherwise? Again this was taekwondo. Also it was when taekwondo was king. BJJ and MMA were all everyone walking about but the BJJ gyms were not here yet. Maybe 1 to 10 gyms Jiujitsu vs. taekwondo.

My tang so do master said he would get his arse kicked in a rules fight with BJJ or MMA guy.. But he might have a chance in the street cause there he could gouge out eyeballs and throat bunch or other lethal means.

Ahh yes. I see that you know your judo well.

All the best martial arts take place in strip malls

I didn't as a kid because I was too shy. I always regretted it, so as an adult I made up for lost time by trying everything I could get my hands on: shito ryu karate, judo, aikido, bjj, boxing, muay thai. Have the most time in with bjj.

I put my grandson in karate a few years back. He achieved black belt at 16 years old. I attended his black belt test and it was very harsh for those who weren't ready. I told the instructors that I didn't want him to have a black belt, I wanted him to be one. He is. You can maybe buy belts at your local dojo, but you have to test for black belt with real masters. They don't just hand them out. I hope he never has to fight. He did well in tournaments but that is not why I put him in.

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I wish I never quit. I was 14 when I did, but I was lazy and didn’t have the discipline and respect for it.

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And your dad probably quickly figured out the neighborhood dojo was a money making operation.

Oh you want to move up…well, there’s a fee for us to judge your techniques.

What? We can’t just test and find out where I can be placed according to skill? One step at a time? Each with a fee?

I started Karate when I was 14. It is better to start as a kid if you plan on doing it for a long time.