Definitely want to attend or compete in this event!!!

It has been a few days since I updated here, but for good reason.  This past weekend I battled out several championship rounds of food poisoning.  Certainly a worthy opponent, this food poisoning, but in the end who’s still standing?!  You know this!

It definitely was not what I had on the agenda over the weekend and for a couple of queezy, uncomfortable days following.  To say the least, my writing here and for other sites and publications I write for took a break.

I am better now and will pick up full-time training again tomorrow (light today) and begin mentally and physically preparing for my next tournament which is right around the corner.

Originally, I was heading toward the Battle of Atlanta (that’s in Atlanta by the way   but we received an invitation for the same date to a wedding of a dear friend and someone who used to serve as a leader in our outreach to youth.  We are very excited to be a part of this event and celebrate with her…and so the Battle of Atlanta will have to wait another year for me, but you better get your peachy little self right on over and check out this phenom event.

I would seriously encourage you to check it out if you are in that part of the country, or jump in there if you are a martial artist.  This is a quality event that attracts some of the best in the world and is one of the most exciting tournaments in the world!  Check them out at http://www.battleofatlanta.com.  I know a lot of our readers are in and around the ATL area, so you guys get out and support the sport in this area!

I will be competing locally (Florida) again this time, and I will post details soon as many of you are asking about hanging out at the next tourney again.  Too much fun!!!

The opportunity to work with a group of students here in the Central Florida area is progressing and I look forward to sharing details with you soon about that.

Here Doug and Michael are competing in Self Defense, but at the local College it was Michael producing the tapouts and takedowns!

Michael and I had fun demonstrating self-defense at a local Community College last week (before the food poisoning!), to which he commented, “I am really enjoying seeing you tap right now,” during the demonstration.  He was the defender and I was the aggressor so he had some fun taking me down   It was fun overall and there was good feedback for the demonstration.

I am really excited that this “Quest” is only growing at this point and is becoming much more about investing in other people’s lives and leading others to overcome challenges in their lives…and many people are getting involved with martial arts and experiencing the benefits of what the arts have to offer.

As an update on my physical condition:  To date I have lost close to 60 lbs and am daily experiencing a surge in my energy, and a drop in my clothing sizes.  It is still humorous as I have yet to go shopping for new clothes and many of my clothes kinda look silly on me now…at least that’s how they feel.  Several people who have known me for some time, who saw me at the U.S. Open said, “WOW!  You really have lost a lot of weight!” and commented about how far I have come (these people really knew the inside story of how much I have really been through, and how far I’ve come back up.)

I am continuing to cross train with other martial arts experts and coaches and gain new insight and experience with some exciting top level people, so I will continue to physically reap the benefits of this cross-training.  I look to break through another plateau with my weight and body tone in the next few weeks, so that is exciting (I am just past the halfway point of my goal for body size and weight).

As I said earlier, I am pumped that this is becoming about helping others and I thank you for sending your encouragement and stories about how some of you are breaking through your own obstacles to reach your dreams and goals.  Keep going and never look back!

Pic from the very beginning...here we go again. The fun has only just begun!

A  I jump into training again the next few days, I will share some updates and how I am doing and give details about the next tournament.  We have a full schedule both in and out of the area for the rest of the year, so it is exciting!

Here’s to your success!!!  Rock on!

P.S. – I am not affiliated with Battle of Atlanta in any way…just want to make that clear.  I simply think this is a wonderful event and I want to support the sport as much as I can.  So, get on over there and get yourself a Georgia Peach and enjoy some of the best athletes in the world perform!