U.S. Open begins tomorrow, July 3-4, at the Disney Coronado Springs Resort in Orlando, FL

…I salute you!!!

Well, here we are friends!  This is the Final Countdown (another shameless tribute to big music and big hair from the past :)  Tomorrow begins the world’s most prestigious Martial Arts tournament…the 2009 U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships.  Martial Artists from all over the globe are converging on Orlando as I type (they have been arriving all week) preparing to go head-to-head in everything from Jiu Jitsu, Freestyle fighting, Forms, Weapons, Self Defense, Synchronization, Sparring, Team Demos, XMA Trick Battles, and so much more!

Here’s one thing I know…with all the martial artists in the area this week, Orlando should be the safest big city in America !

Doug and the team getting ready for the U.S. Open

We had some good, light training yesterday with the team, and then Michael and I went back out for a couple of hours to do some more work on our own.  Today is a rest day…mental training day…enjoy the process day.  I just got word that I may be going out in just a bit to help set some things up with my friends over at www.Kickgen.com who will be onsite all weekend doing live stream broadcasts and capturing the entire event on video, and interviewing some of the top athletes.  I’ve got family coming in from out of state and other friend arriving in Central Florida as well for this mothership of tournaments!  This should be a fun day in anticipation of tomorrow’s events kicking off.

I will be posting some results and happenings as I can and am not engaged in competition throughout the weekend, then after it is all said and done, I will post some links to vids and final results and also let you in on what is happening for the future as a result of this training experience.

If you need times and locations of my events, please see my previous post…

I look forward to seeing you there!

P.S. – Please take a moment to thank my sponsors and friends who have supported this effort by visiting their sites, sending them a message…or better yet, get a hold of some of their products and services.  Only the best for you my friend!  Now…let’s rock!

Mike, Chuck, Doug, and Michael having some fun and training for the U.S. Open, July 3-4

As you know, preparing for and competing at this level is no “one-man” show.  There is always a team of people working together to make things happen.  That’s simply the way things work in any situation.  A couple of days ago I introduced you to Chuck, who is on our team and assisting me in one of the events at the U.S. Open.  I mentioned how he had been working to regain strength and full-function of his knees over the past seven months.  I’d like to introduce to you the people responsible for helping him “get his legs back” and also help him shape up and become stronger overall.

Matt Bloom, Brian Schwab, and the team at Orlando Barbell (see their link to the right and below) have been on the job for months working with Chuck, and we are thankful to them as it has afforded Chuck the opportunity to train with us and compete with us at the World Championships next weekend.

Matt Bloom is an accomplished trainer who holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports and Fitness from the University of Central Florida, is a Certified Strength Trainer by the world-famous Westside Barbell, and a Certified Fitness Trainer by the International Sports and Science Association.  That is a mouthful, but it gets better.  Matt has coached and trained some of the NFL’s and MLB’s top players including Super Bowl, Pro Bowl, World Series and All Stars champions.  He has coached some of the fastest NFL players, and has trained next to world-record holding powerlifters at the world’s strongest gym, Westside Barbell.  I have put a complete listing of his (very impressive) credentials on our Friends and Sponsors page.  Let’s just say this…if you want to be trained by one of the Nation’s best Strength and Fitness Coaches, you need to contact Matt.  His contact info is on the Friends and Sponsor page as well.  Matt trains at several locations in the Central Florida area, including Orlando Barbell where Chuck has been training for several months now.

Orlando Barbell is home to some of the nations top trainers and athletes

Orlando Barbell is led by Brian Schwab who hold a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Sciences from the University of Florida.  In addition to his many certifications, Brian is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.  Brian has been ranked #1 in the Nation in the 148lb. weight class for the past 6 years, holds national records in the 165lb. weight class as well, and is a featured athlete on Orlando’s WESH News Channel 2.  Brian is a published author and has been featured on several national magazine covers for his accomplishments.  We, here at www.QuestForTheUSOpen.com are most impressed with his work with one of our team-mates.  Thanks Brian!  You can learn more about Brian and Orlando Barbell on our Friends and Sponsors page or visit www.OrlandoBarbell.com.

U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships, July 3-4, Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando...visit www.usopen-karate.com for more info and to get your tix!

We are less than a week away from the U.S. Open World Martial Arts Championships and I am soooo excited!  This has been a dream for many years and now it is within reach.  I have reached some significant milestones in my own life personally through all of this, and there are a couple of opportunities opening up as a result too.  I will share with you more the closer we get to the Open and as things are more concrete.

As we launch into this final week, I want to say thanks to each of you who have followed me through this very important time and experience.  There have been many times where I have gone back through posts, comments, emails, and voice messages during times when I wanted to give up and your encouragement has been my fuel.  We are doing this together and I pray you have been inspired along the way to accomplish your own goals and dreams!

We are not finished yet…less than a week and we step on one of the greatest Martial Arts stages the world has to offer.  If you didn’t get a chance to read my interview with Mike McCoy, owner and promoter of the U.S. Open, and learn more about the amazing history and the future of the Sport Martial Arts, please click here and hear from a living legend.

For now, it’s dinner time…see ya!

P.S. - When you visit our Friends and Sponsors Page, be sure to check out the link to my Coach, Lauren Kearney, who is a multiple World Champion Title holder…it just blows me away every time I think that I’ve had the opportunity to work with her through this Quest…Thanks Lauren!