Master B's Web log

Neal "Hop" Hoffler is one of the toughest men I have ever met.   Here we are competing at the Vermont nationals in Rutland.  Master Hoffler is my senior in TSD and always was there to help "train" us when were were hot on the tournament circuit and striving to become champions. Master Hoffler grew up on the streets of Waterbury, Connecticut and learned how to fight way before coming in to learn martial arts.  His reputation in town was unparalleled.   While Steve Best, Doug Peoples and Karen Harvey and I were blazing the tournament circuit and sponsoring our own tournament we thought it would be a great idea to bring a group out for a senior team match.  Master Jeff Goldberg, Master Hoffler, Clarence von Wilder and Tony Molina brought it that day in Meriden.  It was great to see them (our teachers) banging it out on the gym floor. It was the start of a small resurgence.  In a few months Jeff and we sparred in New Haven against New England Patriot Andre Tippett.  Mas

 Tribute- a definition. An act, statement, or gift that is intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration. The dedication in this book reads; To Kwan Jang Nim Mike Bogdanski and SBN Kristin Duethorn who show that true leadership has no gender. To Master Bogdanski, with appreciation for all I have learned and gained from you. Gary Powell, author. Description: An exciting new book exploring why we have not seen the enduring changes that were once optimistically anticipated. Each chapter tackles an important question around gender and leadership, such as 'Why do leader stereotypes emphasize masculinity?', 'Why are there so few women in top management positions?' and 'Why do (some) men in top management feel free to sexually harass women?'.   Leading international scholar in the field, Gary N. Powell explores cutting-edge topics including; the appropriate role of masculinity in leadership,  the ever-so-small numbers of female CEOs,  and sexual harassment by men

De-stress your kids  (and yourself) If you haven’t felt any stress during this pandemic then you must be superhuman.  This time in our lives will be recorded as one of the most emotionally draining ever.  The shift of our culture, the change in our daily routines, and social isolation all contribute to the stress families are feeling.  We may not be able to totally remove stress but surely can take steps to reduce it.  Here are a few suggestions. Step 1 - Healthy eating.  Your body is your temple.  You have all heard this mantra about food.  Imagine you owned a million-dollar racehorse.  You probably wouldn't feed it candy and cookies all day.  Fruit and vegetables are definitely the prescriptions for fueling the body for energy and clarity.  Prime your body for good health and immunity from disease by eating fresh fruits and veggies. Step 2 - Exercise.  Your kids don’t need the Marine Corp workout but they need to move.  Climbing trees, throwi

Grandmaster Robert E. Beaudoin, I first met Master Beaudoin in the mid seventies. We attended his tournament in Waterbury, Connecticut. We had a sort of “rival” Tsd school that competed there and we always matched up against his guys.  Grandmaster Hwang Kee was in attendance and even awarded me my first place trophy When I won in Black Belt breaking competition. Many years were to pass until we met again.  We attended the 50th anniversary of that tournament and reminisced. A year later I was at the airport to fly to D.C. to attend the 50th anniversary of Grandmaster Jenkins tenure in Tang Soo Do.  Grandmaster B was in the waiting area preparing to board and would be attending the event (he was Kjn Jenkins original teacher).  We chatted and made some small talk and soon departed for the short flight. Upon arrival in Reagan airport my wife and I saw him standing by the luggage area by himself.  He was arranging transportation. We then asked if he wanted to accompany me and and

Kevin Thompson Has been called the 8th wonder of the world. Devoting his whole life to martial arts Kevin changed the world, just ask anyone that spent time with him. When I was competing heavily in the 80’s Kevin and I competed in the black belt weapons category many times in the A rated national tournaments.  Even though I was hoping to win I mostly was in awe of his performances in weapons, forms and sparring. He was known as a triple threat and often won first place in forms weapons and sparring and grand championships with his performances.  One of the greatest matches ever was Kevin versus Steve “nasty’ Anderson.  Nasty was twice as big, equally powerful and fast (the days heavyweight winner) versus Kevin, the lightweight winner.  For sure it was a David and Goliath day.  Kevin took it to Nasty, and with no fear and no reservation beat Nasty to win the Grand championship that day. I loved his intensity but I more admired what a gentleman he was. Ever polite and respect

Not Babe Ruth but Babe Didrikson Zaharias. Born in Texas in poverty. Decided she was going to be great in sports She had the kind of will that makes a champion. She asked a coach about throwing a javelin.  He showed her the basic technique.  She beat the American record on her first throw. She was all American in tennis, golf, swimming  softball and basketball.she was national champion and an Olympian winning two medals She went on to break records in golf. At the peak of her career she was diagnosed with cancer and told by her Doctor she would probably not survive the operation. She survived and a year and a half later win the national golf championship. Develop your mental toughness through martial arts training!

Getting a black belt and being a black belt are definitely two different things. Like driving to the prom and staying in the car Like getting a driver license and never driving. Like cooking dinner and not eating The first day you get your belt it doesn’t even feel right.  It takes time to feel like it is really yours and you deserve it. I awarded a black belt to a student once whe never even came back to one class to wear it.’’ Did they get a black belt or become a black belt?