#7: James Hundon – Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast

10/13/23 • 67 min

“Everyone has a gift, but not everyone seeks to find it, or has the patience to go within themselves to find it. It’s passion, what are you passionate about? What part of you gives you the drive to work hard to get good at something, no matter what it is. We can be mediocre or we can be average, but what makes a person driven to become extra ordinary. You are being driven to do something; we need to find that drive. Everyone has a talent, as teachers we need to understand our students so that we can help them discover their talents and develop their confidence.” -- James Hundon

My guest this episode is Prof. James Hundon, who is the founder of Universal Martial Arts Academy and Small Circle Ju Trap Boxing. He is a 7’th degree Black Belt in both Small Circle Jujitsu under Great Grand Master Wally Jay and Kyohuejitsumae under Soke James Mcqueen. A lifelong student of the martial arts Prof. Hundon’s extensive background also includes instructorship in Chinese Kenpo, Kodokan Jujitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and Serrada Escrima. Prof Hundon has also been inducted into both the Masters Hall of Fame and the US. Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

This episode is all about being open to exploration and the pure Joy of studying Martial Arts. My key takeaway is that everyone has a gift, but not everyone seeks to find it. We must look to discover what makes us passionate and how it drives us to become extraordinary. As students we must look to find our talents, and as teachers we must guide our students towards this discovery. The creative process of martial arts requires its practitioners to approach its study with humility and openness. Let the love of the arts drive you forward, let great gratitude and appreciation fuel your vehicle of discovery. We also dive deep into Prof. Hundon’s unique training methods, and how he has maintained longevity, cultivated a student first mindset, and how he has mentored generations of martial artists. This was a phenomenal episode, with one of the true OGs of the game, join us for an extraordinary conversation about the joy of living life as a martial artist.

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#6: Graciela Casillas - Trailblaze Your Own Style

“My goal in training is to build a student’s reflexes not just memorizing a technique. Building reflexes by discarding the drills, and eventually being able to free flow, so you can react to any angle of attack, if you train that way you will never be caught off guard because you are prepared for any line of attack, it doesn’t matter the trajectory of the weapon because you have already trained it, as opposed to set techniques that may not fit the situation.” – Graciela Casillas

My guest this episode is Graciela Casillas who is a former Boxing and Kickboxing World Champion. She was the first athlete to simultaneously hold both titles. She was originally a student of Taekwondo and full-contact Karate and a 3rd degree Black Belt in Kenpo and Kodenkan Jujitsu. She was trained as an instructor by legends like Guro Dan Inosanto and Grandmaster Angel Cabales and is currently a college Academic Counselor and Educator. She was awarded Black Belt Magazine's and Inside Kung-Fu Magazine's "Woman of the Year" in 1989 and inducted into the Martial Arts Hall of Fame. In 2020, she was inducted into the International Women's Boxing Hall of Fame.

This episode is all about trailblazing your own path in this world. My key takeaway is that as martial artists we should all evolve and develop our own expression and style of movement. We begin our training by imitating and emulating our teachers, but we must continue the path of exploration and discover our strengths and weaknesses, and from their look for our own unique opportunities for growth. From this growth we will learn valuable lessons that will lead to the creation of a better version of ourselves. We also dive deep into teaching and training philosophies and how to discover your own truth. Graciela Casillas is an educator and true martial arts pioneer who inspired paved the way for women in combat sports. Tune in and enjoy a fantastic episode.

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#8: Willie “The Bam” Johnson – The Art of Honest Self Expression

“The Jail that I was in was easy. The Jail that most people are in today without being incarcerated in a Jail Cell, is the Jail cell of the mind and the heart. It wasn’t till I learned to love me in Jail, it wasn’t until I learned to express me in jail, that I was able to look at myself in the mirror, and say, Let’s Go Bam.”

My guest this episode is Willie “The Bam” Johnson, who is a seven-time sport karate and kung fu world champion, a two-time All-American champion, and a true hero in the world of martial arts. As the creator of Wushudo Universal Martial Arts, Johnson is known for his dynamic, universal approach to developing physical, mental and spiritual fitness. Johnson is the founder and national spokesperson for the Stronger Than Drugs Foundation and was inducted into the Martial Arts and Black Belt Magazine Halls of Fame.

This episode is all about the inner journey of rebirth and personal transformation. Willie shares how he used martial arts to transform from a criminal in prison into a seven-time world champion and a community leader. My key take away is that quest for honest self-expression can free you from the prison of who you think you are. We need to love and except ourselves wholly and totally, and once we can let go of external approval, we can start to go inside and discover our unique gifts and talents which we can then give to the world. Tune in to one of the most inspirational and life changing conversations I have ever had.