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Martial Arts Past and Present

Martial Arts Past and Present

Auteur(s): Ed Brizzolara
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À propos de cet audio

 Sensei Ed Brizz, taught Karate & Jujitsu for many years. His podcast aims to learn from others about their philosophies and techniques and how they can be applied today.

martialartspastandpresent.substack.comEd Brizzolara
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  • Ep 5: Author and Third Dan, Mike Gillespie

    Ep 5: Author and Third Dan, Mike Gillespie
    Nov 4 2025
    Sensei Ed Briz welcomes Mike Gillespie, a third Dan from Sarasota, Florida, to discuss his martial arts journey. Mike began in the late 1980s at age eleven, inspired by The Karate Kid and persistent requests to his parents. He previously played soccer and ran cross country. Mike identifies the “blue belt blues” as a significant early challenge, a term coined by his first instructor Jim Graydon, describing when practitioners gain enough knowledge to recognize their shortcomings, creating a motivational hurdle before advancement. The speaker discusses the critical challenge of the intermediate belt phase in martial arts training, where many students quit due to discouragement. Unlike those seeking quick results like becoming a Ninja Turtle, the speaker found early training enjoyable and only faced difficulty at blue belt. A key insight shared is that earning a black belt is not an endpoint but merely the beginning of a lifelong journey. Many students quit after achieving black belt, missing the opportunity for continued growth. The speaker emphasizes that martial arts teaches persistence through difficulty, a lesson that transfers to all life pursuits and enables people to achieve goals previously thought impossible. Mike reflects on how martial arts training at a young age instilled mental discipline and confidence that later enabled him to pursue a PhD, recognizing that martial arts is approximately eighty-five percent mental. He emphasizes that martial arts teaches crucial life skills like respect, discipline, and perseverance, helping students learn to push through challenges they don’t want to face. However, he notes a concerning trend where some schools operate as “black belt mills,” awarding belts too easily to maintain enrollment and profit, which undermines the integrity of martial arts training and creates false confidence in students who haven’t genuinely earned their skills or discipline. He discuss the challenge of retaining martial arts students in today’s instant gratification culture. They explain that many students view earning a black belt as the end goal rather than the beginning of their journey, leading them to quit immediately after achieving it. One speaker emphasizes the importance of creating a welcoming training environment where people want to show up and practice consistently, rather than just attend classes. Another highlight is how some instructors take offense when advanced practitioners seek a place to train rather than receive instruction, and notes that collaborative relationships between different martial arts schools enrich the learning experience, though many instructors refuse to interact with other schools out of fear of losing students. Martial arts extends far beyond physical techniques like punching and kicking, offering profound mental and physical discipline applicable to all life domains. Drawing from personal experience, they explain how martial arts training cultivated intellectual humility and process-focused thinking that enabled them to earn a PhD in organizational psychology. They emphasize core tenets like courtesy, integrity, and perseverance found in Taekwondo and other disciplines, which serve as valuable life guides similar to biblical principles. Regarding commercialization, the speaker suggests the issue isn’t commercialization itself but rather the mentality studios encourage, stressing that thoughtful curriculum design remains crucial for meaningful martial arts instruction. The speaker discusses the tension between commercializing martial arts schools and preserving the art form itself. While using existing curricula and training students in striking techniques can be profitable, he emphasizes that schools must balance financial viability with artistic integrity. He cites David Bybee as an example of someone who successfully built a thriving mixed martial arts facility through hard work, discipline, and earning investor confidence, though he acknowledges this represents only one percent of schools. The speaker identifies as a striker specializing in karate, taekwondo, hapkido, and tongsudo, noting that practitioners often maintain these disciplines throughout their lives despite physical demands. The speaker reflects on a significant regret from his martial arts journey: stopping training during college due to pride when he couldn’t find a school meeting his standards. This years-long gap left him out of shape, and when he resumed, his body suffered considerably, possibly leading to needing hip replacements. He emphasizes wishing he had continued training anywhere rather than quitting entirely. Both agree that life interrupts training, but their desire to practice brings them back. The speaker identifies his most transformative experience as the intense period between earning his first and second karate degrees, training four hours daily with dedicated partners, which naturally developed his technical foundation. Beyond the ...
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    45 min
  • Ep. 3: "Superfoot" Bill Wallace (Part 1 of 2)

    Ep. 3: "Superfoot" Bill Wallace (Part 1 of 2)
    Oct 7 2025

    Join Sensei Ed Briz as he sits down with martial arts icon “Superfoot” Bill Wallace, the undefeated middleweight kickboxing world champion and 10th Dan black belt. From his humble beginnings weighing just 89 pounds in Indiana to becoming a global martial arts phenomenon, Wallace shares his incredible journey of resilience and adaptation.

    After a career-threatening knee injury ended his judo prospects in Okinawa, Wallace discovered karate and revolutionized his fighting style around his limitations. Fighting sideways with devastating front-leg strikes, he developed techniques that compensated for his bad knee and ultimately led to an undefeated professional career.

    Beyond the ring, Wallace built the Superfoot system into 42 schools worldwide and rubbed shoulders with Hollywood royalty. Hear fascinating stories about training Elvis Presley, his legendary sparring sessions with Chuck Norris, and landing roles in martial arts films. Wallace also shares invaluable insights on flexibility training, the evolution of martial arts, and why relaxation trumps raw power.

    From overcoming physical limitations to building a martial arts empire, this episode reveals how adversity can forge greatness.

    Listen now to discover the secrets behind one of martial arts’ most innovative champions.

    If you enjoy what you’re hearing and would like to support us in our journey to learn more from martial artists all over the world, visit our Patreon page at Patreon.com/MartialArtsPastandPresent

    You can listen to us from just about anywhere you find podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Pandora, Amazon, and more. Even ask Alexa, Siri, or Google Assistant to “Play the latest episode of Martial Arts Past and Present.”



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit martialartspastandpresent.substack.com
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    56 min
  • Ep 2: Want Smarter Kids? Start Weapons Training. Grandmaster David Lee Garrison

    Ep 2: Want Smarter Kids? Start Weapons Training. Grandmaster David Lee Garrison
    Sep 23 2025

    Join us again as we hear from Grandmaster David Lee Garrison.

    Early Journey and Discipline

    Grandmaster Garrison began martial arts in the 1970s after competing in other sports. He admitted he struggled with his temper and competitiveness, but martial arts gave him discipline, structure, and a way to channel his energy in a positive direction.

    Patience and Consistency

    He believes beginners often make the mistake of rushing through training or wanting quick results. For him, patience and consistent practice are the keys to real progress in martial arts.

    Weapons Training

    Weapons became one of Garrison’s specialties, and he developed a program covering ten different weapons. He sees weapons as both exciting for students and valuable for building focus, discipline, and long-term interest.

    Martial Arts Philosophy

    Garrison views martial arts as a balance of physical, mental, and spiritual growth. While he supports cross-training, he values keeping the practice practical and authentic rather than focused on flashy performances.

    Legacy and Contributions

    He hopes to be remembered for keeping martial arts pure and meaningful. For Garrison, rank should always be earned through skill and effort, not simply given, and his goal is to pass down that standard to future generations.

    Subscribe and hear to us on all of the major podcast providers, including Apple, Spotify, YouTube, iHeart, Amazon, and here on Substack. Ask Alexa to “Play the latest episode of Martial Arts Past and Present podcast.”



    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit martialartspastandpresent.substack.com
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    43 min
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