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Another one for the books

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Words do no justice, yet here are a few that describe what transpired between the hours of 2:00 pm and 8:30 pm Sunday August 11, 2019 and the emotions that came with. We begin with a run…a bit more than two miles to warm up, and the day was nice. Afterwards more than an hour of intensive PT then material for hours on end. All of it. By the time we get to fight, no one knows which end is up. Minds are numb. Hearts and heads are pounding. For the hundredth time each of the candidates asks themselves why. Why am I doing this? When will it end?

The pain and the exhaustion is fleeting in the grand scheme of things, the anguish of your failures are temporary and most importantly; they are necessary. They are the building blocks of our character, that which defines us. The bruises and the blood are a badge of honor. A reminder that you are not only human and fallible, but you are resilient. You are a survivor. You are:

Warriors….every one.

There are only a few people in this world who can dedicate themselves to what we do. To the lifestyle that we choose. To the brotherhood /sisterhood that we embrace. A family that sweats and bleeds for and with each other. And there are even less people who will be able to understand why we do what we do day in and day out. Until they need us.

Because the warrior’s purpose in life, although we immerse ourselves in defending against the threat of violence, is to instill and keep peace. Peace within our hearts, peace within our minds, peace in our daily interactions. But if war comes our way, and our inner and outer peace cannot quell the rising tide;

We shall be prepared.


It is my honor to be your guide on this journey. It is our mission to continue to build on the foundation of integrity and honor, failure and success, honesty and the removal of ego, confidence, discipline, work ethic, and community. All these things that are needed for success, but are being forgotten by so many. Spread the Kempo love.

With great pleasure and the utmost pride and honor, on this day; Sunday August 11, 2019, I have gladly promoted the following warriors to the rank of Shodan…the first step.


Shodan Michael Gagliardi – Time in training 10 Years, 1 month

Shodan Anne Cavanaugh – Time in training 10 Years

Shodan Alex Mulhall – Time in training 10 Years, 8 months

Shodan Bradley Altman – Time in training 12 Years, 4 months

Shodan Abhinav Yadav – Time in training 6 Years, 11 months

Honor your rank, associates, fellow rank holding brothers and sisters, as well as yourself. May your rank forever uphold the standards set forth by Cutting Edge Kempo Karate as we continue to strive for unity and proficiency in the arts.

A special thank you to Grandmaster Rich Fescina for proctoring our exam, without you, we would not be doing what we are doing, at the level you have always demanded. We will never fold to the ideology that some things are ‘just too hard’ for the people of today. We will always uphold the standards and practices that you demanded of me. If necessary we will be the last bastion of hope in a society that seems to be losing it’s way.

We will keep the flame alive.

So here we are. Another group of dedicated brothers and sisters. Another generation of hope. Another bunch of bumps and bruises and broken bodies. Another band of folks who have earned something that not everyone can. Another pile of bodies that need to;

Get back on the mat.

Events, School Pictures and Videos, Sensei's Musings

Congratulations Gentlemen

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Our second Black Belt test as Cutting Edge Kempo couldn’t have gone much better.

A true test.

These three young men deserve all the accolades they worked so very hard for. Three people. Five hours of non stop movement. A two mile run. Every technique in the system. Right handed, left handed, Mushin (no mind), grappling, weapon defense, sparring and Kata…we did it all. Each and every one of these young men put their all into this exam, as well they should. Nothing short of one hundred percent would have been acceptable, and each had their moment to shine as they excelled at their strongest attributes and powered through to overcome their weakest. These three men emerged victorious, and should be proud of their dedication.

Warriors. Every one.

Words do no justice in explaining how very proud I am to hold the honor of being your instructor and brother in the arts. Each and every one of you have survived, thrived, and will continue to excel, not only on the mat, but in the real world as well. Your respect for the arts and others, the discipline you have shown, and the indomitable spirit that it takes to reach this level of training with us is commendable, especially in a world where our art has been brutalized by others through the adoption of the “It’s just too hard” mentality of society today. We stand strong in the face of adversity. We will be the last bastion of real world life lessons. We will never fold to those that would take the easy road, for that is not how real life works. Reality is hard. Life is full of loss and failure. What defines you is how you learn from those losses and failures. How you overcome and grow.

How you RISE.

Let it be known, I have proudly promoted the following people in the art of Kempo on November 12, 2017;

Congratulations to:

Shodan Andrew Gansrow (1st degree)- Time in training = 8 Years

Nidan Peter Poliey (2nd degree)- Time in training = 20 Years!!! – Time from Shodan to Nidan = 2.5 Years (Time from candidate to Shodan 11 YEARS! Way to stick it out sir!)

Nidan Joseph Nuzzi (2nd degree) – Time in training = 11 Years – Time from Shodan to Nidan = 2 Years

When you see them, give them a big hug and congratulate your brothers, there is no doubt they earned it. I could not have asked for more out of you three.

A special thank you to Sandan Josh and Sandan Matt for helping me to proctor this exam, your input was invaluable. And now you all know the routine. Heal your bodies, get a day’s rest and then…

Get back on the mat.

School Pictures and Videos, Sensei's Musings

The way of the warrior

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Our first Black Belt test as Cutting Edge Kempo has come and gone, and I could not be prouder of everyone who did their part on Sunday November 15, 2015. Through all the muscle failure, cramping bodies, mental stress and hours upon hours of physical and mental pressure and non stop movement, you all emerged victorious. Even our one student who could not complete her test due to an unforeseen injury early on in the test should hold her head up high knowing even the few short hours she spent with us was tougher than what most people she knows could endure, and there will be another time for her, and she will rise to the occasion and perform as I know she can. I can not express how proud and elated I was when she walked through the door at the end of the exam to be a part of the ceremony for her brothers and sisters in the art. That is one of the hallmarks of the warriors we train to become.

Our panel of Black Belts did a fine job both judging and guiding the students through their experience, helping them along the way to better themselves and offering their knowledge freely to enhance everyone’s martial skill. It is good to have panel members who do not know the capability of each student, as we get a fresh perspective on areas that may need improvement as well as strong points for each individual. Thank you Grandmaster Fescina, Sensei Caracciola and Sandan Goldberg for joining me and my students for the six hours plus that was our first test.

CEK First Black Belt test