[KF25] Member Interview: bushido_man96

[Patrick]

For our 25th birthday celebration, we're publishing an interview series with members from our community. We did this back in 2013, and bushido_man96 was one of the members that participated. 

Member Profile

@bushido_man96 (View Profile)

KarateForums.com Sensei

Joined: March 31, 2006

Posts: 31,212

KarateForums.com Awards: Community Spirit Award (2025, 2024, 2022, 2012, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006), Staff Member of the Year (2025, 2024, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2016, 2009, 2007, 2006), Health and Fitness Contributor of the Year (2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2014, 2013), and Article of the Year (2014, 2007)

Interview

Where has your martial arts journey taken you, since November 2013?

Since 2013, I’ve hit several milestones. I tested for and passed for 4th dan in December 2013. In December 2024, about 11 years later, I tested for and passed my 5th dan. During that time, the Taekwondo school where I assist with teaching changed hands. I also went back to an Aikido dojo where my good friend is the sensei and have been attending regular classes and attaining rank. Incidentally, my hiatus from Aikido also lasted that 11 years. I’ve recently started attending regular Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes. In addition, I’ve had some opportunities to cross-train.

What is your grade or level now?

Taekwondo: 5th dan. Aikido: 5th Kyu. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: White belt. Combat Hapkido: 4th Gup, but no longer active.

When I asked you the highlight of your training back in 2013, you mentioned an ATA instructor certification camp, instructor seminars with Grandmaster Sun Yi, attending a G.R.A.C.I.E. course taught by Royce Gracie, and connecting in-person with @sensei8.  Do you have any new highlights to add?

I’ve attended several different defensive tactics courses for work and have been building a curriculum for the department I work for. I was excited to achieve the rank of 5th dan in Taekwondo, which I had put off for far too long. I also helped build the curriculum for a women’s self-defense seminar that our Taekwondo school holds every year, and I assist with teaching it as well.

My favorite highlight, however, would have to be the cross-training seminars that I’ve been able to be a part of in a teaching capacity over the past few years. In the first cross-training weekend that we had, the seminar consisted of sessions taught by three different Taekwondo instructors (myself, the owner of our school, and another instructor from Colorado Springs, Colrado), two senseis from a Shorin Ryu Karate dojo, my Aikido sensei, my former Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu coach, and my former defensive tactics head coach from our local university.

Each instructor was able to present material pertinent to their particular styles and journeys, and it was open to the students of each of the schools, as well. I immensely enjoyed teaching and training in these seminars. I learned a lot, and the best part is that all of the instructors get to sit around and nerd out about martial arts together. Each time we teach, it challenges me to come up with something I feel good about presenting to the group. The last few times we were short a few of these instructors but, by and large, we have a consistent group that meets to cross-train at least a few times a year.

Where do you see yourself going in your martial arts journey in the next few years?

Over the course of the next few years, I plan to continue to consistently train in Taekwondo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, with a focus on continuing to attain rank in Aikido and hopefully Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

How would you sum up the last 13 years of your life?

Boy time flies! Over the past 13 years, I’ve had two children graduate high school and enter college, my youngest started high school, and I’ve become a grandfather three times over. I’ve also had my 20-year work anniversary with the sheriff’s office, along with my 21st wedding anniversary. Chasing kids’ sports and activities, chasing martial arts goals, and life in general has gotten busy! My wife has also pursued new goals in her professional life and has recently attained another degree and started attending graduate school. Things are picking up!

Why are you still visiting KarateForums.com?

I continue to visit KarateForums.com because it is the constant in my martial arts life. My work schedule throws my training into flux throughout the year, but KarateForums.com is always there for me to go to, even when I can’t train. The community here is supportive and encouraging and I always enjoy dropping in and reading posts, offering some comments when I can, and learning things from the members here. Being a part of KarateForums.com has become a part of my martial arts life. It also keeps me accountable to my own training. If I’ve been lazy, reading posts on training logs or posts that are questions about training, they’ll give me the kick in the pants that I need to get off my butt and get back to work.

What’s changed in the community over the last 13 years?

Traffic has ebbed and flowed and members come and go (and some come back again). I really think traffic is back on the rise now. The site migration has been a most welcome improvement (I was nervous about the change at first; you know, change and all…). Some things in the forums have been consolidated and renamed, but overall, the experience is still the same. The same quality of community exists here.

What do you think it says about the community that we are doing this again, so many years later?

It speaks to the quality of the members, the moderators, and the culture that has been developed here. Like training mandates in so many martial arts (but often fails to exemplify when it comes to trying to discuss them), KarateForums.com is built upon respect, humility, perseverance, self-control, and indomitable spirit. It honestly goes back to the vision that you, @Patrick, founded the community on; a place where any stylist with any amount of experience could come and express their thoughts, ideas, or questions, in an environment that encourages discussion instead of conflict. There’s no chest pounding, there’s no condescension. The community has been built on respect and courtesy, and it continues to thrive because the members here realize that so much more can be learned and achieved from each other by interacting in this way.

When we spoke back in 2013, you were a Sensei, and you are still one today. Why have you remained committed to the community in this way?

The simple answer is because I love it. I enjoy the community and being an ambassador for the community. When I found this site, I really fell in love with it and with the interactions in the forums. When I was asked to join the moderation team, I learned more of how and why this community is so great, and being able to continue to foster the culture here and being able to work to maintain such a great community is very rewarding.

I’d like to end by repeating the last three questions I asked you previously, as I think these answers can change over time – or not.  But they are worth asking for the sake of identifying what makes this community so special.

How, if at all, have you used KarateForums.com in your classes or training?

This is kind of the same answer as last time. I really try to approach my training in different ways depending on the day. It’s affected by conversations I’ve had here at KarateForums.com. Someone might mention something in a post about an approach to a technique, or about a strategy or nuance of sparring, and I’ll think about it and take it into class with me and see if I can use it or try it and see how it works with what I’m doing that particular class. Someone might make a point about something in class, and I’ll compare and contrast that with how someone here might have related to it. It helps me to think of the martial arts on a broader level as a whole and helps me to think outside of my training boxes.

Are there any members here who have had a particular influence or impact on you?

There are so many! Last time I mentioned sensei8, @DWx, @tallgeese, and @ps1, and there were so many more that I interacted with quite a bit that have been gone for some time. Since that time, members like @Wastelander, @aurik, @Spartacus Maximus, @DarthPenguin, and @Wado Heretic have all been influential to me. I know there have been more, and I apologize for leaving anyone out! I’d like to list the entire roster!

Can you share a memorable moment within the community where you received great advise or an experience that really affected you and your martial arts journey?

Aside from my previous response, it’s very difficult to recall one particular moment over any others. The support that I’ve received from the community members always go with me when I teach a class, or attempt a grading, or attend a seminar, or teach a seminar. Just knowing I can come back to KarateForums.com after a class or other event and share my thoughts and experiences here affects my martial arts journey.

Edited 2 hours ago by Patrick

[Patrick]

Thank you for the kind words, Brian (@bushido_man96). It's very touching to read, not just what you said about me, but especially how deeply the community has impacted you over the last 20+(!) years. It's such a beautiful thing. In turn, you have played an important role in making this place as special as it is and are one of KarateForums.com's greatest champions. Not in the "I won a tournament" martial arts sense, but in the personal sense, as an unselfish, thoughtful supporter of what this community can be at its very best. I am grateful for all of your efforts on staff, for your contributions here, and for your friendship.

[sensei8]

You’re the foremost proponent advocate here at KF for its vision and its members. I’m proud to call you my dearest friend. 

Congrats for you earning your 5th Dan in TKD; that speaks volumes towards your potentiality and dedication about your MA journey.

Your cross training in the MA adds to the flavor of what you can add on the floor for not just yourself, but for your students, your fellow LEO’s, and KF members. I’ve learned so much from you over the many years in and out of the MA.

We’ve stood shoulder to shoulder here as KF Sensei’s, of which, you’re mentoring me has made me a far better person. Thank you for seeing I’ve still value on and off the floor.

Thank you for your interview, Brian; I thoroughly enjoyed it.