[KF25] Member Interview: Montana

[Patrick]

For our 25th birthday celebration, we're publishing an interview series with members from our community.

Member Profile

@Montana (View Profile)

Joined: April 18, 2007

Posts: 989

KarateForums.com Awards: Instructor and School Owners Contributor of the Year (2024)

Interview

Where are you from?

Born, raised, and lived in Montana for the first 55 years of my life, except for a stint in the US Army. Currently near Deer Park, Washington, and HATE IT HERE!

Why did you get started in the martial arts?

I started in January of 1975 because of the Bruce Lee movies mainly. I found it fascinating!

Why have you continued to practice them?

I've always been amazed at what you can do in the arts. How you can manipulate bodies.

Please briefly describe the styles of martial arts that you have taken.

I've only "taken" one style. Okinawan Shorin Ryu Matsumura Seito Karate. I have taken many hours of watching other systems in how they do things.

What is your grade or level?

Yandan (4th Dan Black Belt).

Do you teach?

I taught from Fall 1978 thru early 2005.

What are your first memories from training?

There were many, too numerous to list.

What has been the highlight of your training?

Meeting the head of our system, Sensei Kuda Yuichi, during his first trip to America, sponsored by my sensei, Denny Miller. This was in June 1978 when I tested for Shodan before Sensei Kuda.

What do you do when you're not training?

Work, work, and more work...

What do you do for a living?

Currently, I drive school sports teams wherever they have to go for competitions.

Who are or were your martial arts heroes?

I don't really have any martial arts heroes.

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

I'm retired for the most part. No longer actively teaching, but I do a little judging and help out a dojo or two now and then.

Do you remember how you found KarateForums.com? Why did you join?

It was so long ago, I really don't remember how I found it, or why I joined.

Why did you stay?

I found the discussions interesting and informative. I don't always agree with what is presented, and my big mouth has gotten me into trouble more than once on here, lol.

You've been a member since April 18, 2007. During this time, how has KarateForums.com changed in your eyes, if at all?

There are less people actively posting now than there were. I guess we've hammered it all out? lol.

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

There aren't many doing the same system on here. I read what they post, agree or disagree, sometimes add my own perspective. I can't really say anybody on here has influenced me.

Edited 16 hours ago by Patrick

[Patrick]

Thank you for sharing with us, @Montana, and for all of your contributions over the years.