Interview with Budoshin Instructor John Valceanu: Traditional Jujitsu in the Modern Landscape, Part II

John Valceanu teaches Budoshin Jujitsu while also training in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also has a background in hapkido, which he practiced for about a decade. Many aspects of the different arts he practices are mirror images to him, and finding common principles continues to motivate him to train. Today, Valceanu took some time … Continue reading Interview with Budoshin Instructor John Valceanu: Traditional Jujitsu in the Modern Landscape, Part II

Interview with Budoshin Instructor John Valceanu: Traditional Jujitsu in the Modern Landscape, Part I

John Valceanu teaches Budoshin Jujitsu while also training in judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. He also has a background in hapkido, which he practiced for about a decade. Many aspects of the different arts he practices are mirror images to him, and finding common principles continues to motivate him to train. Today, Valceanu took some time … Continue reading Interview with Budoshin Instructor John Valceanu: Traditional Jujitsu in the Modern Landscape, Part I

Inside Wei Son Do: The Cutting-Edge Martial Art Taking the World by Storm! by Jessie King

John Morgart Jr. is a rising name in the martial arts world – a Tang Soo Do master turned innovator who created his own fighting style known as Wei Son Do. Hailing from western Pennsylvania, Morgart’s path in martial arts has been marked by early dedication, competitive success, and a drive to blend tradition with … Continue reading Inside Wei Son Do: The Cutting-Edge Martial Art Taking the World by Storm! by Jessie King

Interview with Akayama Ryu Jujutsu Headmaster Doug Bedsaul: History, Application, and Future

Doug Bedsaul found Akayama-Ryu Jujutsu after training in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Judo. In 2024, Bedsaul assumed the mantle of Headmaster with the passing of Mark Barlow. Today, Bedsaul took some time to discuss his vision for expanding the reach of Akayama-Ryu, the importance of quality instruction, and how the system continues to evolve through rigorous … Continue reading Interview with Akayama Ryu Jujutsu Headmaster Doug Bedsaul: History, Application, and Future

Interview with Longtime Kokikai Aikidoka Matt Shomo: Kokikai and Shuji Maruyama’s Legacy

With him and his brother being interested in Steven Seagal films, Matt Shomo joined the Penn State University Aikido Club shortly after his brother. There he practiced diligently until meeting Shuji Maruyama at a Winter Camp. After a surprising experience with Kokikai Aikido’s founder, Shomo had more zeal to train. Today, Shomo took some time … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Kokikai Aikidoka Matt Shomo: Kokikai and Shuji Maruyama’s Legacy

Interview with Tokoshi Kempo Founder RD Lawrence: Find the Similarities

RD Lawrence's first introduction to the martial arts was through a retired Second World War veteran who taught a combination of Japanese jujutsu and kempo, and magic. Additionally, Lawrence moved from place to place, following his father’s pastoral duties, and experienced many different martial arts along the way. While in Ohio, he learned a police-oriented … Continue reading Interview with Tokoshi Kempo Founder RD Lawrence: Find the Similarities

Interview with Lifetime Martial Artist Chris Dewey: The Path to Akayama-ryu

Chris Dewey began studying judo under Roy Inman at his Fairholm Judo Club. He later relocated to Canada to continue his training there while pursuing a doctorate degree. Upon moving to the United States in 1984, he took up taekwondo and hapkido until he found another judo club. During that time, he had the opportunity … Continue reading Interview with Lifetime Martial Artist Chris Dewey: The Path to Akayama-ryu

Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part II

Eric Pearson first stared into the window at the practicing aikidoka during his smoke break at a local pizza shop, convincing himself that his kung fu skills would take out all of them. Then something inspired him to walk in for practice, and he never looked back. He began training under Russell Waddell and Chuck … Continue reading Interview with Longtime Daito-ryu Practitioner Eric Pearson: Finding the Aiki in Everything, Part II

Interview with Mokuren Dojo Founder Patrick Parker: Judo, Aikido, and Everything Else

1986 started Patrick Parker into the martial arts world with taekwondo, switching to karate while in college. At that time, he came across some people “holding hands and dancing around,” training aikido. After investigating and experiencing one class, Parker was hooked, beginning his journey in aikido, judo, and jodo. Following the Karl Geis lineage of … Continue reading Interview with Mokuren Dojo Founder Patrick Parker: Judo, Aikido, and Everything Else

Interview with Baer Swords School Baer Kenneys: Between Martial and Sport

Baer Kenney began his fencing career in high school with Olympic Fencing. That changed to LARPing with his children, then Society for Creative Anachronism, Association of Renaissance Martial Arts, and then Historical European Martial Arts. In that time, he has trained karate, taekwondo, and hapkido, and established his school, Baer Swords School of Western Martial … Continue reading Interview with Baer Swords School Baer Kenneys: Between Martial and Sport