What happens when a seven-year-old boy learns martial arts to protect his mother from domestic violence? Mike Hess, a 10th Dan karate instructor and retired police officer with 35 years of law enforcement experience, shares his remarkable journey from childhood trauma to becoming a respected martial arts teacher. (He’s been running his own school since earning his black belt in 1975.)Throughout this conversation, Mike emphasizes that martial arts teaches more than just fighting, it builds confidence, self-discipline, and the wisdom to walk away from conflict. He discusses the importance of mastering fundamentals before rushing toward belt promotions, the importance of mastering fundamentals before advancing. His philosophy extends beyond the dojo: he once talked down a suicidal man holding a shotgun by fabricating an elaborate story about walking fish, demonstrating that verbal de-escalation often trumps physical techniques.Mike integrates Christian faith into his training program, leading prayer before and after classes at his schools in South Carolina. He recounts a miraculous healing story involving a student with brain cancer. Mike represents a connection to traditional martial arts in an era he critiques as increasingly watered down by “McDojo” schools focused on participation trophies rather than authentic discipline.Why do modern tournaments feature excessive screaming and flimsy weapons instead of controlled, disciplined technique?Discover Mike’s insights on realistic training, the overuse of the title “master,” and that embarrassing brown belt test incident that ended up on YouTube.

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Learn more about the podcast at MartialArtsPastAndPresent.comAnd you can even ask Alexa and Siri to “Play the latest episode of Martial Arts Past and Present.”

From Humble Beginnings to Mastery: Master Angel Lee on Resilience and CharacterStarting with just two years old, Master Angel Lee, a sixth dan martial artist, began a journey that would take him from childhood training under his gung fu master father to facing paralysis and ultimately building a multimillion-dollar business. What happens when someone refuses to let a devastating car accident define their future?Master Lee shares how his American-born father and Chinese-Korean mother brought him to the States chasing the American dream. His father, despite his large stature, was a dedicated kung fu master who instilled discipline from the earliest age. Most kids weren’t doing daily martial arts training before breakfast. Through Bruce Lee’s philosophies, he embraced cross-training across six different black belt styles, learning that true mastery comes from adapting like water—a lesson forged through overcoming poverty and racist name-calling.The most profound test came after a severe car accident left him paralyzed, his weight dropping from 180 to 92 pounds. Doctors said he’d never walk again. Drawing from martial arts principles, he rejected that future and spent four years relearning how to walk and speak. His mother’s wisdom became his anchor: when facing challenges, choose to get better rather than get bitter.Today, Master Lee applies these same principles to his work with Super Patch, a company offering drug-free health solutions backed by clinical studies. From homelessness to success, his story proves that perspective and gratitude—practiced as lifelong arts—can transform impossible obstacles into opportunities for growth.Listen to hear how martial arts wisdom transcends the dojo and shapes every aspect of life.Make sure you’ve subscribed to be notified as soon as the next episode comes out.

If you enjoy what you hear, we welcome your support at Patreon.com/MartialArtsPastandPresentAnd you can always ask Siri or Alexa to “Play the latest episode of Martial Arts Past and Present”Thanks for joining me!Sensei Ed Brizz

If you missed Part 1 of Bill’s Birthday Bash interviews, you can find it here…

Bill "Superfoot" Wallace's 80th Birthday Bash - Part 1

The interviews continue with more great stories about how these martial artists got started along with when and how Bill became a truly special part of their lives.

As a recap, Friday’s events included testing and a celebrity meet-and-greet. Saturday started off with Bill leading a morning stretching session followed by several seminars hosted by great martial artists. The day concluded with a wonderful dinner celebrating the great Bill Wallace.

In this second part, we continue hear more personal stories from more martial artists about when they started in the martial arts and when they met Bill.

You’ll hear from Michael Jai White, Jim Ginter, Joe Corely, Dan Pinkowski, and a bunch of others.

We conclude with coverage of the Birthday Bash Dinner, where no ice cream is safe from Bill. Heartwarming and sometimes hilarious stories are shared from many of the people we interviewed along with long-distant birthday wishes from those who couldn’t be there in person.

And you really have to stick around for Bill’s rendition of “California Dreamin’”.

Make sure you’ve subscribed to be notified as soon as the next episode comes out.

And you can always ask Siri or Alexa to “Play the latest episode of Martial Arts Past and Present”

If you enjoy what you hear, we welcome your support at patreon.com/MartialArtsPastandPresent

Thanks for joining me!Sensei Ed Brizz