Michael is currently a 1st degree Black Belt. Michael started his training in 1996 with Professional Martial Arts at the age of six, under the instruction of Ruben West and Kevin Wilson. Michael has since spent six years away from PMA at the University of Kansas, where he continues his practice and completed a Master's degree in Social Work. Michael continues his study of Okinawan Karate to this day.
Michael has been a practitioner with the University of Kansas' Tae Kwon Do student organization, has been a practitioner of Capoeira with of Grupo Axe and Berimbazu from Kansas City, KS, and has instructed an Extreme Martial Arts Class at Professional Martial Arts. "I have a passionate interest for the martial arts of the world, and I look to them to better enhance my practice of Okinawan Karate."
Through his training and education around various martial arts, Michael has learned that martial arts is much more than a way to keep yourself physically fit and safe. The martial arts are a life style, and it is not something that that can be completely mastered in a life time. He believes that there is much more to our training as a martial artist then the martial arts techniques we learn. Concepts such as respect for others, and growth and care for one's body and mind are just as important as our martial arts technique.
Looking forward to the future, Michael has plans of opening his own martial arts studio where he can invite practitioners of other disciplines to share their knowledge with students. Michael's martial arts studio will also be paying special attention to those youth and adolescent practitioners who come from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, by working a martial arts program that includes mentorship, and connections with social and familiar supports, to help these children enhance their academic performance, physical aptitude, and build positive personal strengths.
