A Brief History of Martial Arts in the Bay Area, with Ron Esteller

The Importance of Principles, Virtues, and Community at One Tribe Martial Arts Academy, with Mike Lee

In the famous book, The Hero’s Journey, it talks about somebody being unprepared, facing a challenge, having to train, and then coming back home and realizing it is home, with a new set of eyes. That’s a pretty common theme in martial arts, and that’s no exception with today’s guest, Mike Lee. Mike Lee teaches Tat Wong Kung Fu and has been training in it since 13. He’s even gone on to compete nationally and internationally and now has his own martial arts school, One Tribe Martial Arts Academy. At Mike’s school, they teach a wide range of students — their youngest being three years old, and their oldest being 82! They run seven days a week with unlimited classes and teach traditional Kung Fu and Chinese kickboxing, as well as lion dancing. In today’s episode, Mike talks about his school; how and why he originally got into the martial arts; the principles of the style he teaches; the important virtues at his school; how martial arts has impacted him, personally and professionally; and his ideas around building a sense of community, both in class and through social media. Key Takeaways: [:45] About today’s guest, Mike Lee. [1:30] Wade welcomes Mike to the podcast. [1:54] How and why Mike first got into martial arts. [3:28] Mike talks about the process of opening up his own martial arts school. [5:11] How teaching martial arts has been different than training in it. [6:35] The principles of Mike’s style, Tat Wong Kung Fu. [7:52] About Mike’s school, the range of students they teach, and the classes offered. [10:15] How martial arts has changed Mike as a person. [11:41] How martial arts has impacted Mike’s personal life. [14:47] How Mike has seen Kung Fu change and where he sees it headed in the future. [18:59] Mike talks about building a sense of community both in class and through social media. [21:18] Mike’s final notes about his school and his offer to listeners. Mentioned in this Episode: The Hero's Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work (The Collected Works of Joseph Campbell), by Joseph Campbell [https://www.amazon.com/dp/1608681890/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_NXalCbXE6M6TE] Rory Miller [http://chirontraining.com/] Rory Miller BAMA episode [https://bamap.libsyn.com/rory-miller-versatile-martial-artist-corrections-officer-and-prolific-writer] One Tribe Martial Arts Academy [https://www.onetribemartialarts.com/] Arjun Dinghra [http://arjundhingra.com/] Arjun Dinghra BAMA episode [https://bamap.libsyn.com/arjun-dhingra-balancing-business-and-taekwondo]

Juan Zazueta on Systema and Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu

In this week’s episode, Wade is interviewing Juan Zazueta, who has an interesting background in both his practicing of martial arts and his career in teaching martial arts. He teaches two unique martial arts; a Russian styled called Systema and an Asian style called Budo Taijutsu. Juan started practicing martial arts at 18 (now 36) and has been training in Bujinkan since 2000 and Systema since 2005. Currently, he works as an instructor in these styles, teaching at San Francisco Systema and Bujinkan San Francisco Dojo. In today’s episode, Juan explains the two different styles, how he was originally introduced to them, how they have impacted his life, how he sees both styles progressing in the future, and how he balances his personal life and martial arts. Key Takeaways: [:43] About today’s guest, Juan Zazueta. [1:18] How Juan got started in the martial arts. [3:30] How Juan got introduced to Systema, the Russian martial arts. [5:14] Juan’s transition from learning and training to teaching. [6:56] How martial arts has impacted Juan’s life outside of the dojo. [8:41] Where Juan sees Systema and Bujinkan Budo Taijutsu progressing in the future (especially in the Bay Area). [12:33] Why Juan thinks Systema may not be as popular as other martial arts in the Bay Area. [13:55] Juan talks about a few of his favorite events and stories during his martial arts career. [20:55] The vastly different body types and people that show up to Systema. [26:00] Juan talks about how he balances his personal life and relationship with his wife and martial arts. [27:17] Does Juan have a favorite UFC pairing? [27:47] Juan’s parting thoughts on this week’s Bay Area Martial Arts Podcast. [29:33] Where to find Juan and the dojos he works at. Mentioned in this Episode: Bujinkan San Francisco Dojo [http://bujinkansf.com/] San Francisco Systema [http://www.sanfranciscosystema.com/] Bay Area Martial Arts Podcast episode: Arjun Dhingra: Balancing Business and Taekwondo [https://bamap.libsyn.com/arjun-dhingra-balancing-business-and-taekwondo] Systema Manual, by Konstantin Komarov [https://www.amazon.com/Systema-Manual-Konstantin-Komarov/dp/0978104919]

A Brief History of Martial Arts in the Bay Area, with Ron Esteller

It is often said that an expert is someone who has made every possible mistake in a given level of study. Wade’s next guest has been studying martial arts for over 51 years — and he may not have made every possible mistake, but he’s probably pretty close (and is definitely consider an expert in his field!) He also, perhaps, has one of the longest lineages of martial arts history out of all the guests Wade has interviewed thus far. Ron Esteller is the owner and Head Instructor of Esteller Martial Arts in San Leandro, California. He taught his first class in 1971 and opened up his school in 1984. His love for teaching is powerful and his knowledge about martial arts in the Bay Area is vast. He was teaching before the era of Bruce Lee and the Karate Kid were popularized in the States. In today’s episode, he gives a brief history of what martial arts was originally like when it came to the Bay Area. He also tells the stories of how he originally got into martial arts and how his love for it all began, his family’s background in martial arts, how martial arts has impacted his life, and how he has seen it change throughout the years he’s been studying and teaching. Key Takeaways: [:43] About today’s guest, Ron Esteller. [1:30] Wade welcomes Ron to the podcast. [1:43] Ron introduces his school, Esteller Martial Arts. [2:04] What originally got Ron into martial arts. [2:50] What martial arts was like in the Bay Area, pre-Bruce Lee. [4:10] Ron explains who Charles Gaylord was. [5:09] Ron’s history with teaching martial arts. [7:36] Why Ron continues to love teaching so much. [9:06] How Ron balances his relationship and martial arts. [10:37] Ron’s wife’s background in martial arts. [11:10] Ron’s kids’ background in martial arts. [15:04] The funny story of how Ron’s daughter and her husband met. [16:50] How martial arts has impacted Ron personally and professionally. [19:19] How Ron has seen martial arts change over the years and how he sees it developing in the future. [27:07] Where to learn more about Ron’s school online. [27:35] Who would be Ron’s favorite UFC matchup? Mentioned in this Episode: Esteller Martial Arts [http://estellermma.com/] Charles Gaylord [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Gaylord]

Diabo Martial Arts, the Family-Run Tae Kwon Do Dojang

In today’s episode, your host, Wade Pitts, interviews Scott Frazer of Yu’s Martial Arts (changing to Diablo Martial Arts in 2019) in Lafayette, California. His family took over the school that had originally opened back in 1974. They focus on teaching Tae Kwon Do to the youth demographic but also serve adults and teenagers. Scott explains how the Dojang originally came to be, how he and his family became involved (ultimately taking it over), about his financial career prior to his “third round” of retirement, how and when he got his original start in martial arts, how he changed the dynamic of the school after taking it over with his family, his pieces of advice for other studio owners, and how he sees Tae Kwon Do evolving in the future. Key Takeaways: [:45] About today’s guest, Scott Frazer. [1:29] Wade welcomes Scott to the podcast. [1:34] How Yu’s Martial Arts school started and how Scott got involved. [2:26] Scott’s background in finance prior to his “third round” of retirement. [4:03] How and when Scott got his start in martial arts. [5:41] Scott talks about his perspective on being “further along.” [7:52] How Scott shifted the dynamic of the school and his experience engaging with the younger demographic. [12:00] How martial arts had changed Scott personally. [15:08] How Scott sees Tae Kwon Do progressing in the future. [19:37] Where and how to learn more about Scott’s school. [22:35] Scott talks about the different demographics his school serves. [24:19] Scott’s pieces of advice for studio owners. Mentioned in this Episode: Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones, by James Clear [https://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1544586545&sr=8-1&keywords=james+clear] Scott Frazer [https://www.yusmartialarts.com/our-instructors.html] Diablo Martial Arts [https://www.yusmartialarts.com/index.html]

Matt Lucas on Being a Lead Stuntman and Teaching Yama Series Yoga

If your dad is a Navy Seal, chances are you’re going to learn how to defend yourself pretty quick — at least that was the case for today’s guest, Matt Lucas. Early on, his dad got him into martial arts as a way to practice discipline and personal responsibility. Since then, he has tried a multitude of styles out, settling on a rather unique one for the premise of his current school (The Open Matt), called: Yama Series Yoga. On top of that, Matt is also a Lead Stuntman for the show, Into the Badlands, on AMC — a show about a mighty warrior and a young boy searching for enlightenment in a ruthless territory controlled by feudal barons. Matt is not shy, nor short on opinions. You’ll definitely want to tune into today’s episode to hear his take on teaching in the martial arts; martial arts systems and the hierarchy of the black belt; the different ways men and women compete; the art of self-defense; how martial arts has changed in the last 20 years; why he loves teaching martial arts; and what we, as martial artists, should all strive for. Key Takeaways: [:45] About today’s guest, Matt Lucas. [1:31] Wade welcomes Matt to the podcast. [1:47] How Matt got involved in Into the Badlands. [3:56] How Matt originally got into martial arts. [7:28] Beyond Judo, what else has Matt practiced? What does he practice now? [12:02] About Matt’s current school, The Open Matt, and his teaching career. [14:17] Matt’s thoughts on martial arts systems, the different ways men and women physically compete, and the art of self-defense. [20:22] How has Matt seen martial arts change in the last 20 years? [24:17] The difference between MMA schools and traditional martial arts, why Matt absolutely loves teaching martial arts, and his thoughts on the hierarchy of the black belt. [28:02] Matt speaks about why you shouldn’t be competing with those much younger than you. [28:46] The difference between rites of passage between Matt’s experience (growing up in the south) and the Bay Area. [31:00] Matt speaks on the role of teaching in the martial arts. [32:50] What Matt believes we, as martial artists, should all strive for. [35:10] Matt tells a story of a discovery he made from the time when he was filming Into the Badlands. [37:98] What Matt teaches at his school. [39:45] Where to learn more about Matt and his school online! Mentioned in this Episode: The Open Matt [https://themattlucas.com/the-open-matt/] Into the Badlands [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3865236/] Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0190332/?ref_=nv_sr_1] TheMattLucas.com [https://themattlucas.com/] “Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu’s Dirty Dozen, David Meyer” [https://bamap.libsyn.com/brazilian-jiu-jitsus-dirty-dozen-david-meyer] (BAMA Episode)