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Bruce Lee was the first inspiring martial artist in my life. In 1966, Kato of the Green Hornet series took my focus - I envisioned myself to be powerful like him. This man could completely defend himself in any situation. Not only was he lightning fast but he had an aura like no other man. I wanted to feel that power and experience myself.

In 1968, I attended Ricker College in Maine. There, I met a man named Joe Santoro. He befriended me and began to talk of karate and the importance of self-defense. I briefly worked with him on basic techniques, but was eventually sidetracked by women and play. I then transferred to UCONN, where I was reunited with another Joe. Joe Santilli was a black belt who studied under a Waterbury, CT master. Joe showed me the debilitating force of his in-close kicks and his bone breaking techniques. I again felt compelled to acquire this inner strength.

I was married with one child and had to work, so I was still unable to pursue my new dream. After college I worked at Sears as a salesman. I was young and at ease, but my confidence and ability were incomplete; I wanted to be a force to reckoned with. I had to find that sense of self. I went to my father and asked him if he knew anyone who could teach me how to defend myself.

My dad always believed in me and thought I threw away a career in pro baseball. He was probably right. He introduced me to Grandmaster Joseph Rossi, and I began to train. Grandmaster Rossi was a short, stocky man with a gruff voice; there was no easy way about him. I was excited to watch his black belts, and marveled as he destroyed anyone who came at him. I was enthusiastic and worked hard. I took constant punishment and regular beatings. Every hit I received made me less afraid and more confident. The black belts who taught me were my heroes. I wanted to be as good as they were, if not better. My training went on for two years while I took over my father's business and worked full time. I trained as my wife and I raised our two children and moved into our new house.

At this time, I was a purple belt and had competed in local competitions, although not always successful. I found my fear of losing got in my way. Then, a man named David La Bonte came into the school; he basically took me under his wing, teaching me what is now called the Rossi Kun Tao System. I spent three more years learning from Grandmaster Rossi and David, along with seven of the Rossi's Academy best practitioners. In 1980 I received my black belt from Grand Master Rossi along with all of his active black belts. It was a grueling test, painful but the happiest day of my life. From that day on my journey to teach compete and best one of the best in Martial Arts began.

Grand Master Rossi and Breaking Grand Master Rossi told incredible stories. But even more incredible was to actually see him destroy wood, coconuts, glass and anything else he wanted. Watching him was a real treat for everyone. To see him perform an exhibition of the use of his internal power was unreal. I know he knew he possessed something special, but I really don't know if he knew what it was. Many times I saw the hanging demo, where he would have a two inch boat rope tied around his neck. Then 4-6 people pulled on both ends, drawing the knot as tight as they could. He always paused and smiled to the crowd this went on. Another favorite performance was when he asked me to chop a log that rested on a bed of nails that were face down on his torso, while he layed atop a second bed of nails. Sometimes we didn't have a log so we went outside to find one. I sought to reach the level of mind control that Grand Master Rossi exhibited. I wanted to pursue my breaking career. I practiced breaking throughout my years of martial arts training, and I slowly built my confidence, one block at a time. My idea of the way to succeed was to try to use the fear of failing - even the fear of the unknown - to my advantage, as a kind of inner mentor. I wanted to possess the inner strength that enabled Grand Master Rossi to control the pain, to manage and channel the anger, and to destroy whatever was placed in front of me.

My real accomplishment came when I could summon that confidence and control. Only then was I able to successfully break a coconut, bricks or stacks of patio blocks. Now our demonstrations took on new meaning and new challenges, because we were the teachers. As a school, and as individuals, we never wanted to fail. We owed it to our teacher, Grand Master Rossi - his students were a step above the rest, because he was a step above the rest.

I began to succeed in competitions, and traveled every where I could to compete. As I succeeded more, my respect for Grand Master Rossi and the Rossi System grew. I acquired a deeper understanding of the value of my history in this training. I realized how special, deep and complete my experience was, and how other arts and instructors only skim the surface of what martial arts is all about.

~Ralph Bergamo