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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 a 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.
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