SHOTOKAN LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE
STUNNING STORIES OF STUDENT SUCCESS
“When I signed up for karate I didn’t expect to use the things that I have learned in my everyday life. I expected to get a good workout and learn some new fighting techniques. That didn’t seem to be the case I learned a lot from what kind of person I was to the person that I have become this class wasn’t just about learning some cool fighting moves but how to become the best you can be. I also liked how Sensei showed us how to clear our head from everything and just focus on what we were doing. People would always tell me to clear my head but they didn’t show me how and now that I know how it is much easier to focus on karate. When you clear your head you just think about what you’re going to do and nothing else so the thoughts are not in my head anymore.
When I told my family and friends that I was taking karate they kind of were like why and what do you think you’re going to gain from it. I told them that I just wanted to touch up my fighting skills. When I told them about the book “Perfection of Character” that you had us get they wondered why you have to read in a karate class. When I started reading the book I really got into it because it’s a book on life and how to change into a better person. Now that I have read the book my friends and family can see that I am changing into a better person they say that I look more relaxed but ready for anything to happen whether it is good or bad. I think my brother has seen most of the improvement in me because I demonstrate to him how to do moves from karate and he now wants to take a karate class and so do some of my friends as well. For my story it was when my brother needed help clearing his head about something and I showed him what we did in class. I told him not to think about anything and just focus so that’s what he did and it worked. So now he does that when he can’t think straight.”
Anonymous, 19 year-old, SRJC Student
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“What I like best is just being here, making friends and training hard to better myself and to better others around me. The best part is everything.”
Luther Flowers, student, age 13
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"I've talked to other instructors and none of them sat down and talked to me about the things that needed to be said the way you did. I felt very comfortable with your presentation and with you being my son's instructor. What you are doing is very positive and if there is any way I can help I will."
Arise Campbell, mom
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“My son, Jared, trained with you about 25 years ago when he was 8 years old. We enrolled him in your school because he was being bullied at school. He left feeling much more confident and went on to become a physician. He now practices medicine in Portland Oregon. We are very grateful for what you did.”
Janice Shipley, mom
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"Life after high school is very difficult for a person that has to go all on his own. I was having such a difficult time, especially paying for expenses like school, rent, gas, among many other things. I tried to stay in college, but life was very difficult; I went through three semesters trying and I ended up dropping out at the end. I decided to give myself one last chance towards a full education, and hopefully transfer to a four-year university. The biggest challenge during this semester was having a class at 7:30 AM two times a week, not only because of the time it started, but also because I live in northern Petaluma and had to pick up my friend on the way.
After attending the first classes I began to notice that karate was offering more than self defense; it was offering lessons on discipline, responsibility, organization, self confidence, etc. I began to notice that some things began to change in my life; my concentration on a general basis improved, my responsibility to go to my classes improved, and my motivation also improved. Even though getting to class on time was a challenge, I was able to get to class almost every day and give the best of me. As the semester went by I began to notice that something was different in the way school was going for me; since I was attending all classes I was doing good. I came to the conclusion that karate class was making me a more responsible person, a better person in school. I am now very proud to say that this is the first semester that I will complete at Santa Rosa Junior College. I am not getting a 4.0 GPA but am passing the classes. I am glad to have taken that karate class. It will be my pleasure to keep adding all the knowledge that karate offers. Karate is making me a better person."
Gabriela Alfaro, student
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“It’s amazing how much my daughter has changed since I enrolled her at Shotokan Karate Leadership School. She now comes to me and asks, “What can I do to help?” After I started training as well a couple of months ago now she doesn’t want to hide in her room anymore. She’s an active member of our family again. It has built her confidence and given us a relationship again."
-Bridgett Miller, mom
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"Karate has helped me to relieve my stresses and worries. By focusing on the moves I was learning, I was able to shift my anxiety and express it physically, thereby eliminating my stress. The more familiar the moves became, the easier it was for me to step into karate “mode” and concentrate. I was also able to apply karate’s principles to my life. Anytime I entered a situation where I was becoming angry, I went back and remembered one of the principles and shortly I calmed down.
Many times I would experience stressful situations; which included hard times in my family with certain problems, trying to work hard and be diligent with my work at school, and also trying to work hard at my job and stay positive. This all took time and patience, and would also cause me to stress out. This is why I mostly looked over the dojo creed of “seek perfection of character”. No one can be perfect they can only keep practicing to better themselves. This helped me to take my life one day at a time, and to try and not pressure myself to be absolutely perfect. Every saying and karate move has helped me to calm down and better myself, not only in karate but also in everyday situations. I was also able to help and coach my friends and family members in their lives when they were having a hard time. Letting them know that life is not always about trying to be so absolutely perfect, there is room for mistakes which you can learn from. It felt nice, calming and relaxing to take the karate class to not only learn about karate and how to perform the katas, but also to improve the way I thought and examine the way I looked at life."
- Jennifer Hickey, student
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"On the evening of May 10th, at about half-past seven, I was walking downtown to meet with some friends to go to a movie. As I walked down a lesser-used street, this group of four guys came around a corner two or three blocks down. Now these guys were somewhat intimidating, and looked like they could be trouble. However, I just kept on walking. As we got closer to one another, they started calling out taunts at me. I couldn’t understand half of what they said, but what I did hear for less than pleasant. Anyways, I kept walking closer, though I slowed down a bit, hoping they might turn a corner, and continue on their way. That didn’t happen, and the jeering was getting louder and many threatening gestures were made in my direction. As we got about 100 feet of each other, I slowed down to a stop. I went into natural stance and cleared my mind and looked at them in the eye, preparing for whatever might happen. They came a little bit closer, when I heard one them say to the other, “Forget it man, it ain’t worth it.” They quieted down and past by me, a couple of them glaring at me a bit, but I just stood looking in front of myself. Once they seemed to be about 30 feet away, I continued on my way. It was an unnerving encounter but fortunately nothing happened, and I got to the theater just fine.
I think that my training helped me at that time. While I did not have to use any of the techniques that I have learned, I knew that I could if I had to. That inner- strength was displayed in my self-confidence, and whether or not they would have attacked, and I doubt they would have, I had the ability to protect myself. I have realized that protecting oneself does not necessarily mean to physically defend against an attack, but that simply avoiding confrontation by showing the strength one has is just as much, if not more, a means of defense. I believe that passing up the conflict is actually a better way to defend oneself as it takes away even the possibility of being injured, and at times it can take more courage than giving into that “fight-or-flight” mentality. Even so, one must be prepared to fight if they need to, and it is much better to be safe and know the techniques, than to be sorry that you don’t.
This semester of karate has been very positive and instructive. The skills I have learned have already more than paid off, and I hope in the future to be able to further my karate experience."
- Scott Svedi, student
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"When I signed up for a karate class I was expecting a self defense course, yet self defense was the least important lesson that I learned in my karate class. I never thought that this class were more focused on training your character instead of your body.
I did gained all the benefits of exercising and self defensive tactics, but the most important lessons that I learned was becoming a better person overall. I learned discipline, humility, courage, the responsibility that comes with power, pride in what you do, respect, control my nerves, and more; however, the most important lesson was confidence on myself. I was able to rapidly incorporate karate in my very day life, without even realized.
I notice that I start to participate more on class, without being shy. I improve my social skills inside the classroom and attend study groups, I was able to focus more and retain more information. Being able to express yourself without having fear of being judge is really important for personal development. I was very pleased with the results of karate.
Now that the semester is over, I realize that it is just the beginning. Seeking perfection of character every day, knowing that you will never be perfect takes lots of practice and discipline in all senses. I want to be better everyday, and I know now how accomplish it."
- Gillian Trevelyan, student
"Put Karate into your daily life and this is how to see its true beauty. This precept of the Niju-Kun reminds me daily of Shotokan’s influence on my life. One such incident of applying my skills developed in karate occurred just several weeks ago. It was early on a Sunday when I received a phone call from a friend saying he needed my assistance. I’ve known him for essentially all of my life, and said, “Of course I’ll help you out, what is it you need” all the time thinking of the many times we’ve bailed each other out of situations large and small alike. Much to my dismay, the last thing I figured he would ask is for me to watch his five year old daughter, Genny, for the day as someone else flaked, his wife was working, and he had to travel to the East bay for a family medical situation.
Naturally I am thinking what in the world is it I should do with such a young child that I am to take care of. Nervousness and anxiety starts to set in as this is a large responsibility and my friends trust is on the line. My girlfriend picked up on my conscious and settled it by reminding me of the two times I have taught the morning children’s class at the dojo, and that this was no different a situation. This put the situation in a new aspect to me and eased my mind.
The day went excellent. For lunch we packed a picnic and went to the ocean. Along the way Genny asked me all kinds of questions, and each time I answered in a manner that would teach her information or a lesson. I found myself encouraging her in ways similar to that of when I taught the karate classes, making analogies between life and the surroundings and positively reinforcing her thought development. This continued as we came home River Road and stopped at Armstrong Grove as she had never been there, and I go quite often. The Redwood trees height astounded her. I found a placard displaying facts about their height, estimated age, along with numerous other amazing details and Genny and I read them together. I told her that the everything around her started from a seed no bigger than her pinky nail and grew into what they are today, the same way she will grow up one day into any type of person she chooses.
The day rounded out with pasta for supper that we prepared together until her mother picked her up. Though relieved she was gone I pondered on the day and realized how beneficial it was for the both of us. It is through my karate experience that makes situations like this manageable."
- Anonymous SRJC student
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"My son took the martial arts from about the age of 13 until he went to college. I thought I was enrolling him in martial arts classes but what I discovered was that he was getting life lessons. It was another place where he was hearing these lessons besides from me. It was wonderful! And it was worth every penny I spent."
Alice Keegan, parent and teacher at Stony Point Academy
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"In 2017, we enrolled our daughter, Sophia, in karate at Shotokan Karate Leadership School to help with her confidence and discipline. We almost immediately noticed a change in her demeanor and have thoroughly enjoyed watching her progress. In 2018, my health began to decline and by 2019 I had undergone multiple failed treatments and surgeries that were beginning to take a toll on us financially. I started off 2020 with even more surgeries and became incredibly ill. I’ve spent so much time in and out of the hospital, all the while Covid-19 was starting to hit our community. We had gone through all our savings and had to start cutting expenses. I reached out to Sensei Callahan, Chief Instructor and president of Shotokan Leadership Institute, to let him know that I had quietly been going through all this and could no longer afford to keep Sophia in the program. Without hesitation he offered a full scholarship for Sophia to continue the program free of charge while we work on getting back on our feet even when we told him I needed more surgeries and didn’t know when we would have extra money again. We are so grateful that our daughter is able to continue the program when so many things around her are uncertain at this time. Sophia is currently a brown belt and we are so excited to continue watching her work towards her black belt."
- Kayli Duncan, mom
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"The most profound thing the academy has given me is a sanctuary. I always look forward to training and always leave feeling better. I am challenged in ways more than just physical. I have become a more humble human being. I feel accepted and respected by all my peers and this has brought me great happiness."
Alec Reshefshy, student, 24
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"This semester while attending my Shotokan Karate class I learned a great deal of things. I learned not only techniques and effective actions necessary for success in combat, but also techniques and effective actions for success in life. Although Karate’s main application is for self-defense, there are many of its aspects that translate into one’s everyday life. Philosophic strategies such as the Dojo Creed, Niju Kun, and Gichin Funakoshi's Five Rules allow students across the world to lead a more productive, honorable, and intelligent lifestyle. Personally, although all of these teachings are great, something my Sensei said to us during class really resonated with me this semester: “You must always be a beginner.” I have found this phrase to be especially true in my current situation. I work as a receptionist at my father’s office in Santa Rosa, CA. I essentially walked into the job and thought it would be a breeze. Work for my Dad, slack off, have the time of my life, AND get paid all at the same time? It sounded too good to be true. What I came to realize is, unfortunately, it wasn’t. What I had forgotten to consider was my father is a Neuropsychologist, (which is a fancy word for a therapist to people with brain injuries), and medical professionals have a whole lot of paperwork and a whole lot of appointments to keep. It’s not necessarily rocket science, but it is a very detail oriented job and one little misstep can cost either the business or the patient hundreds of dollars, making it extremely stressful. At first when I would become overwhelmed I would get angry and frustrated, there were even a few days that I wanted to just walk out. Especially when I would start to think I had everything under control only to find out that I had been doing one tiny thing incorrectly and then would get yelled at for what felt like hours, mostly by people with brain injuries. I came to hate my job until I began taking Karate. Among other lessons I simply remembered to always be a beginner, and I slowly realized that it was okay to make mistakes, as long as I learned from them and did my best to never make the same mistake again. It also taught me to always be willing to learn. To understand that I don't have all the answers, and really never will, so it behooves me to have the mindset of a beginner. This strategy for life changed me from working with arrogance, bravado, and laziness to humility, diligence, and patience. This rather dramatic shift made me not only a better worker, but also a better person. I owe a lot of that to my Karate class and I hope to continue to train for the rest of my life.
Philip Olcese, age 19
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“Often outside the dojo I can be very certain in my work. 95% of knowing how to repair things is resilience. In the dojo while learning basics and kata I often feel I get to the point of comfort and knowing. Sensei, of course, will know otherwise and make us strive to be better and try harder to perfect what is being taught. Being humble and take correction with pride is something very new to me.”
Ryan Borisch, student, age 29
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“When I started karate I was very tired after every class and when we were supposed to focus and just look ahead I was slumping and talking and turning around. Now, I am more focused than most of my classmates and have much more energy.”
Trey McKeay, student, age 9
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"I left Southern California in December 2009 to move back East near where I was born, to be closer to my mom and her husband and to have their support as I raise my son. We need an SKLS Dojo here because I've often wished over the years, that I could go back to my training now that I'm a little more mature and a lot less in shape! :o) Plus, I was hoping someday to get my son into it, but I don't think I could ever endorse anything but traditional Shotokan. I imagine by now, you must have advanced in your training and ranks as well. Before I close, I just wanted to say that I am grateful for all that I learned through your classes and mentorship. Keep up the good work and know that you affect more lives than you may realize.
Lori B., student
“My daughter, Sadie, was so overwhelmed with the stress of taking an exam that she ran off the floor crying and curled up next to me on the bench. I let her stay but didn’t put my arm around her and ‘poor-baby’ her as I’d done in the past. Bridgett came over and suggested to her that she sit up straight and take a couple of deep breaths to calm herself down. She did just that and I recommended that she go sit with the other kids on the floor who were waiting their turn to take their exam. She got up and went and sat with the other kids. A few moments later she was called up. She finished her exam and passed her first karate belt test. This was another step forward for my daughter on the way to becoming an emotionally stable and well-balanced person. Thank you for all you have done for us.”
-Erin Williams, mom
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"Karate has had such a profound impact on my life I can't sum it up in one story, but I will try to convey the most significant change I feel I have made. I am not known for being good at math. Algebra has always been a subject that I struggle with. So I don't need to say how nervous I was to at the beginning of the semester, having to take intermediate algebra at the JC. But I applied certain concepts of karate to my behavior and attitude about myself as a math student. The first strategies I employed was "be faithful," and "endeavor." I didn't waste any time for setting up a study routine for myself and I never faltered from it. All the hard work from that enabled me to change my attitude about my math abilities, because my understanding and confidence improved. Another thought I carried with me throughout the semester was actions follow thoughts. I will get whatever grade I envision for myself. I kept seeing myself as an A student, and I kept getting A's. With all these improvements I have made on myself I discovered I like math, and without these changes would of never known."
Cynthia Kohl, student
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"When I went into the class on the first day I can honestly say I hated myself. Recently looking back on those days and taking the time to figure out what to write for this paper I realized that that has changed. I remembered when I read through Dojo Kun 4 it talked about respecting others and how the first step of doing that is respecting your self. At the time I thought there was no way that I would be able to do this. Even those close to me seemed to have doubts. But over time working in classes and practicing karate at home, while thinking about the Dojo Kun I have come to understand and live that Dojo Kun. Of course I still strive to do better, because nobody is really perfect. However I have achieved a certain level of respect for myself that have not had for a long time. And this is how that has affected my life so far.
The other day I went down to the river with my friend and we ran into some people there that were drinking and jumping off from the bridge and cliffs. They invited my friend and me over and so we started jumping off the cliff with them. Suddenly a group of them fell into the water from the bridge. They came up spluttering trying to get air and swam to the bank. At first they seemed dumb struck and shaken, but then one of them became boastful and started yelling how awesome that was. The other two reluctantly at first joined in with his excitement. These three guys turned to my friend and me and tried talking us into going up on the bridge. I knew that the river was only about twelve feet deep there and we only had a space about fourteen feet radius within which to land. Also, the temperature of the water was about fifty-three degrees; I discussed all this with my friend. My friend seemed reluctant as well, but I knew he would do it if I did.
Before my karate classes I would have been more than willing to jump right off that bridge with everyone else. But with my new sense of respect for myself and others I couldn’t allow myself to jump off the bridge and I wouldn’t guide my friend off the bridge either knowing how risky it was. So I told them no and my friend followed my example. The three guys didn’t seem too perturbed in fact two of them seemed relieved. My only guess is that they know how lucky they were to be able to still be standing there.
Up until recently I have put most of this out of my mind and haven’t really thought of it. But looking back on it I can say that karate has kept me from either serious injury or death. People have told me that they can see change in me and in how I act and I can say honestly they are right. I have found respect for my self, others, and the world around me in general thanks to karate."
- Jonathon Collinsworth, student
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"Winning is not everything, putting our best effort to do our best making peace is what is really means. In this class I learned a lot, especially mentally, it makes me be stronger, peaceful, and more human. The book perfection of character gave me 20 principles of karate that were really important. The one that got completely my attention was the number 12. Do not cling to the idea of winning; it’s the idea of not losing that is necessary. Before I read this principal, I thought I had to win to feel good, but now I understood that putting my best effort on everything is what makes me be a really winner.
Sometimes when I had to wake up at 3 in the morning to go to work, get my lunch at 7 to go to class, was really hard to me. Although my schedule made me mad many times because I thought that my life was really hard and it wasn’t fair, after I read the principle 12 I stared to be more positive and I changed the way I think.
A close friend of mine was sent to Iraq and that event changed his life, and those around him, drastically. I always admired his strength and his ability to make everyone around him smile. When Erick decided to join the Marines, I was afraid for him. The war in Iraq was happening and I was afraid for his life, but most of all I was afraid for his spirit. I had heard many terror stories of soldiers that come back from war and they turn into a completely different person. I was afraid he would lose the light in his eyes. His parents and his wife tried all they could to get him to change his mind. However, Erick didn’t listen to his family’s wishes or his friends’, and he joined the Marines. Sure enough, a year after he had joined, Erick was sent to Iraq. He was there for a year and during that time I didn’t have much communication with him. I wrote him several letters but he didn’t respond. When Erick returned, his parents invited me to their house. As expected, the moment I saw him, I knew he was different. He hardly smiled and even the way he looked at me was different. Later on in the week, we had a chance to meet privately and Erick finally told me all the horrible things that he’d witnessed. He told me of the thousands of deaths he witnessed, including seven of his closest friends. He told me of the innocent lives he was forced to take and as he told me all his war stories, he began to tear up. I could tell that he was very ashamed of his sordid actions. He kept telling me that he felt defeated and tormented. He mentioned how he yearned for a different life and that he felt helpless. Months passed and I kept noticing changes in Erick. He began to use drugs, suffered from insomnia, became extremely depressed, got divorced and lived in meager conditions. Because of his drug abuse, his wife got full custody of their daughter and Erick didn’t get to see her very often, which only made him very miserable. His friends abandoned him and his divorces lead him to poverty. His life had dilapidated right before his eyes. A year later after Erick had returned from Iraq, his parents tried to put him into a special rehab center for veterans, but he didn’t want to go. One day I called him and I told him I was taking a karate class, which was really interesting and fun, I loaned him my book and I asked him to read it. Two weeks after that, his mom sent me a text to tell me that he accept to go to rehab center for veterans, so a couple weeks ago I visited him, and he was once again, a changed man. His hair had grown out, he was slimmer, and for the first time in a long time he was smiling. I saw the light in his eyes that had once been lost. He said that, the book changed his life because it made him appreciated his life and opened his eyes. As soon as he gets out of there, he wants to start taking karate classes, go the Police Academy and start working again. He is trying to get the partial custody of his daughter and fix his life. I am so proud of him. He had faced many challenges in life and trying to overcome all of them with so much strength. In a few years he had managed to pick himself up, and thanks the book, changed his life for the better. I’m glad to have my friend back."
- Anonymous SRJC student
