Throwback Thursday is a pretty cool tradition; kudos to whoever first thought of it.      It gives us an excuse to share some great memories… not that I ever actually need an excuse. But it’s as good a reason as any to share some great memories of times with my kids or grandkids, or students, team and all the great memories we’ve had in the almost 24 years we’ve been creating confident and competent Blackbelt Leaders at KMMA. But not all memories are good.    Some memories, mine and yours, everybody’s really, are only good to learn a lesson from- and then should be lef ..read more

As you read this Wednesday morning, Barb and I are actually on our way back from Hiawasee Georgia, where we took a little time off with friends.    I wrote this Tuesday morning so you’d still have something to read. ? I hope you like it. Anyway, over coffee this morning, Barb made an observation that sparked my meditation that led to this writing.    That’s not uncommon by the way. It’s one of the many things I enjoy about my awesome wife. The view is somewhat uncommon though…     we are not often able to take our coffee from the top of a mountain overlooking suc ..read more

I received the following email from Mrs. Caldwell yesterday.     She’s the Assistant Principal at Hammond Elementary, a Blackbelt Leadership student and the mom of two younger Blackbelt Leadership students; dad trains too. It’s a family affair. Good Evening. I hope you are having a great vacation! I wanted to send a shout out to Sensei James! He led a great class tonight. He gave specific feedback and encouraged everyone. Caroline had a moment of getting upset and Sensei James immediately recognized that she is a student who internalizes everything and tries to ensure others are do ..read more

The journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step.    You knew what I was going to say as soon as you read the subject line. That’s because the ancient Chinese saying has been used so much that it is cliche’. here’s the origin story by the way: The quotation is from Chapter 64 of the Dao De Jing ascribed to Laozi,[1] although it is also erroneously ascribed to his contemporary Confucius.[2] This saying teaches that even the longest and most difficult ventures have a starting point; something which begins with one first step. But back to the cliche’ par ..read more

Yesterday, in my email blog entitled “God’s Country”, I told you a little about my friend Paul Baumann.    Today I wanna share 3 more facts about him: 1. he was my partner when I opened the school in October of 2000. 2. he is a master at what he does, just as we are at what we do.  3. his wife, Ruth, and kids, Luke and Jacob Baumann, are KMMA Blackbelts! 4. I also want to share something he told me while we were sitting outside alone yesterday… Paul said that what he has really noticed over the last few years is the incredible leadership culture, and the quality of leaders that ..read more

This message will be short and sweet, because I’m on vacation on the mountain.    Actually slept in until 0715 today! And ever since, been catching up with friends and drinking coffee; great fellowship and also enjoying the view from this mountain in Hiawasee, Georgia.     God’s Country. It’s amazing what my friend, Paul Baumann, accomplished.    I remember standing on this same spot a decade or so ago when what now is was just his vision. Then he did what he had to do to turn the Vision into reality; the reality his family enjoys today- and this week, Barb and I ..read more

All week I have been teaching on the 7 steps of a perfectly healthy negative diet.    I know it sounds paradoxical, but once I explain you’ll hopefully understand what a useful diet it really is. The “negative diet” refers to restricting the most harmful things to protect our most valuable resource- which is Attitude. There are 7 steps to the negative diet.  1. Avoid all media. Could you do it for 30 days? 72 hours? If you’ve been addicted to iot for a while, start by trying one day.  2. Stay Away from “can’t do” and other negative people. Make a list of 20 peopl ..read more

I hope you enjoy this podcast with Dr. Drew Gold.    I thought he provided a wealth of great information on how to go beyond emotional intelligence and never have a bad day again! By the way, he asked me to share this survey with you, to help him decide the best title for his soon to be released book! Prepare To Live; Empower To Lead! Grand Master Stephen J. Del Castillo Founding Master Instructor, Krav Maga Martial Arts TampaKravMaga.com         StephenDelCastillo.com p.s. did you see the email/blog about my new birthday party program! Pleas ..read more

I am so proud of Sensei Lydia, her progress from where she started and her continued growth as a student, teacher, young leader and communicator today.    Listen to her blackbelt speech. Besides being proud of and grateful for her, I’d like you to also listen to her testimony about what the Blackbelt Leadership journey has really done for her. You can hear, not only in what she says but in how she says it, that she is certainly emerging as a confident and competent Blackbelt Leader, prepared to survive and thrive in any situation; and empowered to lead, where she’s at and into her f ..read more

Of course you have a birthday; we all do.    This blog is predominantly about our children’s birthdays, but happy birthday to us too. ? Two specific birthdays led to this post, and the idea I wanted to share with you.    The first was Abby’s birthday, and this post by her mom: My Blackbelt Leader Sensei at KMMA are so great at creating a special experience for our students- in classes, and at all our special events, including birthdays! The second was my grandson’s today.    For a myriad of reasons it was kind of last second and we hadn’t really planned it, but w ..read more