For as far back as I can remember I have been infatuated with martial arts. But, being the middle child of three to a single mother. Training it seemed would be a pipe dream. So I watched every movie and t.v. show that had even elements of martial arts. I also read books about the history of martial arts, along with magazines like Black Belt. When I was 13 we moved back to California from Florida. To help me adjust in the transition my mother made room in the budget to allow me to train.
I was in heaven. I spent every moment I could training and just hung around the dojo.
Sparring and katas in the dojo
I didn’t want to be anywhere else. I competed in a couple of tournaments, won a few trophies and medals for sparring and katas. Because of my passion and desire to learn everything I could. I moved up belts quickly. In under 6 months I moved from white to yellow to orange belts. For that style and dojo it was rare to move that fast. Back then I didn’t think much about it I was just doing what I loved.
It didn’t register that it was a honor to be asked to test for belts so fast or to even learn Katas of higher belts. Looking back I am truly honored they believed in me at a time in my life it really mattered. We moved shortly after I tested into my orange belt to the South Bay. I was so heartbroken at not being able to training at that dojo, that no other place would do. So for 20+ years I missed out on training. Like some say, the right place will come at the right time. A couple of years ago now I said to myself it’s time to train again. I must have driven past Elite 1,000 times or more over the years. I always assumed a bunch macho jerks trained there.
Yet I walked in and within 10 minutes of taking a tour and talking to Colleen I was signing up.
Once again it was like I was 13 all over again. Once more, I am in heaven. Elite has become my home away from home. I train every chance I get and the instructors are always there to answer questions. As an assistant instructor I can’t think of a better thing than to give back and help another find that passion I have.
~Jason Robertson
Elite Training Center
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 543-1600
www.elitetrainingcenter.net
