Tell readers a bit about yourself and how you came to Palm Coast/Flagler County.
Thank you for the opportunity! I was born and raised in Hartford, Connecticut. I was the first in my family to be born in the United States — both of my parents and my older brother were born in the Portuguese islands of the Azores. The island of Santa Maria specifically. While I’ve been to the Azores many times and speak fluent Portuguese, I always bragged growing up that I could run for president while my brother couldn’t!
I was an energetic young man and eventually persuaded my parents to enroll me at a local dojo. Thankfully, fate brought me to the dojo of an American jujitsu & karate pioneer — Master Paul Arel. From that point forward, my life has been dominated by the authentic martial arts and the role they can play in the real world — whether that be for practical self-defense or enhancing someone’s daily life in a meaningful way.
Eventually, I was awarded instructor’s certification by my sensei and the sanctioning body of martial art style. At that time, I became the youngest head instructor of a dojo for our style in the world. In an effort to expand the geographic reach of our method of martial arts, I relocated to Palm Coast in 1999. I started our dojo, the Jukido Academy, in October of that year. It is now, by far, the longest running school of self-defense in Flagler County.
You’ve run a successful martial arts studio for a while. What inspired you to open it?
My inspiration for opening the Jukido Academy is multi-varied. Of course, it was a way for me to continue to pursue my own study of the martial arts. However, much more importantly, I truly believe in the power of properly taught martial arts — and the key phrase there is PROPERLY TAUGHT!
Unfortunately, the martial arts scene is saturated with schools that are the martial arts equivalent to Chuck-E-Cheese. Conversely others are something akin to a “Fight Club” for young men. Both approaches can be dangerous. In the case of the “Fight Club” mentality, they teach the techniques but not the ethical responsibility for using those techniques. They can create fighters but not necessarily the highest expression of what it means to be a martial artist. As my sensei would say, “Any idiot can learn how to hurt somebody.
In the case of “daycare karate” — the “teach” kids an empty shell of the martial arts to make a profit. Leaving children with a sense of false confidence in what they can actually achieve in a real world situation. The come away with a cartoon version of martial arts as opposed to the real deal.
However, if arts such as jiu-jitsu, karate, judo, etc. when PROPERLY TAUGHT with the correct balance of realistic self-defense coupled with a moral code — are an incredible enhancer for absolutely everyone! True martial arts, as we say at the Jukido Academy, can become a means of learning how to master yourself as you master the art of self-defense.
In establishing our school in Palm Coast almost 23 years ago, I wanted to pay forward everything that was given to me through the martial arts and especially our particular style of jujitsu. I wanted to honor my teacher and provide a meaningful service to our community.
What drew you to martial arts and why do you love it?
As with many young children, I was drawn to the martial arts because of the “wow” factor! It seemed like magic! The truth is, I’m more fascinated today than I was back then but for slightly different reasons.
A magic show is actually a good analogy! When you are in the audience, you’re fascinated by what you see on stage being performed by the magician. You think, “How did he do that?” However, for the passionate magician, the fascination is with the inner workings…the art of “making it happen.” Now I’m more like the magician trying to outdo myself and enhance my abilities. Of course, I’m also interested in giving others that ability as well. Especially those who need it most — the bullied, those lacking confidence, etc.
I love the dualism of martial arts. The ability to be at the very same time, both extremely physically capable but also a person bound by a code of virtue and honor.
Talk about your book. Is this the first work you’ve authored, what is it about and why did you write it?
My new book is titled, The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo In America. While I have written many extensive articles over the years, this is my first published book. I’m really proud of the final product.
As the title of the book suggests, the book centers on the roots of how the Japanese art of self-defense was brought from Japan to the United States. It begins with the first known encounter between an American and the art of jujutsu (sometimes spelled jujitsu or jiu-jitsu). We move forward in time to discuss notable events and personalities. Including little known facts, such as President Theodore Roosevelt studying jujitsu / judo and having a dojo in the White House. We highlight the role of World War 2 and how American servicemen coming back from Japan played a massive role in the art having a permanent place in the fabric of America.
The book also includes 5 extended interviews with American jujitsu and judo pioneers! Including Olympic medalists, military veterans, veteran martial arts masters, etc.
I was motivated to write this book for two main reasons.
First, I’ve been consistently surprised by the extremely muted knowledge of martial arts history that most students have. Even very senior level martial artists, people who are incredible practitioners with decades of experience, often have a very superficial understanding of historical realities.
What ends up happening is that a very low level of understanding gets passed on. Quite often, erroneous myths develop and become crystalized as fact — when really, they are just popular narratives that come from ignorance or marketing. I consistently hear completely false information passed on as “matter of fact” when even a little bit of research shows that those claims are completely inaccurate. I wanted to provide an informative yet totally readable book that provided those interested in the topic a much fuller understanding of how the arts developed, especially in the American landscape.
Secondly, I wanted the untold story of many of the art’s founders in America to be permanently recorded. So many individuals contributed to the art and it would be, in my estimation, an absolute tragedy to not see their story preserved into eternity.
I’m reminded of the quote by Robert Henlein, “A generation which ignores history has no past and no future.”
What do you hope readers will take away from your book and where can they find a copy?
The book is available right now on Amazon! You can simply search my name or search “The Founding of Jujutsu & Judo in America” right now! You might well see it soon in brick and mortar book stores too. For now, Amazon is the place to go!
I hope to have the support of the local Flagler community. Even non-martial arts enthusiasts…I know that Flagler supports it’s own! Again, I hope the book provides both a strong historical recounting of the development of jujitsu and judo in America but does so in a way that is enjoyable to read.
Right now, while it has been released only a few days, it is ranked as #1 New Release in the categories of martial arts and sports history! Amazon placed it as one of it’s “Hot New Releases” as well. Truly proud to represent both the martial arts and Flagler in such a positive way.
