EPISODE #1: JEFF SPEAKMAN - star of THE PERFECT WEAPON, is our guest in our premiere episode. Mr. Speakman discusses his beginnings in the Martial Arts, his training with LOU ANGEL in Goju Ryu, ED PARKER in American Kenpo, his movie career, and his opinion on Kenpo, as well as the first seminar that he (Jeff) did in New England, at ED WILSON'S Woonsocket Fitness And Self Defense, in Woonsocket, Rhode Island.
EPISODE #2: BRUCE JUCHNIK - Hanshi of the Kosho Ryu system of Kempo, discusses the various aspects of his Martial Arts history, his introduction to JAMES MITOSE, and the various elements that comprise Kosho Ryu. Also portions of a seminar that Juchnik Hanshi appeared in at GLEN WEBER'S Martial Arts Center in Providence, Rhode Island for MICHAEL BROWN.
EPISODE #3: JOAQUIM "JACK" LEONARDO - Sensei of the New Bedford Aiki Kai discusses his Aikido tenure, spanning over 35 years of training. Included in this episode are segments of an Aikido evaluation. All Aikido students who have trained in the Greater Southeastern Massachusetts can trace their roots to Leonardo Sensei. He is a man who truly embodies the harmonious and spiritual path of a Martial Arts master. Gain insight into this man who many "masters" call "MASTER".
EPISODE #4: CYNTHIA ROTHROCK - Martial Arts Film Star, National Tournament Champion, and Black Belt/instructor in five different arts. At a series of seminars held in Rhode Island, Ms. Rothrock explains how she began in the arts, her tournament career, as well as life on a Hong Kong movie set. She also demonstrates & teaches valuable aspects of dynamic, explosive kicking techniques. Professor Nickolas "Nick" Cerio, 10th Dan and sponsor of the event, talks about his past experiences with Ms. Rothrock. Cynthia's MOM makes a guest apperence as well! a must see episode for any Rothrock fan!
EPISODE #5: PIN PIN SU - Simu Pin Pin Su, Director of the Swansea Wellness Center and Tai Chi instructor at Brown University in Rhode Island, discusses her life as a survivor of the A-bomb in Nagasaki, her life as half Chinese/Japanese, and her training in Yang's Tai Chi. Simu Su details her study of "Olympic" Tai Chi and demonstrates the form and a Tai Chi Ch'ien (sword) form.
EPISODE #6: PAT JOHNSON & RICHARD BRANDEN - Richard Branden, Black Belt Magazine's Kung Fu Competitor of the year, talks about his roles in FUTURE FIGHTS and his role in Martial Masters (WMAC MASTERS) Pat Johnson, Fight Choreographer of the TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES & KARATE KID films, explains what went into the fight scenes and the training of the actors for all the films & WMAC MASTERS! {filmed at the 1994 Ocean State Karate Championships}
EPISODE #7: LEE WEDLAKE - One of the most prolific authors of articles on the subject of American Kenpo, as well as long time Ed Parker Black Belt. Mr. Wedlake offers insights into the breakdown of the multiple attackers techniques. Also, an in depth interview with Mr. Wedlake (who is now affiliated with the Chinese Karate Federation) that was filmed at Mr. Lance Soares Karate studio in New Bedford, MA. Mr. Wedlake is the featured performer of the American Kenpo Forms in Infinite Insights Into Kenpo Vol. #5 and wrote the Preface for Vol. #3.
EPISODE #8: TOM SOTIS - President of the International Blade Fighters Guild, demonstrates his skills in the Philipino knife Martial Arts. The Seminar, held by Mr. Paul Curtain, was well attended as Mr. Sotis details the basics of various approaches to strikes, blocks, parries, and disarms of Arnis/Escrima/Kali and a demonstration using live blades! A real treat for knife enthusiasts!
EPISODE #9: YAO LI/JOSHUA GRANT - Sifu Joshua Grant, Medal Winner in International Tai Chi Competition and the Featured instructor in three instructional videos on the subject of Tai Chi, explains the different styles, basics, and requirements for international competition. Sifu Grant demonstrates a portion of the winning form. He also discusses the upcoming World Max 94. Sifu Yao Li, Former Wah Lum and now Wu Shu Master, talks of his past career as well as his Present appearance at the World Max 94. Sifu Li demonstrates a beautiful "Sam Jeet Kwan" (three section staff) form! PLUS! Boston Celtic RICK FOX stops by to stretch out before a game and tells us about how Wushu Stretching has helped his Basketball skills!
EPISODE #10: FLORENDO VISITATION - The founder and creator of Vee Arnis Jutsu and four other Martial Arts; at 84 (½) years of age, is a true pleasure to interview. Prof. Visitation tells us of his VAST Martial Arts history. He also gives us a rare demonstration of his skills, as well as a seminar on VEE ARNIS JUTSU, with the help of SHIHAN DAVID JAMES (the successor to the Visitation legacy) and PROF. TALIB I. MUHAMMAD, the seminar encompasses several diverse techniques and disarms. This seminar was filmed at the RHODE ISLAND VEE ARNIS JUTSU ACADEMY (Special thanks to PROF. RICHARD PETRONELLI). NOTE!: THIS WAS THE LAST INTERVIEW/SEMINAR THAT PROF. VISITATION DID BEFORE HIS RETIREMENT!
EPISODE #11: BILL GREGORY - Seventh Level Black Sash in Pai Lum Kung Fu & SHIR TAI GUNG of the KAJUKenpo/PAI LUM system explains about the forms and techniques of the PAI LUM (WHITE DRAGON) system. SIFU ROGER LACROIX and SIFU GEORGEANNE VERIGAN demonstrate the "7 animal Kung Fu exercise set' and "CHINESE SOFT FIST' forms and Shir Tai Gung Gregory demonstrates techniques from this beautiful art. (Shir Tai Gung Gregory now runs the KajuKenpo/Pai Lum Federation in Naples, FL.) BONUS!: SINCE THE AIRING OF THIS EPISODE, WE'VE ADDED ADDITIONAL FOOTAGE OF SHIR TAI GUNG GREGORY DEMONSTRATING HIS "IRON PALM" TECHNIQUES AT THE "KICK FOR CANCER" TOURNAMENT!