I hear stories often about what brings people into martial arts. Sometimes it is about wanting to get healthy and learn something. It could be out of boredom. They want something new and exciting to do rather than going to the gym and running on a treadmill (if you live in the South Bay and run on a tread mill you should be slapped) or just lifting weights. Then there are those stories from people like a student named “Tony.”
Travelling From Palmdale For Martial Arts Training
Today I spoke with Tony, who travels 3 hours to get to Elite Training Center two times each week. He comes from Palmdale. He loves Krav Maga, Muay Thai Kickboxing, MMA and Kali. If it is self defense related, he enjoys it. He has a routine he follows. He wakes up at 5 am to catch a train. Next he takes a series of buses to get to Redondo Beach. Our first class of the day on Monday morning begins at 10 am. Once he finishes his Krav Maga class he gets on another bus and travels to South Los Angeles to see his fiance.
I asked what brings him all the way to Redondo from Palmdale. “I’m treated right and I have fun learning.” Tony has a back story.
Back in 1994 while Tony was visiting New Orleans. He was shot in the head, left for dead during a mugging and attempted murder. No one was ever charged with the attempt on Tony’s life.
With the bullet still lodged in his head, he had to learn to walk again. He had to learn how to talk again. He’s also legally blind. Through all of this he received 2 degrees; one degree in health and human services and the other in speech/communications.
It’s difficult for Tony to see techniques, so there is a lot of auditory learning. It is constant repetition. He wants to learn. He needs to learn. He is more driven and motivated than a lot of people I know including me. Tony inspires me. I am motivated so much more today than I have been in a long time.
Stop waiting to start training. Stop quitting before you start. It shouldn’t take a bullet to the head to get us motivated.
S. Derhammer
Elite Training Center Redondo Beach
1628 South Pacific Coast Highway,
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 598-1887
