Adam Flohr is a Krav Maga martial artist training out of the California Defence Academy in Murrieta, California. A self described art and media guy with the gift of gab, he grew tired of feeling helpless in negative confrontations. He searched for the "toughest" form of self-defense to give him that self confidence he aspired to attain. Through learning Krav Maga, an Israeli Military self-defense system, he not only found what he was looking for, he started the "Strip Mall Sensei" YouTube channel documenting his martial arts journey. With over 25 thousand followers, his media & art experience along with his Martial Arts journey is on display for all to follow and be inspired by. 

Follow Strip Mall Sensei at:

Strip Mall Sensei official YouTube channel - https://youtube.com/@stripmallsensei?si=EIsQNYZywvf4deKp

California Defence Academy - https://cadefenseacademy.com/

MDS North America - https://mdsnorthamerica.com/

For everything BBWOL click below 

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=694b07f440014ac9

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

BBWOL Show Producer - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com

Show Sponsor - https://joseph-ferone.tmt.realty.com

Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us

Kickfit Martial Arts Shoes - Promo Code BBWOL at check for a 10% discount - https://kickfit.us/

New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

Inspired by action movie stars like Jet Li and Jackie Chan, Sensei James Luk's mom knew Martial Arts was the perfect activity to keep a young kid safe and off the streets. Born into the projects of Woodside, Queens, learning how to defend yourself was a necessity. 15 minutes away the Shotojuko Dojo in Astoria, Queens was where his Martial Arts would begin. Under the tutelage of Sensei Kai Leung, James Luk would flourish into an accomplished Martial Artist on the mat and off the dojo tatami. A National Champion in Kata & Weapons, James Luk learned that "medals do not define us", becoming a true Martial Artist like his sensei was the correct path to live by. He has been blessed to be able to pass on the art to his children, especially his daughter who is now a high level competitor. This inspired James to jump back into the competition arena after an extended time away. What he found was immediate success. Success that has now turned into him leading the USA Masters Team Karate movement for the World Masters Games in Kansai Japan taking place in 2027.

For everything A Black Belt Way of Life, click below - 

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=694b07f440014ac9

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

BBWOL Show Producer - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com

Show Sponsor - https://joseph-ferone.tmt.realty.com

Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us

Shotojuko Dojo information - https://shotojuku.com/

Follow the Black Belt Way of Life podcast on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565583651797

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbeltwayoflife/

Learn more about the New York Black Belt Center: https://nybbc.org/

Subscribe to the New York Black Belt Center YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRk9IlttzWlGyA6fHjHOmRA

Master Marc Zirogiannis is a World Taekwondo International Referee and the Founder/Editor-in-Chief of Taekwondo Life Magazine. His journey in Taekwondo began in the early 1980s, following his older brother into martial arts. This led him to YH Park Taekwondo. Grandmaster Park, one of the first to open a Taekwondo school in Long Island, New York, was a former USA National Team and Olympic Coach who is considered a pioneer in Taekwondo in the United States. Competition in the sport of Taekwondo did not bring him much success. Coaching the sport of Taekwondo was not his thing. But he loved the martial art of Taekwondo. All he needed was someone to believe in him, and this came from his Grandmaster's son Master Edward Park. Master Park encouraged him to become a referee. In life, we just need one person to believe in us. Master Zirogiannis has not looked back since. Starting at local Taekwondo events gave him the confidence to pursue international status in sport Taekwondo. No simple task, as it takes years of experience and education to become certified as an IR. He took his love for everything Taekwondo and Martial Arts to the world of print, starting his publication, Taekwondo Life Magazine. Already a contributing writer for Taekwondo Times, under the direction of Grandmaster Park, Taekwondo Life Magazine was born. Covering all things Taekwondo, martial arts, and movies. 

Being a referee is no simple task, at times the most underappreciated at the tournament, and often the blame for a loss. Throughout all that, Master Marc Zirogiannis never loses the principles of fairness and always prioritizes the safety of athletes.

For more info, click into the bio below for everything BBWOL 🥋

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=a50b88d80b184358

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Podcast Producers - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com/

Official Sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone of Weichert Realty - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny?msockid=15a1f336eb646c6127ffe692ea7d6d3e

Official Apparel - Best Martial Arts/Mooto USA - https://bestma.us/

Kickfit Taekwondo shoes - 10% discount at checkout - Promo code BBWOL - https://kickfit.us/

New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org/

Y.H. Park Taekwondo - https://yhpark.com/

Taekwondo Life Magazine - https://tkdlifemagazine.com/

Born into a Taekwondo family, Tim Thackrey’s life has always revolved around discipline, resilience, and personal transformation. But his early years as an athlete were anything but golden — until everything clicked. Surrounded by the right people, Tim rose from underdog status to become a USA National Team Member, Olympic Training Center resident, and Pan American Games gold medalist.

After retiring from competition, Tim channeled his energy into building champions — co-founding the performance powerhouse The Juice Compound, where he now helps athletes of all levels unlock their full potential through elite nutrition and mindset coaching.

In this episode, Tim shares:

• How he overcame years of early defeat in Taekwondo

• What it took to reach the Olympic Training Center

• The philosophy behind The Juice Compound

• Why systematic nutrition and support builds winners

• How mindset and lifestyle are as important as performance

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or entrepreneur — this is a conversation about winning in life, not just in sport.

For everything, BBWOL, click below ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Podcast Producers - Press Record Studios -https://pressrecordstudios.com/

Official Sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone of Weichert Realty - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny

Official Apparel - Best Martial Arts/Mooto USA - https://bestma.us/

Kickfit Taekwondo shoes - 10% discount at checkout - Promo code BBWOL - https://kickfit.us/

Coach Tim Thackrey - https://www.timthack.com/

Follow the Black Belt Way of Life podcast on:

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife?si=cSPlm4RDJwn1XC4N

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP...

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/.../9d3.../a-black-belt-way-of-life

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/.../a-black-belt.../id1769633501

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565583651797

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blackbeltwayoflife/

Learn more about the New York Black Belt Center: https://nybbc.org/

Subscribe to the New York Black Belt Center YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRk9IlttzWlGyA6fHjHOmRA

In 1991 Grandmaster Joseph Lupo Sr. alongside Grandmaster Moonsung Lee, opened the Moon S. Lee Taekwondo Institute in Whitestone, Queens, New York. Before the school was even officially open, a young teenage girl would walk in with her father to get some info on the new school in the neighborhood. Upon speaking to GM Joe, a decision was made immediately that this was where she wanted to continue her Taekwondo training. Quickly bonds were formed, Taekwondo families created, passion for the art was ingrained in our hearts through blood, sweat, tears, and wacks with the bamboo stick. Through rigorous training Alana learned how to handle her toughest opponent, life. Thirty Four years later, now a 4th Degree Master in the art, Alana Bari is kicking and punching and practicing the art she fell in love with from Grandmaster Joseph Lupo Sr.'s teachings, a man that inspired her and a generation of Martial Artists.

For everything BBWOL, click the links below -

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=3a391a3d9829475b

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Production Company - Press Record Studios -https://pressrecordstudios.com

Official Apparel Company - Best Martial Arts/Mooto USA - https://bestma.us

Official Show Sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone - Weichert Realty - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny?msockid=15a1f336eb646c6127ffe692ea7d6d3e

KickFit Taekwondo Shoes - https://kickfit.us - Use code BBWOL at checkout for a discount

New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

Born in New York, raised in California, now based out of Georgetown, Texas, Master Cy Zamani has passed his fair share of ups and downs in life. The one constant that has always pulled him through the hardest of moments is Taekwondo. From the tragic loss of his father, and later his daughter, to a cancer diagnosis, the positivity that Taekwondo brought out in his life pulled him through. Three decades of Taekwondo competition helped Cy Zamani battle his toughest tests, inside and outside the ring. Now he pays it forward to the future generations of athletes in Taekwondo. His story is one of perseverance and loyalty to his craft. 

For everything, A Black Belt Way of Life click the links below

• YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife
• Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=d9af64eb3587433d
• Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501
• Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

• BBWOL Show Producer - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com
• Show Sponsor - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny
• Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us
• New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

Master Carlos Villanueva, a 4th Dan Black Belt certified under the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo) and the New York Black Belt Center, has been a lifelong Taekwondo practitioner under his father, Master Luis Villanueva. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, his culinary career brought him to the lights of New York City. Here, he found a second home under Master Joseph Lupo Jr. and Master John Rodriguez at the NYBBC. It was a very patient and thorough search for the right Taekwondo school. But once found, he knew he had found the right spot in the Team Wolfpack community. It was not easy; the NYBBC's style of training is very tough both on the mind and physically. At 250 lbs, Carlos knew he had to make a change, not only to better his Taekwondo performance in competition, but for himself, for the betterment of his life. As a certified executive chef, he could use his extensive culinary skills to match his high-level Taekwondo work ethic to kick-start his weight loss and do all this while being a Type 1 diabetic. He made it happen with no easy task, but with a traditional old-school Taekwondo mindset where giving up is not an option. This episode was filmed live at the New York Black Belt Center during the East Coast USA Masters Team seminar. With a live studio audience present and eager to ask Master Carlos about his tremendous journey.

For everything A Black Belt Way of Life Podcast click below

YouTube -  http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=636d70b999654b20

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

Producers - http://pressrecordstudios.com

Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us

Official Sponsor - https://joseph-ferone.tmt.realty.com

Kickfit Taekwondo shoes - use promo code BBWOL at check out for a discount - https://kickfit.us

New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

Sensei Kai Leung, a world-recognized Shotokan Karate Instructor, immigrated to the United States in the early 1960s. A seasoned Goju-Ryu Karate competitor and instructor, Leung's life changed when he met the late Toyotaro Miyazaki, who brought traditional Shotokan Karate to New York.

Leung quit his New York City schoolteacher job and closed his Shotokan Karate dojo in Whitestone, Queens, to work alongside Sensei Miyazaki at the Shotojuku Dojo in Astoria, Queens. Sensei Miyazaki's impact on Sensei Leung's life was profound, forging a relationship that became the catalyst for his expertise in the history of not only his martial art but all other martial arts that originated from the Asian continent. 

Sensei Leung talks to us about the "true meaning" of martial arts in a literal, figurative, and spiritual way, delving into the connections across different styles from various parts of the world. He has trained countless fighting champions, Hollywood actors, and award-winning musicians, but he maintains a humble decorum even with his success as a coach and competitor. Sensei Kai Leung is a "True Martial Artist" who continues to teach his craft every day while keeping the legacy of Master Miyazaki alive and strong.

For everything A Black Belt Way of Life, click the links below

YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=d9af64eb3587433d

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

BBWOL Show Producer - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com

Show Sponsor - https://joseph-ferone.tmt.realty.com

Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us

New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

When most young kids in the 1980s wanted to be Ralph Macchio (Daniel LaRusso) from the Karate Kid movies, Eric Ruiz wanted to be Mr. Miyagi, a teacher of martial arts.

As a teenager, he started learning Taekwondo. Once he gained his footing and built a strong foundation, he began learning other forms of martial arts. Black belts in Taekwondo & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (under Professor Rob Gutierrez), Eric has also achieved rank in Jeet Kune Do, Jun Fan Gung Fu, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Combat Submission Wrestling under Sensei Erik Paulson.

Eric understood that to be a good and real teacher of the arts, he needed to immerse himself into the competition world. To teach fighting, one must have fight experience is his mindset. How can you know if a technique works, if you've never used it or been hit by it, was the question he asked himself. This approach set the groundwork for the opening of his school, Ringsport Muay Thai, located in Whitestone, Queens, New York.

A trainer to champions in MMA and Muay Thai is his greatest accomplishment, in his opinion. He is humble in his talk of being a champion professional Muay Thai fighter, having spent time in Thailand. Molding martial artists is his passion. Molding them through real life and in-ring experience. A model that many instructors should follow in their pursuit of teaching excellence. 

Follow us on social media and wherever you consume your podcasts. 

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=151905d467424ed2 

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life 

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501 

Official show sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone - Weichert Realty - Joseph Ferone - Real Estate Agent in Flushing, NY - Reviews | Zillow 

Official show apparel - Best Martial Arts/MOOTO USA 

Ringsport Muay Thai - https://www.ringsportthaiboxing.com/

 A Black Belt Way of Life is produced by Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com/

Before she became one of the most fearsome Taekwondo competitors on the planet, Grandmaster Mechelle Smith began Taekwondo in 1979 as an introverted teenager training at Grandmaster Les Zampino's school, the Northeast Taekwondo Academy in Rotterdam, NY. Training during a time when women were few on the training floor, she persisted and took the leap into competition, losing every tournament over the next two years.

Smith persevered, becoming a national champion and a potential team member for the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, but a controversial decision robbed her of that opportunity.

Again, Smith refused to back down and returned to training. Her new attitude earned her a Gold medal at the 1992 Pan American Championships and a massive victory over the reigning Olympic gold medalist from Korea, cementing her as one of the greatest athletes to ever compete for the USA.

With an impressive competition resume, she opened MW Taekwondo in 1998 to teach the next generation of martial artists "her way" against a male-dominated industry. Twenty-five years later, she is the National Team Coach for the AAU, and at 60 years old, Grandmaster Smith stepped back onto the mats one more time to win gold medals at the Masters Games in Italy and Korea.

Master Joseph Lupo Jr. chats with this phenomenal fighter, coach, and teacher to share her stories and experiences with the world and prove why it's never too late to put on the uniform.

Follow us on social media and wherever you consume your podcasts.

YouTube - https://youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=151905d467424ed2

Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

Official show sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone - Weichert Realty - Joseph Ferone - Real Estate Agent in Flushing, NY - Reviews | Zillow

Official show apparel - Best Martial Arts / MOOTO USA

USA Masters Team - https://usamastersteam.org

USA Masters Team donation link - Support Our Coaches and Make a Difference!

A Black Belt Way of Life is Produced by Press Record Studios - Press Record Studios | Your Content Creation Destination At The Landing 251