Today on the podcast I sit down and talk with 5th degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt and retired federal judge, Jose Sanchez.

Jose began his martial arts practice in 1983, starting in Seido Karate in New York City, later moving to Massachusetts and beginning his Uechi-Ryu Karate training. He received his Shodan in 1988 and is testing for his 6th degree master's rank later this year. He also cross trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

During our interview Jose talks about how his martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate training has kept his body healthy and active over the years. We also discuss his varied professions as an air traffic controller, criminal defense lawyer, and judge and how the martial arts have aided him in keeping composed during high stress and high stakes situations.

I find every conversation I have with Jose to be engaging and intriguing and I know you will too. Please enjoy, Jose Sanchez.

Today I am sitting down with one of my Uechi-Ryu Karate mentors, Sensei Dan Dovidio.

Sensei Dan Dovidio began Uechi-Ryu Karate training in 1975 under the tutelage of Buzz Durkin. He is now a ninth degree black belt and the owner of Dan Dovidio's Karate in Londonderry, NH.

Dan Dovidio is a tournament champion who was ranked number one in the state of New Hampshire and has competed in Okinawa. Also is also an expert in the practical usage of pressure points and has a deep knowledge of how they apply to Uechi-Ryu Kata and bunkai.

We cover many topics during our conversation, including changing training priorities as you age, developing a positive attitude in and outside the dojo, and his time as a competitor.

Follow Sensei Dan Dovidio's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4t7DbzjVtfmcmQVPR7unsg

Today we have a delightful guest who I have trained with for many years, Uechi-Ryu Karate Black Dottie Endres.

Dottie began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 2006 under with Sensei Alan Kessler at the age of 62. She now trains with Sensei Buzz Durkin. This fall she is testing for her sixth degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt.

During our discussion we talk about starting martial arts training at an older age and how the martial arts have helped her in life.

Anyone who has ever trained with Dottie knows that while she is 81 years old, she is youthful in both mind and body and does not let her age stop her from keeping up with her martial arts practice. If you are new to the martial arts, or have been training for decades, I think you will find some extra motivation from our talk. Please enjoy, Dottie Endres.

Welcome to our podcast! Today we have on a Uechi-Ryu practitioner who was instrumental in my development as a martial artist and instructor, Sensei Marcus Traynor

Sensei Traynor began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1990 under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin. Since 1997 he has been the head instructor at Buzz Durkin's Karate School.

In this interview we talk about how the martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate has shaped his life, his growth as a teacher, and passing on the martial arts legacy

If you are someone who trains in the martial arts and desires to be a better teacher, then I think there is a lot to be gained from our conversation. Please enjoy, Sensei Marcus Traynor.

Neil Stone is a Uechi-Ryu Karate practitioner who I believe is one of the finest teachers I have worked with. Sensei Neil Stone began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1986 under Mike Rozumek. Today he trains under Uechi-Ryu Karate Grandmaster Buzz Durkin and runs a dojo in Hollis, NH. This fall he is testing for his 9th degree black belt.

In this interview we talk about his early days of training: From starting out practicing in the back of a grocery store, to being a part of one of the largest martial arts schools in the country. Mr. Stone also shares with us his insights in how martial arts training has evolved and we dive deep into his thoughts on how to be a successful teacher and school owner. 

If you are someone who loves karate and the martial arts, or desires to be a better teacher and sensei, then I think there is a lot to be gained from our conversation. Please enjoy, Sensei Neil Stone.

David Kelley is a Uechi-Ryu Karate Hanshi 9th Degree Black Belt under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin.

David Kelley began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice at the age of 17 in 1974 under Buzz Durkin - who remains his sensei to this day. David Kelley was in law enforcement for twenty five years, and credits the martial arts for giving him the confidence to face many challenging situations and individuals.

Anyone who has worked with David Kelley knows that he has a profound love for the martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate and is always striving to increase his martial knowledge. They also know his deep passion for sharing this knowledge with others and watching each student grow.

I enjoyed sitting down with Mr. Kelley and learning more about how he approaches his training and teaching and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Uechi-Ryu Sensei David Kelley.

Shihan Dunn is a lifelong martial arts practitioner, beginning his martial arts training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 11 and achieving the rank of Black Belt under Toyotaro Miyazaki. He is also a black belt in judo under Kyoshi Shiina and in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie. He is the owner of Gene Dunn's Shotokan Karate Dojo and Brooklyn BJJ.

During our conversation, we discuss how in his youth he competed worldwide at the highest level of karate sparring; however now dedicates his life to the spread of traditional martial arts through safe, effective, and non-competitive methods. We also discuss the importance of martial legacy and instilling core life values in our students through our martial art instruction and practice - whether training in karate or BJJ.

Anyone who has ever trained with Shihan Gene Dunn knows first hand how effective his BJJ and Karate teaching methods are and how insightful a conversation with him can be. I personally gained a myriad of knowledge from our talk, and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Shihan Gene Dunn.

Mr. Dunn is the host of The Gentle Art Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@UC-mcBwp2w6RNWsgUeGBjMkQ

Today on the podcast we have someone who has been incredibly instrumental to my martial arts and life in and out of the dojo - Sensei Bob Beal.

Mr. Beal began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice in 1975 under Richard Pinkham. Since 1989 he has been a student of Buzz Durkin. He is an eighth degree black belt and has been teaching at Mr. Durkin's school since 1993.

I have always been profoundly impressed by the attention Sensei Beal gives to each student in class, his work effort, and his consistency of character. In our interview we discuss he journey in the martial arts, its relation to calligraphy, music, poetry, and philosophy - all of which is a student of, and how his karate training has guided him both in and out of the dojo.

I have known Mr. Beal for well over twenty years, but even I learned some knew things about him and the martial arts during our talk. I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Sensei Bob Beal.

Originally Released July 2024

Today we have a special treat as I sit down and talk with Uechi-Ryu Karate pioneer Judy Durkin.

Sensei Judy Durkin began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1971 under George Mattson and is a ninth degree black belt. In 1974 she founded Buzz Durkin's Uechi Karate School with her husband, Buzz Durkin. This fall she is testing for her tenth degree Uechi-Ryu black belt and grandmaster title.

During our interview we sit down and talk about the early days of her training and how her steadfast training methodology has helped her keep up with her practice after fifty plus years. We also dive into how her karate has helped her stay calm under pressure and while dealing with difficult people.

Anyone who has ever trained with Mrs. Durkin knows that there are few things that she enjoys more than heavy conditioning while having a joyful conversation. I learned a lot from our thoughtful and enlightening conversation and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, sensei, and soon to be grandmaster, Judy Durkin.

Originally Released June 2024

Soon to be promoted Uechi-Ryu 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster Leyn Burrows shares the story of how he started his Uechi-Ryu training. From his time growing up in Bermuda, training with Al Wharton and George Mattson, to becoming the senior student of Buzz Durkin's Uechi-Ryu Karate School. Leyn Burrows also shares his deep insight in how Uechi-Ryu karate training taught him how to have compassion for his fellow man and helped him navigate the cooperate world.

This fall, Leyn Burrows is expected to be promoted Uechi-Ryu 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster title. Leyn Burrows is a student of Sensei Buzz Durkin and is the Sempai of the Uechiryu Butokukai. He began his training in 1971 under the tutelage of Sensei Al Wharton. Listed among his many karate achievements, Mr. Burrows is a former NAUKA Sparring Champion (Black Belt). He has a broad knowledge of Uechi hard/soft methods and bunkai and loves sharing his teaching and philosophy.