August 20th, 2014 by George Fitzgerald
Rest In Peace My Friend
It is incredible to believe that today, the 2oth August 2014, marks seven years since the sad passing of my friend and teacher, Sifu Larry Hartsell.
Sifu Larry was widely regarded as the premier fighter of those fortunate to be classed as original students of Bruce Lee. It is well known to the students of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do that Bruce Lee broke combat down into the four ranges of Kicking, Boxing, Trapping and Grappling. The serious students of Jeet Kune Do are also aware that the development of the grappling range techniques in this system were assigned to Larry Hartsell.
Larry Hartsell authored several books on the subject of Jeet Kune Do Grappling. “Entering to Trapping To Grappling and takedowns, Counters, and Reversals.” In addition he nine internationally distributed videotapes on the grappling arts. These books, videos and his skill in the grappling arts have resulted in Larry Hartsell being listed in the “Who’s Who in Martial Arts” and cover shots with numerous feature articles in Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt, Martial Arts Training, Inside Karate, Australasian Fighting Arts, and many others.
Larry Hartsell’s skill in hand-to-hand combat, his weapons training and his development of techniques in the grappling range led to a wide and varied range of professional experiences. With his training under Bruce Lee, his degree in criminology, his ten years of law enforcement experience, and his training under Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell was in wide demand as a professional bodyguard for celebrities like Mr. T of the A-Team fame, and as a trainer for both the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers.
Sifu Larry conducted two outstanding seminars in 2004 at my former school, the Tang Lung Combat Academy, and I felt immensely proud and privileged to be his seminar assistant in Los Angeles 2005 at Black Belt magazine’s first Festival of Martial Arts.
Sifu Larry Hartsell & Sifu George Fitzgerald
Not only was he a legendary Martial Artist, but also a genuinely warm-hearted person who is missed by countless people all over the world. Sifu Larry, God Bless You.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/1AKcTQvpWgs[/youtube]
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April 4th, 2013 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Works With Bruce Lee’s Original Training Dummy
Sifu George Fitzgerald & Bruce Lee’s Training Dummy
At Sifu Richard Bustillo’s IMB Academy in Los Angeles working out on a training dummy that belonged to the legendary Bruce Lee!!
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February 18th, 2013 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Works With Bruce Lee’s Original Grip/Forearm Trainer
How cool is this?
Sifu George Fitzgerald & Bruce Lee’s Grip Trainer
At my teacher’s, Richard Bustillo, IMB Academy in Los Angeles working out with the grip/forearm trainer that actually belonged to the legendary Bruce Lee!!
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December 18th, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Fitzgerald was recently featured in Luxurious Magazine
Sifu George was recently featured in Luxurious Magazine – the online and digital luxury magazine. As possibly the most visible luxury magazine in the world online, Luxurious Magazine uses it’s unique journalistic style to provide news, features, reviews and exclusive interviews. It provides impartial information to consumers and fans worldwide of luxury goods. The magazine features personalities and marques who are well-known or considered outstanding in the sphere of luxury.
My sincere thanks to Paul Godbold and the Team at Luxurious Magazine.
Sifu George Fitzgerald in Luxurious Magazine
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December 10th, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Video Except of Sifu George Fitzgerald’s M.A.I. Interview
In November 2012 Sifu George was interview by Martial Arts Illustrated magazine. The interviewed was conducted by Lakhvinder Madahar at his great school in Coventry – Total Martial Arts Academy.
The interview will appear in the first quarter of 2013.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/KHxJKsv7qUg[/youtube]
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October 25th, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
SIFU George’s Martial Arts World …
My Brand New Radio Show
I’m very excited as it’s almost time for the premiere of my new, weekly radio show – SIFU George’s Martial Arts World. The first show is due on air Sunday 28th October 2012 from 3 – 4 pm on guessradio.co.uk
Please try to tune in each week as I will be talking about some of the different styles I have studied and the teachers who have taught me. Basically, I’ll be sharing my thoughts on the world of Martial Arts and Self Defence … ideas and techniques that can save lives – maybe yours!
In addition to these tips and principles, I will also talk about the history and philosophy of the different arts, interviewing other Martial Artists and discussing any newsworthy items relevant to the world of Martial Arts.
One of the topics I will be discussing on this premiere show will be my Ten Principles of Self-Defence Survival, common-sense advice and tips that have proven themselves on the streets and battlefields of the world.
So, don’t forget to listen in this Sunday 28th October from 3 – 4 pm on Guess Radio.
Peter Terry (owner/producer at Guess Radio) & George Fitzgerald
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October 14th, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Fitzgerald is Interviewed on Guess Radio
What a busy week! I feel a little as I have been here, there and everywhere this week – but all in a positive way.
My good friend, celebrity hairdresser Stuart Phillips, kindly invited me to be interviewed on his weekly show at www.guessradio.co.uk and by all accounts, everything went really good and the show was well received. There was even listeners from afar afield as Chile and the Ukraine listening in!
Stuart Phillips & Sifu George Fitzgerald at Guess Radio
In fact, the very next day the station’s producer invited me back to the studio as he was intrigued by some of the things I talked about during the interview and now wants me to run my own radio show!!
So, starting on the 28th of October 2012 I will be broadcasting my own radio show every Sunday between 3 – 4 pm. I will be discussing all facets of the martial arts such as history, martial arts in the movies, self defense tips and much, much more. Please try to listen in as I think it will be both fun and informative.
I’m also in talks to appear regularly in Guess Radio’s upcoming web TV show!!
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October 1st, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Fitzgerald Says …
I am a fighter.
Every problem in life, every struggle, is merely a game for me
to enjoy and win.
I am an intelligent fighter, using the brain and instinct for
survival that was passed on to me by countless generations of
ancestors, a genetic gift, my inheritance.
I am a winner, because I refuse to accept defeat. I can only be
defeated if I give up, which I never shall.
Every success makes me stronger.
Every experience makes me wiser.
Every new fight gives me another chance to win.
And I enjoy winning.
To the timid, the approaching battle looks worse than to the
fighter. It is magnified by fear, but reduced and overcome by
courage.
I begin and finish a winner, because I know that all I have to
do is to stay strong and keep fighting, until I tire out the
opposition.
That is the rule of persistence and determination – that the last
man on his feet is the winner.
Merely being prepared and willing to fight is my greatest asset.
I shall always strive to be a winner.
Sifu George Fitzgerald
The Winner’s Creed
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October 1st, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Fitzgerald Says …
The most important thing in martial arts training isn’t how much time you spend practising, which system you learn or which school you attend. The most important thing is …
NOT QUITTING!
Here are some tips to help you be a winner, not a quitter :
- Be patient. Don’t neglect your family, friends or work; you’ll lose their support.
- Practise when it won’t interfere with your family’s routine
- Enjoy it! Yes, martial arts training is serious, but few students will continue to invest money and time in something that isn’t at least a little fun.
- Make martial arts practise a part of your normal routine. Then it’ll be easier to continue, and you’ll be less likely to quit.
- When you practise mix it up a little. Try to keep things interesting and fresh.
- Practise with someone who is enthusiastic. It will be more enjoyable, and his or her enthusiasm may rub off on you.
- Make sure you get enough rest. If you feel run down and tired, it will affect your attitude. It’s better to rest if you’re too tired to practise, then make it up when you’re rested.
- Don’t let personality conflicts interfere with your training. If you don’t like someone in class, stay away from that person as much as possible.
- Don’t compare yourself to your classmates. Learning is not a race. It’s better to know less but be good at what you do know than to know more and not be very good at any of it.
“Be a WINNER!”
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September 30th, 2012 by George Fitzgerald
Sifu George Fitzgerald says …
For as long as 5,000 years, people have studied the Martial Arts in order to protect themselves and their families against violence, either on the street or in combat. But today, even though violence is certainly still around us, the major threats to our lives aren’t those which arise from external assaults— from being attacked by some thug in a dark alley. Instead, our greatest threats are those which arise from internal assaults, from our inability to deal with the high levels of stress in our lives today as well as our inability to do the right thing.
Statistically, only 1% of those who die each year in this country, die as a result of violence. The vast majority, the other 99%, die from such things as heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, cancer, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, and AIDS.
It has been estimated that 54% of those under the age of 65 who die each year, die as a result of causes which were preventable! These needless deaths are attributable to what have been termed ‘unhealthy lifestyles.’ And, one of the unhealthy choices these people is failing to get sufficient exercise on a regular basis.
Regular exercise, health experts agree, is a major factor in combating this country’s top three killers—heart disease, cancer, and stroke— and probably a good many other afflictions as well.
“What greater gift could you possibly give to yourself or someone you love than the gift of a long, full, healthy, and exciting life?”
So, one of the major benefits of studying a Martial Art today is the regular exercise you or your child receives, and its attendant health benefits. Plus, the Martial Arts also instil healthy, life-long exercise habits which increase the quality and quantity of the life you or your children will be allowed to lead.
Martial Arts are one of the greatest ways to get proper exercise because they offer so many other unique benefits.
What greater gift could you possibly give to yourself or a loved one than the gift of a long, full, healthy and exciting life?
Congratulations if you are already involved in Martial Arts; you have made one of your best life decisions. If you are not yet involved in the Martial Arts, Sifu George Fitzgerald strongly suggests that you do yourself a huge favour and start today!
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