It is hard to believe that today is the 10th anniversary of the all-too early passing of one of Martial Arts greatest exponents, my friend and teacher, the legendary Larry Hartsell.
Widely regarded as one of Bruce Lee’s toughest and most accomplished students, Sifu Larry was a phenomenal fighter, yet beneath that toughness lay the heart of a genuinely gentle and very special person. I feel blessed and deeply honored to have known him, be taught by him and continually inspired by his memory.
Here is a video I created in his memory several years ago. Rest In Peace my friend.
If ever you walk past a seafood restaurant , perhaps on a seaside pier, you may see a big barrel, without a lid, that is full of live crabs. On seeing this you could be forgiven in thinking that the crabs could easily jump out and fall back into the sea.
But you would be wrong. If you spent some time observing them, you’d be surprised to notice that, every time one of the crabs tried to get to the edge of the barrel to escape, all the other ones would pull him back in.
Can you recognize these type of people around you? Think of all the times your so-called friends would talk you out of something that you wanted to do, something you knew was important to you.
Who are the crabs in your life? Who and what is holding you back from doing what you want? When you decide to work-out, go on a diet, or do something worthwhile, who and what stops you?
There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all, except for just two words every ten years.
After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk and said, “Bed … hard!”
After another ten years had passed this same monk went to the head monk and this time said, “Food … stinks!”
Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk, this time saying, “I … quit!”
“Well, I can see why,” replied the head monk. “All you ever do is complain!!”
SIFU George Says…
“ I believe that we have the choice to either focus on the positive aspects of our lives or dwell on the negatives. The monk in this story chose the negatives and therefore was not accomplishing much – he was basically wasting his time. Although he spoke only six words in thirty years, he did nothing but complain the whole time – in his head. That’s why he had nothing better to say when he had the chance.”
Here I am with my good friend and student, Stuart Phillips. This was December 2013 when Stuart was about to do a blindfolded haircut on former footballer, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock. We joked that I was there in the event of anything going wrong, but of course there was no chance of that happening. Stuart is a true master of his craft and a genuine celebrity hairdresser.
He has had some amazing clients, is the official hairdressing writer for on-line OK Magazine and is the recipient of multiple awards. This year alone he won two awards at the EnglishHair & Beauty Awards – ‘Best London Salon of the Year‘ and ‘Best UK Salon of the Year’ … he received the award for ‘Best Salon in London’ at the London Lifestyle Awards2014 … and most recently he was declared the ‘Best Male Hairstylist in the UK’ at the International Achievers Award 2014!!
A true Warrior Spirit can help anyone achieve all of their goals in life and Stuart is a Warrior!!!
George Fitzgerald & his student Stuart Phillips, Celebrity Hairdresser.
Sunday 31st August 2014 marked the second anniversary of the sad passing of Martial Arts immortal, Joe Lewis. The first heavyweight World Kickboxing Champion, twice elected the Greatest Karate Fighter of All Time … and NUMEROUS other accolades, his genius is truly missed.
I am proud and fortunate that I am among those lucky enough to be one of his Black Belts, his student … and most importantly, a friend. Rest In Peace Joe.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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