One of the most ridiculous things in the world of Martial Arts is the high number of Masters, Grand Masters, Great Grand Masters, Supreme Grand Masters, blah blah blah … who live off these titles and don’t even train anymore (and that’s if they ever really did in the first place!!) 😡
However, there are still some of us who have shed genuine blood, sweat and tears over MANY years of harsh training, resulting in GENUINE accomplishment and recognition. The very fact that I personally have been certified by several of the world’s greatest ever Martial Artists in a variety of disciplines, makes it absolutely mandatory that I train harder than ever before, both as a sign of respect and gratitude to my teachers, and most of all … so that I can continue to look in the mirror with my head held high and KNOW that I am indeed a TRUE Martial Artist!!
This past Bank Holiday Monday I participated in a test for Black Belt under the legendary Bill Wallace, Superfoot himself.
It was a very grueling test which (pardon the pun) really stretched my comfort zone and beyond. Anyway, the sweat, pain and ‘almost’ tears were completely worth every second, because I can very proudly say that I am now a Bill ‘Superfoot’ Wallace Black Belt!!
In fact, I am the only person outside of the USA and Canada to have been personally promoted to Black Belt by both Joe Lewis and Bill Wallace. Another personal milestone on my Martial Arts journey.
My heartfelt gratitude to Bob Sykes and Paul Barnett for inducting me into the 5-years anniversary of Martial ArtsIllustrated‘s Hall of Fame 2017.
These events are not only a welcome ‘pat on the back’ for many years of devotion to the Martial Arts, but also a wonderful opportunity to spend time with like-minded people … seeing old friends and making new ones. I truly feel blessed that the Martial Arts have been an intrinsic part of my life since 1973
PS: A sincere Thank You to Paul for inviting me to the stage to help present many of the awards to my fellow Martial Artists; a great added honour.
It was a nice surprise to go for a pizza with my great friend Bobby Singh Rayatt last night, but nothing prepared me for the real surprise when he, totally unexpectedly while we walked around London’s Chinatown, presented me with my nomination for a Martial Arts Illustrated Hall of Fame Honor … the bemused look on my face says it all.
Thank you Bobby for putting such thought into the surprise and of course, my sincere gratitude to Bob Sykes and Paul Barnett of Martial Arts Illustrated, the UK’s most successful Martial Arts magazine…. see you next month!
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.
🙏
Tags: bruce lee, celebrity trainer, elite private training, executive self defence, george fitzgerald, guess radio, ip man, jeet kune do, joe lewis, karate, kickboxing, kung fu, martial art seminars, martial arts, millionaire, millionaire warriors club, muay thai, radio show, self defense, sifu george, sifu george fitzgerald, stuart phillips, thai boxing, wing chun
