This is an inspirational story, the kind that warms your heart, the kind we need more of, the kind that all parents should share with their children. Jon “Stretch” Vail studied at the Karate Institute of America back in the 80s before he headed off to college. He and his lovely wife, Janice, have twin children—Jenny and Ryan. They’re cool kids, really cool kids. After looking at these photos, check out their amazing story of entrepreneurialism and generosity at this link.

Kiado-Ryu Passages & Principles There can be no excellence without effort. We live in an age with effort waning With riches expected sans work, But in all reality and actuality There can be no excellence without effort. The Black Belt Book of Life: Secrets of a Martial Arts Master Principle #18; page 73 © Richard Andrew King

Greg “Maddog” Bendel executes a pose during his Green belt test in 1987 at the KIA. He attained his 1st Dan Black Belt on 15 December 1990, becoming the 14th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America. Greg continued his studies and earned his 2nd Dan Black Belt degree. Maddog was an instructor at the KIA, as well as being a martial arts open tournament champion. He was a stickler for detail and precision, which no doubt assisted him in his professional career.

These times we live in are getting scarier and scarier by the day. Are you prepared to defend yourself or your loved ones? Would you know what to do and how to do it? Are you simply living in hope that you’ll always be safe? Are you prepared to be in the “I-wish-I had-taken-a-self-defense-class” category? One of the mottos taught at the Karate Institute of America is, If you fail to prepare you prepare to fail.

This week’s photo features not just any psycho, but the KIA’s own Psycho, which is the callsign for James Griffin, the 60th Black Belt of the Kiado-Ryu. James’ sister is Anna “Wildcat” Griffin, the 55th Black Belt of the Karate Institute of America. Pictured with Psycho and Mr. King is Mr. Griffin, the patriarch of the wonderful Griffin family, and partner with Mrs. Griffin, its matriarch. The Griffins have been stalwart supporters of the KIA for decades, and we are eternally grateful they have shared their hearts, minds, spirits, character and lives with us.

Congratulations to Kim “Cultivator” Thomas and Tristan “Raptor” Ligtvoet for their extremely noteworthy accomplishments on 15 December 2015, Tuesday. Kim Thomas has now earned the distinguished title, “Master Thomas” for achieving the rank of 5th Dan Black Belt. He is the first student in the history of the Karate Institute of America since its founding in 1979 to achieve such an enormous goal. Kim began his KIA journey in August of 2001 at the age of 45, received is 1st Dan Black Belt rating in July of 2007, and has not let up since, finalizing the “Master Dan” phrase of his journey at age 59.