Lara Lauritz’ karate autobiography could be called “Momma Needs to Kick Stuff: Why a School Psychologist Wants to Earn Her Black Belt”. Ms. Lauritz has been a karate student for four years and will soon test for certified Black Belt with her youngest son. She’s also been working with elementary-age kids for more than 25 years and has many personal and professional insights into the connection between martial arts and effective learning for kids. And just to spice things up, she talks about how karate combinations are like water slides. Seriously. Tune in for some thoughts from a karate mother like no other.

Mr. Julius Tabert is a black belt of the old school. Member of the German National karate competition team in the 1980s, he grew up grinding the proverbial 12 miles uphill (both ways) to train in traditional martial arts. He went on to win international kumite championships, and has since become an American citizen and raised two kids through to black belt. Mr. Tabert continues to embody the spirit of a karateka in family, business, and life philosophy.

2nd-degree black belt and Ripple Effect Martial Arts instructor Mr Ben Stott gets personal on his own Black Belt journey. He talks about what it’s like to train as a family, how he got a feel for karate as a (once) “unathletic” white belt, sparring against other styles, and how he gained confidence through the martial arts. And Cobra Kai. And historic Cameros. Dive in!

Master Maggie Messina, Brooklyn native, 7th degree black belt, and founder of TaeCole Taekwondo in Albertson, New York, shares her thoughts on martial arts competition, women in the marital arts, teaching kids who’ve become Harvard grads, and the importance of clean bathrooms.

Mr Joel Thompson is a 3rd-degree Black Belt under the Jhoon Rhee system of American Freestyle Taekwondo. He’s also a college student studying education, and a self-taught drummer and musician. We talk about what it was like to grow up with marital arts, the lineage of Grandmaster Rhee, and what to do if you burst into tears on the karate tournament floor.