5th-degree black belt Master Alex Jarvis has spent more than three decades training and teaching martial arts styles that include Shotokan and Karakido karate, American Freestyle Tae Kwon Do, and the Filipino art of Pekiti Tirsia Kali. He’s become a phenomenally talented martial artist and instructor in the process, and it all started with a glow-in-the-dark pair of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle underpants. Get the full story from Master Jarvis on the 32nd edition of the Ripple Effect podcast!

Awarded his 10th-degree black belt in 2014, Grandmaster John Worley began his martial arts career in Fort Worth, Texas in the late 1960s, alongside his brother Pat Worley, one of the top karate competitors in the nation. Grandmaster Worley earned his 1st-degree black belt under legendary instructors J. Pat Burleson and Allen Steen, both students of Jhoon Rhee, the “Father of American Tae Kwon Do.” He followed his brother to Washington, D.C. in 1970 to run a Jhoon Rhee Institute school in Annandale, Virginia, training directly under Grandmaster Rhee as an instructor and going on to found National Karate in Minnesota.

Meet the Ogles, 3rd-degree black belts and the brains and bones behind Ripple Effect Martial Arts’ newest school in Broomfield, Colorado. Mr and Mrs Ogle have trained independently and alongside their kids as martial artists for over a decade, and they share stories of where they began, the challenges of coaching students, and the inspiration to train new black belts.

You’re in for a podcast fest—Mr Bobby Verant puts the Mr Mark Brady’s nose to the grindstone in this (payback) interview on what it means to train, write, teach and create film for the martial arts. Mr Brady is a parent and professional writer and has been schooled by Mr Verant in many different formats. If you’re a black belt aspirant or friend to anyone who trains, please listen in for some perspective on what it’s like to live and work in the martial arts.

This podcast is simply straightforward: Martial arts training benefits women. Pre-teens, teens, young women, women of all eras. Ms. Fox provides a testament to how black belt training keeps women as safe as possible. Awareness is a key, and self-awareness (including self-esteem and self-worth) is essential to a person’s health and thriving in the course of life. In terms of strengthening physical as well as mental balance, Ms. Fox speaks to her own experience over the black belt journey as it affects her life and the lives of other women.

How does karate help kids grow up? Relate to other people? Teach kids? Earn a degree? These are all topics that Ms Allie Hayes and Mr Cole Worth address in the latest Ripple Effect Martial Arts podcast. These black belts talk about past embarrassments, martial arts accomplishments, and the challenges and rewards of teaching kids how to step out on the stage and present themselves to the world. We also get into painting, behavioral therapy, neurology and computer engineering. Yes indeed. Ever wanted to know what black belt training can turn into, check into this.

“Spinning [kicks] are illegal.” “Things you’ll encounter in life are very unexpected.” These are the ideas discussed in this podcast, which invokes the thoughts of two neighboring parents of young kids in the midst of Black Belt training. One mom’s a nurse and photographer, one’s a dad who’s vigilant about his son’s progression into the world. “The exercise is very good,” Ms. Laura Greene says. Mr. Bashur agrees: “When you stop moving, that’s when you get old. [Ripple Effect] keeps you moving.” Listen on for a true testimonial m two Black Belt parents.

Mrs. Carlota Ponds and her grandson Mekhi (age 4) have been involved with Ripple Effect Martial Arts’ Little Ripples program for just a year, but she says the benefits have been amazing. That’s not just for Mekhi, either. Learning legit punches and kicks and blocks has helped reinforce his natural inclination to protect his sister. Grandpa’s karate practice with Mekhi has helped the older gentleman’s strength, balance and flexibility. And the entire Ripple Effect community has boosted Mekhi’s confidence and helped him make new friends. Hear Mrs. Carlota’s praise of her future black belt grandson as well as her own incredible backstory in Episode 25 of the Ripple Effect Martial Arts podcast!

Instructor Ms Rebecca Quillen is a teacher, parent, and martial arts trainer.

A couple hundred years ago, Englishman William Blake wrote a volume of poetry titled “Songs of Innocence, Songs of Experience.” No one speaks the truth like the innocence of youth. But a life lived with experience, challenges, and trials develops a more mature understanding in the heart, body and mind. That’s an introduction to Annalise, who started training to be a black belt before she even began kindergarten. Four years on, she earned her black belt rank this past May, culminating in a three-day black belt test in Estes Park. Here Annalise talks about how martial arts has helped her speak out, challenge herself, support and lead a team of kids and adults, and persevere.