The Path Revealed
My introduction to the Martial Arts didn’t come about because I was the victim of bullying, or because of a burning desire to fight in the ring, it began with a childish fantasy. A fantasy to have super powers like the heroes in the comics I loved to read, though I knew it would never happen. Then came a defining moment. I saw Jackie Chan in The Big Brawl punch, kick and do things I had never believed were possible. I knew then the Martial Arts was the way to make my fantasy a reality.
So, at 12 years of age, without the slightest clue about anything, I walked into the local Tae Kwon Do club. I trained for a couple of years and whilst my skills improved it just didn’t seem the right fit. I changed to a new club where the training was more intense and “real” and for a while I thought it was the place for me. It was around this time I noticed a group of guys training together at my local gym. They were hard looking men and all wore the Bushido Cross and Dragon tattoo. They were hitting bags and sparring like nothing I had ever seen. I thought to myself I want to be like them. Asking around I found out they were all bouncers and trained in Zen Do Kai. The word was though that they were a bunch thugs that would go out of their way to look for fights and for me to steer clear. So, I did. It was also around this time football and girls took my interest and the desire to achieve super powers faded along with my training.
For nearly 20 years I ate, drank, smoked and got fat. I was grossly unfit and developed high blood pressure. I had 2 herniated discs in my lower back and virtually no core strength. After turning 40 I knew I had to make some changes or my body and quality of life would continue deteriorating rapidly. Looking back, I realise the truth in the old saying “when the student is ready the teacher will appear”. Enter Kyl Reber.
I had met Kyl, and his wife Helen, a couple of years before I began training. I noticed he wore a gold Bushido and we spoke briefly about Zen Do Kai. I began “stalking” Kyl ,as Helen would put it, finding out as much as I could about him and his club. It was interesting that his was the only club I could find in Brisbane when 20 years ago Zen Do Kai seemed so dominant having a club in just about every suburb and they certainly didn’t appear the thugs I was lead to believe.
I eventually phoned Kyl and said I’d like to train with him. I’ll never forget that first training session. It started with a brown belt by the name of Linda Lonton teaching me the basics of punching. Not the rigid stance, punch from hip of Tae Kwon Do but boxing style jab, cross , hook and uppercut. Next I paired up with another brown belt for sparring. I threw out a kick that was subsequently stopped with a never before encountered leg check. A loud cracking sound came from my toe and Lance Ross leaned in and said ‘that’s gonna hurt”. It did, for about 6 months and still gives me grief from time to time. He then proceeded to punch me in the face. Where was the safe 2 to 3 feet distance of my non-contact Tae Kwon Do sparring? What had I got myself into?? Zen Do Kai was then followed by a BJJ class. Sweaty men, squashing, twisting and choking me with no concern for my personal space and made far more awkward when I inadvertently made eye contact. I soon found out this is frowned upon.
The session ended with me vomiting uncontrollably from the little balcony of the Graceville Scout Hall and Kyl telling me which side to vomit on so the neighbour wouldn’t complain. Afterwards, whilst sitting there recovering, Kyl sat beside me and with a cheery voice said “So, have I got a new student?” Before realising, I said yes.
That night changed my life completely. I trained with an intensity and commitment I had never had when I was younger. I progressed through the coloured ranks and earned my black belt and Bushido Cross. I was now part of the family, the brotherhood.
In the short time since I started training I have met and trained with legends that I had only read about or seen on TV. Men like Soke Bob Jones and Soke Richard Norton, the men who created the style. To be able to speak with them and listen to how and why it all began and to learn about their lives and from their experiences is an honour and a privilege. One that very few Martial Artists of other styles will ever have. Men like Kyoshi Kyl Reber, Kyoshi Brad Ross and Kyoshi Bruce Maile. Men who have taught me what it means to be not only a true Martial Artist but how to be a better man. I am eternally grateful to call these men friend and brother.
So, after 33 years of searching I come to the realisation that the true super power lies not in the ability to punch or kick. It lies in following the path of the true Martial Artist. It lies in striving to be a better husband to my wife ,a better father to my kids and a better member of my community. By passing this knowledge on to my Zen Do Kai brothers and sisters I hope to do my small part in seeing this great style continue to grow stronger and stronger.
And so now finally, the path, my path, is revealed and my journey begins….
