It is appropriate that I add some background information on who I am, and my fitness qualifications. My foundation lies in the practice of martial arts. Since this is the Internet, it is common practice for people to "pad" their resumes, paint pictures of imaginary deeds, and create an air of superiority. I don't play that game.

The picture on my profile page was taken on my 50th birthday. Physical fitness has always been an important aspect of my life. I remember vividly exercising each morning in front of the TV with Jack Lalanne. I was small and did not process the physical attributes needed to compete in high school sports. Instead, I joined the choir and trained in private. I would often find myself browsing through books stores looking for information on weight training, martial arts, and fitness in general. One thing that was apparent, a great percentage of the books on the shelves were generally fluff, written to make a buck. I took what I thought was valuable information, and discard the rest.

As a young boy growing up in a rural community, I was amazed and fascinated by the TV character Kato, played by Bruce Lee. In 1966, the Green Hornet television series introduced the Western World to the Oriental fighting style Bruce Lee called "Gong Fu". This martial arts phenomena continued to accelerate in 1972 when Raymound Chow, a Hong Kong film producer, presented Bruce Lee in The Chinese Connection. In 1973, Bruce Lee starred in three other films: Fists of Fury, Return of the Dragon, and Enter the Dragon. It was from these seeds that my love for the martial arts grew.

In 1976, I entered the University of Wisconsin at LaCrosse. It was here I first received formal training in the art of Taekwondo Karate under the supervision of Instructor Mr. Kirk Notch. After one year, Mr Notch graduated and the karate classes disbanded. I graduated from the University in 1980 earning a Bachelor of Science Degree in the field of History and Social Science.

My love for the martial arts continued. In 1990, I discovered the writings of Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming. Through his writings, I was introduced to Chi Kung, Chin Na, Baguazhang, and Hsing Yi Chuan. These concepts would become a focal point of my continued training.

In 1995, I once again began formal training in the martial arts at the Tang Soo Karate Academy in Las Vegas, Nevada under the supervision of Master Dominick Giacobbe Founder and Chairman of the International Tang Soo Do Organization (I.T.O.)

In 1999, at the age of 45, I earned the rank of First Degree Black Belt. It is my desire to continue developing martial art skill and knowledge. While attending the Tang Soo Karate Academy, I had the singular opportunity to meet and study with Grand Master Jin Chuan Lu of the People's Republic of China. The Grand Master is renowned for his knowledge of a rare, ancient form of meditation called Tai Ji Chi Dao. I successfully completed the basic course.

Presently, I am a registered First Degree Black Belt with the W*O*R*L*D Black Belt Bureau (WBBB). Founded in 1972 by Master Kang H. Rhee, the WBBB is comprised of martial artists from all ranks, styles, systems and associations.

I regret I have not been training these past couple years with the vigor and enthusiasm I have in the past. You get older, and you get lazy. This isn't an excuse. It is an observation. I think many of us can agree with this. The sad thing is, the older we get the greater the need to continue moving forward becomes. With age, the wheels tend to start wobbling sooner and with greater alarm.

The stamina goes, the gut flops over, and we find ourselves in a situation where we start believing it is too late to make a difference. I know I had the fire in the past. For a man of 53, I am in great shape. I can not rest on this knowledge because I refuse to lull myself into a sense of false security. I HAVE to get back on the horse and start training like I did when I was a younger man. I need to rekindle the passion I had for fitness when I was a young boy watching Jack Lalanne. I have to train like a maniac just as I did back in Las Vegas when I was 40, competing with people half my age. This is the secret to health ... PASSION.

This Hub is about passion. Although my foundation rests with the martial arts, the core essentials of fitness apply to anyone in any sport or physical activity. In upcoming Hubs, I will present exercise to strengthen the body. I am presently working on the first instalment which focuses on the abdominals. Until then, take care.