“Study strategy over the years and achieve the spirit of the warrior. Today is victory over yourself of yesterday; tomorrow is your victory over lesser men.” ~Miyamoto Musashi
The universe has a funny way of helping you realize your dreams. It was a year ago this time when the family and I moved to the Northwest Indiana region to start our lives after the military. My wife, Claudia, wasn’t sure how returning to her medical practice would be, but she’s found her groove and is doing what she was born to do in the Northwest-Indiana medical community. The kids continue to keep up the fire with their training on the mats, the field, and the classroom, making new friends along the way.
As for yours truly, I’ve had my reservations on getting into the short-term rental side of real estate, and our property portfolio continues to thrive. One of my biggest goals, starting my own academy after my first year back home, has come to fruition, not in the way I planned, but the best way possible for the family. I’m now teaching Brazilian Jiu-jitsu in Crete, Illinois. It’s not the dream I manifested, but I’m living the dream I’ve been given.
“The universe brings you what you need, when you need it.” ~Megan Boley
Quick Review
I hung up my boots after 20-years of military service at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June 2024, and moved the family to the small sleepy-hollow town of Crete, Illinois. The ride has been an adventurous one to say the least. The opportunities before us have been amazing from real estate, to Freemasonry, to martial arts, to education, and the list goes on. However, all the good could not be made possible without the hits we’ve taken in the past. Our family has been through it over the years. We have missed so many family events and struggled as a core group, which made us problem-solve collectively.
“Don’t take sides against the family.” ~Michael Corleone (Al Pacino), The Godfather
Leveling Up
The kids have completed their first year’s of elementary school in the area, started Taekwondo, competed, and are keeping up the fire as they blaze through the curriculum. It has been a privilege to watch them grow in a new martial art. Claudia and I have done the same. In addition to keeping our Jiu-jitsu skills sharp, Claudia and I have been taking Krav Maga classes, I’ve trained with an amazing group of jiujiteiros at 219 Submission Academy in Crown Point, Indiana; and have recently started a Jiu-jitsu program at Polaris Martial Arts in Crete, Illinois.
On July 8th, Professor Jason Steiner, first-degree black belt and black belt in the U.S. Army Modern Army Combatives Program, visited the academy and presented me with my third-stripe promotion on my brown belt, promoted Claudia to first-degree blue belt; and presented Master Mace Devries, the owner of Polaris Martial Arts, 7th-degree black belt in Taekwondo and TAC Krav Maga Black Belt with his first stripe promotion on his BJJ White Belt.
Next Chapter
The Jiu-jitsu program at Polaris Martial Arts is now affiliated with The Fighter’s Union, headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, founded by US Army Command Sgt. Major Alan Sutton and led under the instruction of professors: Jonathan Chase Richardson, Maybin Simfukwe Jr., and Jason Steiner. Sharing the gentle art with like-minded individuals has been a dream of mine for years. The value of training others to find their ground game on the mat is a privilege I do not take likely.
“He who has a why to live for can bear with almost anyhow.” ~Friedrich Nietzsche
The Value
Why do this? I’m in my forties, a military retiree, and can pick a long list of hobbies that do not require me to get my butt kicked on a regular basis. The real value in doing combat sports is finding balance and improving your resilience. If you don’t routinely put yourself in uncomfortable situations, you will not have the scar tissue built up to weather the storms when they arise. On the other side of the coin, you need to find outlets to keep you focused and connected to a strong community. You will rise or fall by the quality of people you keep in your inner circle. And remember this, a bad day on the mats is better than a good day on the couch. Roll easy, my friends.
One Team, One Family! ~Doc