

Everyday Martial Artist
Brian Doucette
Every week we will chat with a different martial artist and hear their story.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 5, 2023 • 44min
Chris Casamassa – Red Dragon – Ep96
Chris Casamassa started his martial arts journey at the age of 4.Over a 10 year stretch on the tournament circuit he was a 4-time national champion in forms,he won 2 national weapons titles and was a top 5 rated middleweight fighter.
After retiring from competition he focused on his film and television career with roles inChina O’Brien, Shootfighter, Walker Texas Ranger, Martial Law, as Scorpion in Mortal Kombat and somany more.
He currently holds the rank of 9th Degree Black Belt in Red Dragon Karate, the style foundedby his father.
Please enjoy his story.
On Insta @chriscasamassa
On TIk @Chriscasamassa
Home – Chris Casamassa
Red Dragon Karate – Serving the Community for 56 years!
Chris Casamassa – IMDb

Dec 29, 2022 • 42min
Charlie Lee – Jhoon Rhee System – EP95
Charlie is a founding partner of Moore & Lee LLP. He practices in all areas of litigation, focusingin construction, healthcare, general and professional liability, gaming, and corporate & commerciallaw. In which he has negotiated over 2500 settlements.
He started martial arts in 1969 with Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee, becoming an instructor in theJhoon Rhee system. He even taught martial arts to pay for his college at Virginia Tech.
He started competing on the NASKA circuit in 1983 and became a world champion in only 3 years.He has taught seminars all over the country, appeared on numerous magazine covers and promotedThe World Series of Martial Arts.
Enjoy my interview with Charlie Lee.
Moore & Lee, LLP | Charlie C. H. Lee (mooreandlee.com)
Grandmaster Jhoon Rhee’s memorial service 5/8/18 on Vimeo
The Great Charlie Lee – Martial Arts History Twilight Zone Form – YouTube

Dec 22, 2022 • 46min
Joao Crus – Jiu-Jitsu – EP94
Joao was born in Brasilia, Brazil and moved to Rio de Janeiro was he was 17. In his youth he was very active in swimming.
As part of the sports and nutrition world he was a top sales rep for Optimum Nutrition and startedhis own store in 1999. During this time he developed a friendship with Carlson Gracie.
He has been teaching martial arts in the Austin Area for 2 decades and has operated his own schoolfor 16 years, and now owns and operates 2 schools in the austin area.
He is considered an expert on teaching children , with many top instructors seeking his advice.
He has created numerous DVDs and video resources for instructors.
When not teaching he enjoys outdoor activities such as rock climbing, hiking and swimming.
Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu – The Best Jiu-Jitsu School in Town (joaocrusbjj.com)
Joao Crus Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Austin | Austin TX | Facebook
Joao Crus BJJ (@joaocrusbjj) • Instagram photos and videos
Home – JustJuit (justjiuit.com)
Black Belt Parenting | Parenting Tips

Dec 15, 2022 • 52min
Jodi Harrison-Lee – Find Your Strength – EP93
Jodi is an author, teacher, mother, and 5th degree martial arts master.She has a bachelor’s degree in social sciences and communication and a master’s degree in education.She taught 5th and 6th grade special education for 10 years.
Her and her husband, (Who is an 8th dan Grandmaster) together with their three children,own and run a martial arts studio, “The Martial Way”, in Southern California.They empower their community through the teachings of taekwondo and hapkido.
Her vision is a world where all people are safe and respected.Her mission is to empower women to FEEL and BE safe, strong, and able to defend themselves.Her life experience, paired with over 30 years of martial arts training,helps her take others from a feeling of insecurity to one of personal strength.
Amazon.com: Find Your Strength: The Essential Self-Defense Handbook For Every College Woman: 9781513634678: Harrison-Lee, Jodi: Books
https://themartialwaykicks.spblive.net

Dec 8, 2022 • 50min
Pat Worley – USA Karate – Ep92
Pat has been involved in martial arts for over 55 years. He currently holds a 10th Degree black belt in Karate and a 2nd degree black belt in BJJ.
He has been a competitor, Instructor, School owner and Promoter.
A top ranked Karate National Competitor, a 3 time Black Belt Masters World Champ in BJJ.
He has promoted over 1500 people to Black Belt in Karate.
Owned multiple school locations for 46 years.
Promoted the Minnesota State Karate Championships, Promoted full contact Karate Events.
Published Sport Karate Magazine.
Was a consultant on the design of Jhoon Rhee’s safety gear and the first person to wear pads incompetition.
He has been featured in numerous publications.
And so much more… Please enjoy his story.
USA Karate (usa-karate.net)
Alliance Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Minneapolis – The home of team Alliance in Minnesota (alliancebjjmn.com)
Our Founders (usa-karate.net)

Dec 1, 2022 • 59min
Isaac Florentine – Director – Ep91
Isaac grew up in Israel and regularly visited the cinema with Bruce Lee being an idol andinfluence.
He started training in Martial Arts at an early age, and has trained in numerous styles, opening hisown school in 1979.
As a young man he completed mandatory service is the Israeli Army for 3 years before studying Film & television at Tel Aviv University. His first short film in 1987 was called Farewell terminator,and won 7 awards At Mograbee Film Festival.
In 1988 he moved to America to pursue a career in film with his first break coming after joining theproduction team on Mighty Morphin Power Rangers as a stunt coordinator.
In 1992 he directed his first feature film Desert Kickboxer.
He has gone on to direct such notable projects as Ninja, Special Forces (Scott Adkins),Undisputed II and III, WMAC Masters and many more.
Please enjoy his story…
Isaac Florentine – IMDb
Isaac Florentine (dot) com

Nov 24, 2022 • 1h 2min
Rondy McKee – SISU Kwan – Ep90
Rondy was a senior designer in Advertising/Marketing firms in Detroit for over 10 yearseventually opening her own agency.
After getting involved in martial arts it ended up becoming a very important part of her life.She lived and trained in Korea for 2 years then returned to the US and opened her own school.
She is a speaker & Presenter and has given talks all over the world.
She has appeared on the cover of martial arts magazines and was named Woman of the Year by Black Belt in 2019.
She has also been inducted into numerous Martial Arts Hall of Fames & won countless awards.
in 2019 She retired and gifted her school to her loyal students.
She currently lives in Puerta Vallarta where she teaches multiple martial arts for fun andcontinues her own training as well.
She holds numerous belts and certifications including an 8th degree Black Belt in TKD
Please enjoy her story!
LINEAGE | WHITE TIGER TAEKWONDO & MARTIAL ARTS (whitetigertkd.com)
WHITE TIGER MEXICO | WHITE TIGER TAEKWONDO & MARTIAL ARTS (whitetigertkd.com)
White Tiger School Tour – YouTube

Nov 17, 2022 • 1h 1min
Stephen K Hayes – To-Shin-Do – Ep89
Stephen was born in Wilmington, DE and raised in Dayton, OH.He attended Miami University in Oxford, OH and left with with a degree in Speech and Theatre.
He has spent his entire adult life in the pursuit of perfection through the study of theAsian martial arts and spiritual traditions, living and traveling throughout North America, Japan,Europe, the Arctic, China, Tibet, Nepal, and India.
Promoting the benefits of Life Mastery Through Martial Arts, he travels the world as teacher,seminar leader, and lecturer, inspiring others by translating his extensive background in martial artsand meditation into practical lessons for handling the pressures and uncertainties of life.
He has written several books over the years and appeared Movies and in countless magazines.
He is married and has 2 daughters.
Please enjoy his story.
http://www.stephenkhayes.com/
https://www.ninjaselfdefense.com/
https://www.imdb.com/name/nm00371230/

Nov 10, 2022 • 56min
Lynnette Love – Olympic Gold Medal – Ep88
Lynnette was born in Illinois but grew up in Detroit. As a child she mainly played basketballand was the captain of her team and was named all city and all state. She planned on playingbasketball in the olympics, but her knees disagreed…
After High School she got involved in Tae Kwon Do and in 1988 won a GOLD MEDAL in Seoul, KoreaShe was an olympian again in 1992 and took home the bronze.
In the mid 1990’s she appeared on a TV show that my listeners are very familiar with…WMAC Masters.
She currently teaches at Andrew Airforce Base and Bolling Airforce Base as well as somecounty rec programs.
In her free time she loves to travel with family and friends and play golf.
Please enjoy her story!
HOME | lovestkd (lovestaekwondo.com)
Lynnette Love – IMDb
SEOUL U.S.A. THE MOVIE – Home (webs.com)

Nov 3, 2022 • 46min
Phillip Ahn – Mortal Kombat II – Ep87
Phillip Ahn is a board certified family physician who has served the needy in the south side ofchicago his entire career. He has made over 25 mission trips to developing countries inLatin America, Africa and the Caribbean.
He is the author of the books Mortal Doctor and Mortal Discipline.
Phillip is best known for his portrayal of the character Shang Tsung in the popular video gameMortal Kombat II.
Please enjoy his story!
Mortal Doctor: A Story of Transformation, Discipline and Purpose: Ahn M.D., Phillip, Hanson, Shelly, Mack, Doc: 9781071304556: Amazon.com: Books
Mortal Discipline – Kindle edition by Ahn M.D., Phillip, Hanson, Shelly, Hanson, Shelly. Children Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.
Phillip Ahn – IMDb
Phillip Ahn, M.D. | Mortal Kombat Wiki | Fandom
Mortal Kombat II – Wikipedia


