

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

Jul 18, 2024 • 41min
Jeff Patterson – The Yielding Warrior – Ep176
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Jeff Patterson, a multifaceted individual who wears many hats: martial artist, author, entrepreneur, father, husband, adventurer, and mentor. Growing up in a small town in Oregon, Jeff’s love for the outdoors was evident in his passion for fishing, BMX, motorcycles, and baseball.
After high school, Jeff joined the Marine Corps, after that becoming the first in his extended family to attend college. His dedication to martial arts became a central part of his life, leading him to found Northwest Fighting Arts three decades ago. Since then, he has taught over 25,000 students, sharing his knowledge and passion with the community.
Please enjoy Jeff’s story.
Portland Martial Arts MMA Training Schools In Portland OR 503-235-3435 (nwfighting.com)
The Yielding Warrior
Free Book Plus Shipping – The Yielding Warrior

Jul 11, 2024 • 1h
John Will – Redcat Academy – Ep175
Join us as we delve into the remarkable journey of John Will, a martial arts veteran who has been training since his school years. His passion for martial arts has taken him around the globe, culminating in his triumph at the first World Pencak Silat Championships in Jakarta in 1982, where he won the Gold medal.
John is also the founder, publisher, and editor of Australia’s premier martial arts magazine, Blitz. Beyond this, he has authored numerous technical volumes and training manuals, focusing on grappling methodology and specialized training techniques.
A true pioneer in the martial arts community, John was a strong advocate for cross-training well before it became mainstream. In 1998, he achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first BJJ black belt in Australia.
With over 100 seminars conducted annually for the past two decades, John is a highly sought-after trainer both in Australia and internationally.
Today, he resides in Geelong, Victoria, where he and his wife run the renowned Redcat Academy.
Tune in and enjoy my interview with the legendary Mr. John Will.
Geelong Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mixed Martial Arts MMA BJJ Jujitsu Shootfighting self defence Kids adults women all the family (redcatacademy.com.au)

Jul 4, 2024 • 58min
Keith Martin-Smith – Integrated Martial Arts – Ep174
In this episode, we’re joined by Keith Martin-Smith, a seasoned content strategist, book coach, and ghostwriter who also dedicates himself to men’s coaching. With over 30 years of experience in martial arts, Keith is an ordained Zen priest and the founder of Integrated Martial Arts in Boulder, Colorado.
Keith is an accomplished author of five books, including “The Heart of Zen” and “When The Buddha Needs Therapy”. His work often appears on Integrallife.com, where he is a frequent contributor.
Tune in for an insightful conversation with Mr. Keith Martin-Smith as we explore his diverse experiences and unique perspectives.
Keith Martin-Smith (keithmartinsmith.com)
Integrated Martial Arts

Jun 27, 2024 • 1h 11min
David Meyer – BJJ – Ep173
David Meyer has been a dedicated practitioner of martial arts for over five decades. His diverse training includes styles such as Jiu Jitsu and White Lotus Kung Fu.
From 1984 to 1987, David taught Jiu Jitsu at Steven Seagal’s Tenshin Dojo, and from 1980 to 1985, he served as the head Jiu Jitsu instructor at UCLA. Remarkably, David won the first-ever BJJ competition held in the US in 1994.
In 1999, David collaborated with John Will to create comprehensive grappling and MMA curriculums. These programs, available in manuals, videos, and DVDs, have been adopted by nearly 1,000 martial arts schools worldwide, including a customized version for Chuck Norris’s UFAF association. This curriculum is still widely used in many schools today.
David has also shared his expertise through seminars globally, training martial artists, law enforcement, and military personnel.
He authored “Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Grappling” and co-authored “The Triangle” with Rigan Machado.
Beyond martial arts, David is a passionate advocate for animal welfare. He co-founded Adopt-A-Pet.com, the Humane America Animal Foundation, and Food System Innovations.
Please enjoy my conversation with David Meyer.
The Smarter Diet
Training for Competition: Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Submission Grappling: Meyer, David: 9780897501675: Amazon.com: Books
Fuel for the Fighter-Home- Vegan and Vegetarian UFC and MMA fighters like Jake Shields share strength tips
Adopt a dog or cat today! Search for local pets in need of a home. (adoptapet.com)

Jun 20, 2024 • 1h 47min
Bram Frank – Modular Training – Ep172
Bram Frank brings over five decades of expertise in martial arts to our conversation. As a first-generation personal student of the late Grandmaster Remy Presas, the founder of Modern Arnis, Bram has deep-rooted knowledge and experience in this discipline.
In 2007, Bram was honored as Weapons Instructor of the Year by the Black Belt Hall of Fame, and in 2008, Action Martial Arts Magazine and its Martial Arts Hall of Fame recognized him as Grandmaster of the Year.
Currently, Bram travels globally to conduct seminars on the use of blunt and edged weapons, catering to martial artists, civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel.
Beyond his teaching, Bram is an innovator in knife design, holding patents for his creations. He has also developed comprehensive training programs in a modular “train the trainer” format, making it accessible for anyone to acquire these skills in a short time.
Tune in to enjoy my insightful interview with Mr. Bram Frank.
CSSD/SC – Common Sense Self-Defense / Street Combat (cssd-sc.com)
Bram Frank’s Modular Training (bramfrankmodulartraining.com)
Conceptual Modern Arnis: Frank, Bram: 9780557370047: Amazon.com: Books

Jun 13, 2024 • 59min
Yasin Seiwasser – Be Water – Ep171
Yasin Seiwasser, a seasoned martial artist, former German MMA champion, and security expert, shares his transformative journey from fear to confidence through martial arts. He discusses his eclectic training, from Shotokan to Jiu-Jitsu, and the importance of mental preparation for success. Yasin delves into the evolution of teaching styles influenced by Bruce Lee's philosophy and the significance of subconscious mind techniques in enhancing personal potential. He also reflects on his role as a mental coach during the pandemic, illustrating the intersection of martial arts and mental resilience.

Jun 6, 2024 • 0sec
Mike Stone – Be Your Best – Ep170
Join us today as we dive into the extraordinary life of Mike Stone, a true legend in the world of martial arts. Born and raised in Hawaii, Mike excelled in various sports as a student and went on to serve in the Army after high school.
Mike’s unparalleled success in Karate began with his dominance in major tournaments during his prime. Remarkably, he never lost a single black belt match or kata competition. His contributions to the martial arts community earned him two inductions into the Black Belt Hall of Fame: as Fighter of the Year in 1971 and Instructor of the Year in 1994.
In the 1980s, Mike expanded his talents into writing and movie production. His original screenplay, “Dance of Death,” was adapted into the film “Enter The Ninja,” which ignited the global ninja craze on the big screen. He also played key roles in acting, producing, choreographing, and directing other martial arts films, including the popular American Ninja series.
In addition to his film work, Mike authored “American Eclectic Karate” in 1983, sharing his extensive knowledge and experience with the world.
Today, Mike resides in the Philippines, where he continues to inspire and influence the martial arts community and beyond.
Please enjoy the incredible story of my guest, Mr. Mike Stone.
Mike Stone – Martial Arts Legend (mikestonemartialarts.com)

May 30, 2024 • 0sec
Graciela Casillas – Shen Chun Do – Ep169
Graciela Casillas is a pioneering athlete and martial artist, renowned for her undefeated records in both boxing and kickboxing. She made history as the first athlete, male or female, to hold two world championships simultaneously in martial arts and boxing.
A dedicated advocate for women’s self-defense, Graciela’s expertise extends beyond the ring. She is a certified NRA weapons instructor, a Kali FMA Master, and one of the first women to graduate from the ESI Executive Protection Program. Additionally, she holds a world championship in Filipino Stick Fighting.
Her achievements have earned her induction into the Black Belt Hall of Fame. Graciela has also appeared in the films Full Impact and Fire in The Night. In 1989, she was named “Woman of the Year” by both Black Belt Magazine and Inside Kung Fu Magazine.
Graciela is one of the most sought-after martial arts and tactical trainers globally. She teaches self-defense programs incorporating stick, blade, gun, and empty-hand techniques to civilians, law enforcement, and military personnel worldwide.
In addition to her martial arts career, Graciela is an adjunct professor at Oxnard College and holds two master’s degrees.
Please welcome my guest today, the extraordinary Graciela Casillas.
Watch The Lioness Within | Prime Video (amazon.com)
Masters of Defense Graciella Casillas Boggs Black belt Ladyhawk automa – Apple Valley Knives
The Lioness Within: A Woman’s Self-defense Survival Guide – Kindle edition by Casillas, Graciela. Self-Help Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

May 23, 2024 • 0sec
Keith Vargo – – Author & Fighter – Ep168
Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with Keith Vargo, a distinguished writer, fighter, and martial artist based in Tokyo, Japan. For 17 years, Keith was a contributing editor for Black Belt magazine, where he penned the beloved monthly column “Way of the Warrior.” His work has also been featured in FightSport magazine, Karate/Kung-fu Illustrated, Sports World Japan, Maxfighting.com, and MMA-Japan.net.
Keith is the author of two notable books, The Soul of Fighting: Martial Arts, Combat Sports, and the Search for Warrior Wisdom and Philosophy of Fighting: Morals and Motivations of the Modern Warrior. These books, collections of his best columns from Black Belt magazine, delve into how morality, mysticism, aesthetics, science, and human nature intersect within the fighting arts.
Since relocating to Tokyo in 2000, Keith has immersed himself in mixed martial arts, training for a decade at the esteemed Takada Dojo, where he became the first non-Japanese practitioner to earn a shodan.
Keith is currently working on a new book, with additional projects on the horizon.
Please enjoy my interview with Mr. Keith Vargo.
www.keithvargo.org – Author, Fighter, and Martial Artist Keith Vargo

May 16, 2024 • 53min
Dan Millman – Peaceful Warrior – Ep167
Join me as we delve into the fascinating life of Dan Millman, a multifaceted individual whose journey encompasses triumphs in athletics, academia, and the art of living. Hailing from Los Angeles, Dan’s early years were marked by a diverse array of interests, from martial arts to modern dance, trampoline to gymnastics.
His prowess on the mat and in the gym led him to remarkable victories, including the 1964 Trampoline World Championships and the NCAA Championship in Vaulting during his freshman year at U.C. Berkeley. Not one to rest on his laurels, Dan continued to excel, clinching the USGF championship in Floor Exercise in 1966.
Transitioning from athlete to mentor, Dan carved out a path as a revered coach, guiding the Stanford Gymnastics team to national acclaim. Beyond the gymnasium, Dan is a prolific author, lecturer, and college professor, with his teachings resonating deeply with audiences worldwide.
Residing in Brooklyn, New York, alongside his wife Joy, Dan finds fulfillment in family life, cherishing moments with their three grown daughters and five grandchildren. His impactful work, notably “Way of the Peaceful Warrior,” has left an indelible mark on countless individuals, shaping their perspectives and guiding them toward inner peace.
Prepare to be inspired as I sit down with the extraordinary Dan Millman, exploring his insights, wisdom, and the journey that has led him to touch the lives of so many.
home – The Peaceful Warrior’s Way


