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Tom Callos- My First Instructor, Mentor and Life-Long Friend

TOM CALLOS

KJN Tom is a miracle of a being, he has played a key role in martial arts from day 1. As my first and most influential instructor, KJN Tom taught me the foundations of Tae Kwon Do, to be a martial artist in and outside of the Dojo, and to respect myself and those who I share this world with. I received my first black belt under KJN Tom.

He is a very busy man to this day. In 2004 Tom designed “The Ultimate Black Belt Test,” a one-year training program for martial arts teachers (www.ultimateblackbelttest.com). In 2007 he co-founded a martial arts educational association called The New Way Network (www.TheNewWayNetwork.com). In 2008 he collaborated with Dr. Tony Fiore to develop the first martial arts teacher Anger Management training program, www.angercoachonline.com. In 2009 he co-founded a service for up-and-coming martial arts teachers called School Owner 101 (www.schoolowner101.com) and is currently working on The Live Like a Champion Project with student and training partner, UFC Lightweight World Champion BJ Penn.

If you want to find Tom these days he resides in Hilo, Hawaii. But as busy and amazing as he is, who knows where he will be doing good, teaching as his main goal, and always being a fixture and hero in my life.

UBBT 6 PICTURES

Below is a mix match of pictures from the UBBT 6. I will upload some great video this nex week! First is of collage of us at work on one of the many houses that were fixed by the amazing group formed last week in Greensboro, Alabama.
After and in between work we were able to put on live demonstrations for the community.
Everyone pitched in and helped out. It was an amazing experience. Giving back is one of the most self rewarding experiences and gift one can give to thyself. I was lucky to have gone with friends and loved ones, but am pleased to say I left with many more heroes and friends and people close to my HEART. GO UBBT 6!!!!!!
AND DONT FORGET TO JOURNAL!!!!!

From Top to Bottom left to Right:
Working on the house!! Girls At Work!! Always on the MOVE!! A Natural High!!

Nathan Slater and I have trained together since we were young children. We remain best friends and went to Alabama together. Our first master Kwang Jang Nim Tom Callos stands behind us. He is also the UBBT founder!

The Church that we stayed at.
It was nice to have a roof over our head.
We are truly blessed.

Jabbo (center), is the proprietor of this newly constructed house.
He is an elderly blind man whose living conditions have become a potential threat to his health and safety.
We had the privilege of building him this new abode.

UBBT 6 ALABAMA PROJECT Press Release

Greensboro, AL, March 30, 2009 – In The Ultimate Black Belt Test
(UBBT), a martial arts teacher-training program designed by veteran
instructor Tom Callos of Hilo, Hawaii, participants are required to
take their martial arts “out of the dojo (school) and into the world.”
More than 100 martial arts teachers and students from across the North
American continent did just that between March 25th and the 29th as
they converged upon the small southern town of Greensboro, Alabama to
build a home, restore a historic schoolhouse, refurbish a thrift
store, and help out with the local animal shelter.

Dave McNeill of Carson City, Nevada, a 9th-degee black belt, worked on
building a set of tables and benches to help the local Hale County
Empowerment and Revitalization Organization (HERO). Jeff Brinker of
Stony Plain in Alberta, Canada, a 6th-degree black belt in Gung-fu,
worked on restoring a historic one-room Rosenwald schoolhouse. Black
belts Rori Goetze, Nathan Slater, Rob McLaughlin, and Rob’s wife Tara,
came to help from Reno, Nevada. The team helped construct a large
freestanding studio for an blind elderly man whose current living
arrangements put his health in jeopardy. Chan Lee, a second generation
master teacher from Milwaukee, Wisconsin brought more than 20 people,
many of whom cared for stray animals, cleaned out pens, and fixed
enclosures at the Hale County Animal Control Center. Hal Gustin of
Denver, Colorado, the senior member of the team, having taken his
first martial arts lesson in 1956, helped keep all the job sites safe
and supplied.

“The purpose of this yearly event,” says Gustin, “is to teach martial
arts instructors how to take action in their communities. It’s the
best way to teach students about leadership and character, and it’s
one fine way to tell a community what your school is really all
about.”

According to the event’s founder, Tom Callos, it’s about a number of
other things as well. “Martin Luther King walked these streets,” says
Callos. “James Agee and Walker Evans collaborated on their famous book
here; "Let us Now Praise Famous Men." Architect Samuel Mockbee founded
the Rural Studio near here, his legacy can still be seen all over
town.” Callos was inspired to host the event by Mockbee, who died in
2001. Mockbee was known for taking his architectural students out of
their classroom and put them to work helping others.

“The UBBT team raised more than $15,000 for materials,” says Callos,
“but more importantly, they raised the standards for the entire
martial arts world. In the future, because of this kind of community
activism, what martial arts teachers inspire their students to do off
of the mat may be as important as what they do on it.”