Finding Budo

Today on the podcast I sit down and talk with 5th degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt and retired federal judge, Jose Sanchez. Jose began his martial arts practice in 1983, starting in Seido Karate in New York City, later moving to Massachusetts and beginning his Uechi-Ryu Karate training. He received his Shodan in 1988 and is testing for his 6th degree master's rank later this year. He also cross trains in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.During our interview Jose talks about how his martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate training has kept his body healthy and active over the years. We also discuss his varied professions as an air traffic controller, criminal defense lawyer, and judge and how the martial arts have aided him in keeping composed during high stress and high stakes situations. I find every conversation I have with Jose to be engaging and intriguing and I know you will too. Please enjoy, Jose Sanchez.

Today I am sitting down with one of my Uechi-Ryu Karate mentors, Sensei Dan Dovidio.Sensei Dan Dovidio began Uechi-Ryu Karate training in 1975 under the tutelage of Buzz Durkin. He is now a ninth degree black belt and the owner of Dan Dovidio's Karate in Londonderry, NH.Dan Dovidio is a tournament champion who was ranked number one in the state of New Hampshire and has competed in Okinawa. Also is also an expert in the practical usage of pressure points and has a deep knowledge of how they apply to Uechi-Ryu Kata and bunkai.We cover many topics during our conversation, including changing training priorities as you age, developing a positive attitude in and outside the dojo, and his time as a competitor.Follow Sensei Dan Dovidio's YouTube Channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@UC4t7DbzjVtfmcmQVPR7unsg

Today we have a delightful guest who I have trained with for many years, Uechi-Ryu Karate Black Dottie Endres.Dottie began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 2006 under with Sensei Alan Kessler at the age of 62. She now trains with Sensei Buzz Durkin. This fall she is testing for her sixth degree Uechi-Ryu Karate black belt.During our discussion we talk about starting martial arts training at an older age and how the martial arts have helped her in life.Anyone who has ever trained with Dottie knows that while she is 81 years old, she is youthful in both mind and body and does not let her age stop her from keeping up with her martial arts practice. If you are new to the martial arts, or have been training for decades, I think you will find some extra motivation from our talk. Please enjoy, Dottie Endres.

Welcome to our podcast! Today we have on a Uechi-Ryu practitioner who was instrumental in my development as a martial artist and instructor, Sensei Marcus TraynorSensei Traynor began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1990 under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin. Since 1997 he has been the head instructor at Buzz Durkin's Karate School.In this interview we talk about how the martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate has shaped his life, his growth as a teacher, and passing on the martial arts legacyIf you are someone who trains in the martial arts and desires to be a better teacher, then I think there is a lot to be gained from our conversation. Please enjoy, Sensei Marcus Traynor.

Neil Stone is a Uechi-Ryu Karate practitioner who I believe is one of the finest teachers I have worked with. Sensei Neil Stone began his Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1986 under Mike Rozumek. Today he trains under Uechi-Ryu Karate Grandmaster Buzz Durkin and runs a dojo in Hollis, NH. This fall he is testing for his 9th degree black belt.In this interview we talk about his early days of training: From starting out practicing in the back of a grocery store, to being a part of one of the largest martial arts schools in the country. Mr. Stone also shares with us his insights in how martial arts training has evolved and we dive deep into his thoughts on how to be a successful teacher and school owner. If you are someone who loves karate and the martial arts, or desires to be a better teacher and sensei, then I think there is a lot to be gained from our conversation. Please enjoy, Sensei Neil Stone.

David Kelley is a Uechi-Ryu Karate Hanshi 9th Degree Black Belt under Grandmaster Buzz Durkin.David Kelley began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice at the age of 17 in 1974 under Buzz Durkin - who remains his sensei to this day. David Kelley was in law enforcement for twenty five years, and credits the martial arts for giving him the confidence to face many challenging situations and individuals. Anyone who has worked with David Kelley knows that he has a profound love for the martial arts and Uechi-Ryu Karate and is always striving to increase his martial knowledge. They also know his deep passion for sharing this knowledge with others and watching each student grow. I enjoyed sitting down with Mr. Kelley and learning more about how he approaches his training and teaching and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Uechi-Ryu Sensei David Kelley.

Shihan Dunn is a lifelong martial arts practitioner, beginning his martial arts training in Shotokan Karate at the age of 11 and achieving the rank of Black Belt under Toyotaro Miyazaki. He is also a black belt in judo under Kyoshi Shiina and in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie. He is the owner of Gene Dunn's Shotokan Karate Dojo and Brooklyn BJJ. During our conversation, we discuss how in his youth he competed worldwide at the highest level of karate sparring; however now dedicates his life to the spread of traditional martial arts through safe, effective, and non-competitive methods. We also discuss the importance of martial legacy and instilling core life values in our students through our martial art instruction and practice - whether training in karate or BJJ.Anyone who has ever trained with Shihan Gene Dunn knows first hand how effective his BJJ and Karate teaching methods are and how insightful a conversation with him can be. I personally gained a myriad of knowledge from our talk, and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Shihan Gene Dunn.Mr. Dunn is the host of The Gentle Art Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@UC-mcBwp2w6RNWsgUeGBjMkQ

Today on the podcast we have someone who has been incredibly instrumental to my martial arts and life in and out of the dojo - Sensei Bob Beal. Mr. Beal began his Uechi-Ryu Karate practice in 1975 under Richard Pinkham. Since 1989 he has been a student of Buzz Durkin. He is an eighth degree black belt and has been teaching at Mr. Durkin's school since 1993.I have always been profoundly impressed by the attention Sensei Beal gives to each student in class, his work effort, and his consistency of character. In our interview we discuss he journey in the martial arts, its relation to calligraphy, music, poetry, and philosophy - all of which is a student of, and how his karate training has guided him both in and out of the dojo.I have known Mr. Beal for well over twenty years, but even I learned some knew things about him and the martial arts during our talk. I hope you do too. Please enjoy, Sensei Bob Beal.

Originally Released July 2024Today we have a special treat as I sit down and talk with Uechi-Ryu Karate pioneer Judy Durkin.Sensei Judy Durkin began her Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1971 under George Mattson and is a ninth degree black belt. In 1974 she founded Buzz Durkin's Uechi Karate School with her husband, Buzz Durkin. This fall she is testing for her tenth degree Uechi-Ryu black belt and grandmaster title.During our interview we sit down and talk about the early days of her training and how her steadfast training methodology has helped her keep up with her practice after fifty plus years. We also dive into how her karate has helped her stay calm under pressure and while dealing with difficult people. Anyone who has ever trained with Mrs. Durkin knows that there are few things that she enjoys more than heavy conditioning while having a joyful conversation. I learned a lot from our thoughtful and enlightening conversation and I hope you do too. Please enjoy, sensei, and soon to be grandmaster, Judy Durkin.

Originally Released June 2024Soon to be promoted Uechi-Ryu 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster Leyn Burrows shares the story of how he started his Uechi-Ryu training. From his time growing up in Bermuda, training with Al Wharton and George Mattson, to becoming the senior student of Buzz Durkin's Uechi-Ryu Karate School. Leyn Burrows also shares his deep insight in how Uechi-Ryu karate training taught him how to have compassion for his fellow man and helped him navigate the cooperate world.This fall, Leyn Burrows is expected to be promoted Uechi-Ryu 10th Degree Black Belt and Grandmaster title. Leyn Burrows is a student of Sensei Buzz Durkin and is the Sempai of the Uechiryu Butokukai. He began his training in 1971 under the tutelage of Sensei Al Wharton. Listed among his many karate achievements, Mr. Burrows is a former NAUKA Sparring Champion (Black Belt). He has a broad knowledge of Uechi hard/soft methods and bunkai and loves sharing his teaching and philosophy.

Failure is often seen as something negative, something to be avoided at all costs. But I want to convince you to embrace failure and more importantly the fear of failure. That’s because I believe that failure is a valuable teacher that can lead us to growth and success.Some failures are big and some are so small that you may not realize how much they are affecting you until they start adding up. For example, with your karate training you will fail numerous times. You'll miss a kick, lose a match, or struggle to improve a complex technique. But here's the thing: every time you fail, you have an opportunity to learn and improve. It's through those failures that you gain valuable insights into your weaknesses and areas that need work.We all fear failing. One of my biggest fears I had to overcome was my fear of public speaking. This was something that had truly held me back in my younger days. However, when I made a decision to teach karate I knew I would have to improve my ability to be seen and heard. So, I slowly took steps to put myself in front of others. Every time I was in front of a group of students wasn’t perfect, but I learned methods of dealing with my anxieties and took every mistake and failure I made and used what I learned from them to improve. With time, practice, and the help of my mentors I not only improved as an instructor and public speaker, but also learned to embrace my fear and to accept failure as a tool for improvement – not something to hold me back.Remember, karate is a journey of self-improvement. It's not only about building physical skills but also about mental and emotional development. Part of this journey is embracing failure and shifting your perspective. Instead of seeing failure and fear as a setback or a reason to give up, see them as the next step on your path to success. Remember, some of the greatest martial artists and fighters in history faced countless failures before reaching the pinnacle of their achievements.So, the next time you find yourself facing failure in martial arts or in any aspect of life, remember that it's not the end of the road. It's an opportunity to grow, learn, and become better. Embrace failure as a valuable teacher, and let it guide you on your journey towards karate excellence.

When it comes to karate training, it's common to feel pressure to perform at a high level and to constantly compare ourselves to others. However, this mindset can lead to feelings of inadequacy and discouragement. That's why it's important to keep in mind these words from John Wooden, "Do the best you can. No one can do more than that." It’s a simple line, but it serves as a powerful reminder that the only thing we can do is give it our all and do our best – because at the end of the day we are all on our own unique martial arts journey.With your karate training, focus on our own personal growth and progress, rather than constantly comparing yourself to others. To see improvement in karate takes time and the training includes movements that require consistent effort, focus, and dedication to get right. It's easy to become discouraged when we don't see immediate results, but the reality is that progress takes time and repetition. So, in karate training, as in life, the only thing we can control is our own effort and dedication. Rather than getting caught up in comparing ourselves to others, focus on doing the best you can each day, and trust that with consistent effort and dedication, you will continue to improve and grow as a martial artist.

I wanted to talk about a quote I read today that I believe captures the essence of cooperative training in a karate class. The quote is by Paulo Coelho and it reads, “When we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better too.”I think this quote is really relatable to how a karate class should be run and how all students should feel in class. In the martial arts, cooperative training is essential for the growth and proficiency of all students – because by working together and pushing each other to become better, every student can and will improve their skills and techniques. I’ve also observed that when students strive to become better than they are, they inspire others to do the same. This creates a culture of growth and self-improvement that permeates the entire class and school. As these students improve, they become more confident and motivated, which often encourages others to follow their lead. This positive cycle of growth and improvement benefits everyone in the class.Along with that, I have found that cooperative training helps students develop important life skills such as teamwork, respect, and empathy. By working together towards a common goal, people tend to learn how to appreciate and value the contributions, points of view, and opinions of others. I’ve also found that junior students especially learn to communicate more effectively with others through their interactions at the dojo.Personally, I find great joy when I get to watch my advanced students share what they have learned with new students. It’s always amazing to see the cycle of sharing and growth be passed on from student to student, and to see new students realize that they are being welcomed with open arms to the school.I hope this inspires you to strive to be the best version of yourself on the dojo floor and in life. If you find this topic relatable please let me know by giving the video a like and sharing a positive martial arts moment you have experienced below.

Am I too old to start karate or any other martial art? This is one of the questions I often see while spending a little too much time browsing martial arts forums. It's asked so much that I thought I would make a quick video explaining why students of any age can benefit from karate and the martial arts regardless of age, current fitness level, or skill. I hope you enjoy this video, and come to realize that no, you are not too old to start karate!As an aside, sometimes I find out that the person asking if they are too old to start karate or a martial art is actually in their early twenties...... It really shows that sometimes our concepts and perspectives of age and what constitutes "old" are quite interesting. That being said, as someone in their late thirties I feel more energetic and healthy now than I did in my teens and early twenties thanks to my karate training and the lifestyle that it embraces!

I had the honor to interview my sensei, Mr. Buzz Durkin of Buzz Durkin’s Uechi Karate School in Atkinson, NH. Sensei Durkin began his karate training in 1966 in Boston, MA under the tutelage of American karate pioneer George Mattson.Mr. Durkin opened his dojo in 1974 and since then has trained thousands of students in the New England area. He is the founder of the Uechiryu Butokukai, a group of schools with a direct lineage to himself and his senior students. He is a charter member of the Uechiryu Hall of Fame, and a member of the World Martial Arts Federation Hall of Fame. Mr. Durkin is a Vietnam combat veteran who received both his M.B.A. from Boston College.Mr. Durkin is a highly sought-after keynote speaker, and the author of the book Success is Waiting: The Martial Arts School Owner's Guide to Teaching, Business, and Life. Let’s start our interview with Uechiryu Karate 10th Degree Black Belt, Buzz Durkin!Learn more about Buzz Durkin: buzzdurkin.comOrder your copy of Mr. Durkin's, Success is Waiting here:https://www.amazon.com/Success-Waiting-Martial-Teaching-Business/dp/0996575804/ref=sr_1_1?crid=MAR6YD9N62DI&keywords=success+is+waiting&qid=1641841545&sprefix=success+is+waiting%2Caps%2C83&sr=8-1LEARN MORE ABOUT OUR UECHIRYU KARATE PROGRAM ► https://leithkarate.com.FOLLOW ►Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leithkarateacademy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leithkarateacademy Blog: https://leithkarate.com/blog

Hello, my name is Bill Leith and this is my podcast about the martial arts, Finding Budo.This podcast is a journey exploring budo, also known as the martial way. I ask you to join me as we embark on a journey to uncover the deeper meaning behind martial arts training. We will sit down with renowned martial arts experts, instructors, and dedicated practitioners to explore the philosophy, discipline, and personal transformation that the martial artsoffer.Each episode delves into the essence of the martial arts,uncovering the wisdom, challenges, and life lessons embedded in thesepractices. Along the way I will also share my own personal insight into budo,offering reflections on training, mindset, and the deeper spiritual aspects ofthe martial arts.Rooted in the philosophy of "Traditional Martial Artsfor the Modern World," this podcast bridges the gap between ancient wisdomand contemporary practice. Whether you're a lifelong martial artist, a curiousbeginner, or someone seeking inspiration beyond the dojo, Finding Budo is yourguide to unlocking the true meaning of martial arts. I started my Uechi-Ryu karate training in 1995 at the age ofnine under sensei Buzz Durkin. After training for a bit I took a little timeoff and then started back up as a teenager because my father knew that it wouldbe an activity that would give me the confidence boost that I would need to besuccessful in life.As a teenager I wasn't very focused, and I didn't perseverethrough activities as much as I have since committing to my karate practice.You can say that karate has been what's helped me continue other activities inlife.As a kid I was not great at sports and never consideredmyself an athletic person. Through the martial arts I was able to achieve adeeper understanding of how to use my body and I was able to develop bettercoordination and strength. If you're not necessarily athletically inclined, Ibelieve that the martial arts can give you the ability to achieve some sort ofphysicality in your life that you may not be able to otherwise and I thinkthat's what's really benefited me.I believe that the martial artsgives you the mental discipline you need to become more confident in front ofothers and with yourself. Through training you develop the emotional disciplineto deal with pressure; whether that's someone punching you in the face orverbally confronting you about something that you're uncomfortable with. Beingmore able to deal with interpersonal interactions has been such a huge benefitof my training.A big part of what has helped me grow has been teaching. I'ma naturally introverted person, so years ago the thought of teaching a group ofpeople was honestly something that was far from my mind. Over the past 20 yearsof teaching I have gained so much from the experience – both in my ownaccomplishments and that of my student’s.I truly believe that karate is a great activity – not only tolearn a to defend but also to be more physically active, more flexible,stronger, to be able to breathe better, to get better posture, develop mentalsharpness – these are all things that come from martial arts training. On topof that, I think it is a lot of fun and can be an engaging activity anindividual level or even on a family level. There's just so many benefits to training and I hope throughthis podcast you are able to learn more about the martial arts and the manyreasons people train. It is my hope that along the way you can develop and findyour own path in the martial arts. I hope you enjoy Finding Budo.