Welcome to another exciting episode of the Mind Sensei podcast, where we explore the journeys of martial arts legends and dive deep into the philosophies that drive their success.

I'm your host, Peter Tas, and today we have an extraordinary guest joining us—9th Degree Master of the Arts, Mr. Dave Thompson.

Mr. Thompson's journey in American Kenpo Karate began in 1972 at Mr. Dave Hebler’s Kenpo Karate Studio in Covina, California, under the guidance of his lifelong instructor, Mr. Paul Dye. Over the years, Mr Thompson has competed in countless tournaments, earning respect and accolades for his skills in sparring and forms.

One of the most notable moments in his early career was in 1982 when he was invited to participate in Mr. Ed Parker's Black Belt technique line at the Pasadena studio—an unprecedented honor for someone at the green belt level. Despite initial resistance from the upper black belts, Mr. Dye's assurance of Dave's worthiness earned him a place in that prestigious line, setting the stage for a remarkable career.

Mr Thompson  tested for his brown belt in 1983 and received his black belt in 1984 from none other than Mr. Ed Parker himself, following a strong recommendation from Mr. Dye. His accomplishments didn’t stop there; from 1995 to 2003, Dave dominated the Black Belt Self-Defense Division at the Ed Parker Long Beach International Karate Championships, securing first place for seven consecutive years.

In 1986, Dave opened his own Kenpo school in Rancho Cucamonga, California, while continuing to train under Mr. Dye. His competitive streak continued, winning first place in Black Belt Self-Defense divisions at the Nationals, International, and European Championships in 1998, the same year he was promoted to 5th degree black belt.

His talents even took him to Hollywood, where he appeared in the movie *Hot Boyz* alongside Kenpo legends like Mr. Paul Dye, John Sepulveda, and Jeff Speakman. He also made appearances in 12 episodes of Martial Arts TV and was featured in the March 2003 issue of Martial Art Magazine. Dave’s competitive spirit remained strong, winning first place in the Self-Defense Division and Grand Championship Finals at the Long Beach IKC in 2005.

In 2013, Dave was promoted to 8th degree black belt and became part of the Ed Parker’s Kenpo Demonstration Dream Team. Now, in 2024, he celebrates 51 years in the art of American Kenpo Karate—a testament to his dedication, skill, and passion for the martial arts.

To do justice to Mr. Thompson's incredible career and the wealth of knowledge he brings, we've decided to make this a special two-part interview. In the first part, we'll explore his early years, key milestones, and his rise through the ranks. In the second part, we'll delve into his experiences as an instructor, his philosophy on martial arts, and his vision for the future.

So sit back, relax, and join us for this fascinating conversation with one of Kenpo's true masters. This is an episode you won't want to miss!

We want to extend a big thank you to our guest, 9th Degree Master of the Arts, Mr. Dave Thompson, for sharing his incredible journey and insights with us. If you’d like to learn more about Mr. Thompson, connect with him, or inquire about training opportunities, you can reach out to him directly.

For those interested in diving deeper into his teachings or visiting his school, you can find him at Dave Thompsons Kenpo Karate (TCB Kenpo) Whether you’re a martial artist looking to sharpen your skills or someone new to the world of Kenpo, Mr. Thompson’s wealth of knowledge and experience is a resource you won’t want to miss.

Thank you again to Mr. Thompson for being a part of the Mind Sensei podcast, and to all our listeners for tuning in. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to reach out to us as well. We appreciate your support, and we’re excited to bring you more amazing guests and content in the future!

Email:   tcbkenpo @msn.com

Facebook:  Dave Thompson