The Martial Way Podcast

In this episode of The Martial Way, I sit down with Sensei Gene Burke; martial artist, author, and leadership mentor .... for a powerful conversation about discipline, resilience, and the deep connection between mind and body.With over 30 years in operations leadership and two decades in the martial arts, Gene is the author of three books exploring martial arts, leadership, and the inner journey of personal growth. His most recent work, The Dojo of the Mind, is a thoughtful exploration of how physical practice can lead to mental clarity and emotional resilience.In this conversation, we dive into:The healing power of martial arts and movementHow physical training can help overcome anxiety, bullying, and personal struggleThe intersection of leadership, humility, and disciplineWhy failure is part of the process, and how to rise from itHis journey from the gym to the dojo to the page and everything in betweenWhether you're a martial artist, a leader, or someone on the path of self-discovery, this episode will leave you inspired to dig deeper.🧠💪 For more on Gene and his books, visit:https://www.thirdmonkeypro.com/📚 His books are available on Amazon under: Gene Burke🎧 Listen & Subscribe to The Martial Way Podcast:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMartialWaySpotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3Zo82okMVpTiVveh24jc8DApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-martial-way-podcast/id1299884621📲 Follow us:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_themartialway/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/budothemartialway🙏 If this episode resonates with you, leave a comment, share it with a friend, and help spread the word.#MartialArts #TheMartialWay #GeneBurke #MindBodyConnection #DojoOfTheMind #LeadershipThroughMartialArts #Karate #SelfMastery

Eira Culverwell – Finding Belonging Through BudoIn this episode of The Martial Way, I sit down with lifelong martial artist Eira Culverwell — a 4th dan black belt in Kyokushin Karate who made the bold transition into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, where she now competes as a brown belt.But Eira’s story goes far beyond style. For over 14 years, she’s traveled throughout Japan, not just to train, but to connect with a culture that’s shaped her identity and spirit. Her journey is one of evolution, self-discovery, and finding a deeper sense of home through martial arts.We talk about:​Leaving one path to embrace another​The quiet draw of Japan​Competing, teaching, and dreaming forward​What it means to truly belong on the path​📲 Follow Eira on Instagram: @e.i.raa🎧 Follow The Martial Way Podcast:Instagram: @_themartialwayFacebook: budothemartialwaySubscribe on YouTube: The Martial Way#EiraCulverwell #TheMartialWay #Kyokushin #BJJ #MartialArts #JiuJitsu #Japan #WomenInMartialArts #BudoSpirit

Sensei Rick Hotton is a lifelong martial artist and teacher, and the founder of Sunday Morning Keiko, a movement dedicated to rediscovering the depth, simplicity, and internal intelligence of martial arts.In this episode of The Martial Way, we explore Rick’s journey from the karate scene of the 1970s to his current philosophy rooted in mindfulness, body intelligence, and humility. We dive into his influences (including his background in Aikido), the evolution of his teaching, and what it means to age gracefully while staying on the path.This isn’t just a conversation about karate — it’s about awareness, intention, and finding meaning in motion.🔗 More from Rick Hotton:Online Dojo & Remote Membership: sundaymorningkeiko.org/westwindonlineInstructional Library on Patreon: patreon.com/sundaymorningkeikoYouTube: @shotokankarate9690Instagram: @sunday_morning_keikoFacebook: Sunday Morning Keiko / West Wind Dojo—🎧 Subscribe to The Martial Way PodcastAppleSpotifyOr listen on your favorite platform.If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review, share it, and help us grow the conversation around purpose-driven martial arts.#RickHotton #Karate #MartialArtsPodcast #TheMartialWay #Shotokan #SundayMorningKeiko

Shihan Judd Reid is a world-renowned martial artistwith a remarkable journey. As a teenager, he became an Uchi-deshi—a live-in student—under Sosai Mas Oyama, the founder of Kyokushin Karate. Judd’s extraordinary achievements include completing the legendary 100-Man Fight, winning the WKO World Championship in 2010, and earning the title of Australian Heavyweight Champion in 2002. He is also the author of two books chronicling his life and experiences and is a much sought-after teacher. This episode serves as a follow-up to my first conversationwith Judd in 2017, which marked the beginning of my podcast (you can listen to that episode here: 2017 Interview).Now, in 2025, as I relaunch the podcast, there’s no better way to start than with my first guest! We pick up right where we left off, focusing on Judd’s present and future.For those who may not be familiar with Judd, he trained under Shihan Eddie Emin in Australia before embarking on an incredible journey to Japan, where he became the first (and one of only two) foreigner to complete 1000 days as an Uchi deshi under Sosai Mas Oyama from 1990 to 1993. His later accomplishments include winning the Australian Heavyweight title in 2002, securing the WKO World Championship in Thailand in 2010, and becoming the last student of Sosai Oyama to complete the 100-Man Kumite in 2011. This journey was captured in the powerful documentary “100 Man Fight,” filmed by his best friend and corner man Anton Cavka. Tragically, Anton passed away before completing the book, which Judd dedicated to his memory. You can watch the documentary here: 100 Man Fight. To learn more about Shihan Judd Reid or explore his dojo, the Chikara Organization, and upcoming camps, visit his website: www.juddreid.com. Get Judd Reid’s books in Kindle and softcover here: Judd’s Books. Check out the 100 Man Fight Documentary here: Watch 100 Man Fight. Don’t forget to subscribe to The Martial Way Podcaston iTunes: The Martial Way on iTunes.

Marco Lala began his martial arts journey at the age of 13 in Kenpo, moving to Kyokushin under Sensei Hioki, later with Shigeru Oyama, and going on to obtaining black belts in Judo & BJJ, becoming a full-contact champion and ultimately creating his own system TettsuBushi Jitsu, incorporating all rages of fighting. Made famous by a series of popular and dynamic instructional books and videos beginning in the 90s, made available again now.  A martial artist, entreprepreneur, and modern philosopher. Just an awesome man and it was an honour and privilege to spend time with him. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Osu!

My guest Natan Levy is signed to the UFC, fighting out of Syndicate MMA in Las Vegas, by way of Israel. He has a background in Uechi-ryu Karate and switched to MMA with a Pro MMA Record of 6 wins with no losses, as well as cross training in Kyokushin Karate.   Natan has a fantastic story, having traveled to Okinawa, Japan, to train in Karate as a teen, studied Kyokushin under Shihan Artur Hovhannisyan, traveling to Las Vegas to pursue dream of fighting in the UFC, and fulfilling.  A fantastic conversation with a humble martial artist who is making a great name for himself. A real honour. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. OSU! 

At the age of twenty-one, Nicholas Pettas completed the brutal 1,000-day Uchi-deshi program of Sosai Mas Oyama, which made him the second ever foreign graduate, and second non-Japanese, to ever finish the program (the first being Judd Reid, my first guest on this podcast), and he was the last uchi-deshi of Sosai Oyama, who died soon after his graduation. After graduating the programme, he competed in several tournaments and achieved many significant titles and honours such as the European Karate Heavyweight Champion in 1995, placing 5th and 3rd place in the World Championships, respectively in 1995 and 1997, and would go on to win the K-1 Japan Grand Prix Championship in 2001, in front of 70,000 people. He is the author of Blue Eyed Samurai: 1000 days in the young lions dormitory, which chronicles his time as an Uchi-deshi, he currently is a Japanese media personality, staring in several TV shows and movies, an entrepreneur, and became a Reebok Crossfit Ambassador and Trainer, playing a major role in its introduction to Japan. He is also in the process of creating a free audio version of his book! This is amazing conversation about his time as an Uchi-deshi and later careers. Emotional at times, and so insightful. I really hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did.  OSU! The Tokyo Show: https://www.youtube.com/user/nicholaspettas/   .

Senpai Kimm Carriere started her Karate career at the age of seven and began competing when she was nine. She competed in her first international tournament in the 2014 Diamond Cup in Belgium. She has become a fixture at Canadian full-contact/knockdown competitions and went on to compete at many international tournaments, representing Shinkyokushinkai Canada. She is the Canadian lightweight champ for the past eight years and has had several podium finishes at international tournaments. Some of the highlights of her tournaments in recent years include: Diamond Cup (3x) British Open (3x) Dageki World Karate Championships (3x) Shinkyokushin World Cup (2017) 11th and 12th World Karate Championship (2015, 2019) 1st International Full Contact Karate Championships Carpathia Cup International Fujiwara Cup The 1st Americas Full-contact Karate Championship (selection tournament for WFKO World Championship Japan) On top of all of this, she is a psychologist and a student who is finishing up her PhD. This is an amazing conversation with an amazing martial artist and person. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Osu!   Senpai Kimm Carriere's Dojo, West Island Karate / Karaté de L'Île www.westislandkarate.com, under Shihan John Kalaidopoulos

Shihan Koen Spitaels is an international legend, one of the leading Kyokushin / Shinkyokushin Karateka in the World and well known tournament fighter. One of the pioneers in Europe who is striving to make different organizations work together. The founder & and chief instructor Niji Yama Dojo. It was an honour to speak to Shihan Koen, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Osu! https://youtu.be/5Gy9VeIrdpg Niji Yama Dojo: https://www.nijiyama.be/Shihan Koen FB: https://www.facebook.com/koen.spitaelsShihan Koen IG: https://www.instagram.com/koenspitaels/

Sensei Kiley Baker has been training in Martial Arts since 1995 and teaching since 1998. She obtained her San Dan (Third Dan) in 2013 and also her black singlet in Titans Kickboxing. Sensei Kiley has been teaching and competing in Martial Arts, including Kyokushin for many years. She is a five-time Victorian Kyokushin Full Contact Champion and a two time World Ring Karate Australia (WRKA) Champion. During her fighting career Sensei Kiley has competed and won in many tournaments in Australia, New Zealand and Japan. Sensei Kiley has also travelled to Thailand on several occasions to attend training camps in Muay Thai Kickboxing. Sensei Kiley is also the author of Mother Lover Woman Warrior, a book to help women discover and regain their power, and show them how to take back control of their destiny. As she says, to “embrace perfect imperfection, and discover a better way to be you”. It was an honour to talk to Sensei Kiley Baker, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! OSU! Book: https://motherloverwomanwarrior.comEltham Martial Arts Academy: https://elthammartialarts.comEMAA on FB: https://www.facebook.com/elthammartialartsSensei Kiley FB: https://www.facebook.com/kiley.baker.71

Shihan Hugo Perez is the first official member of So-Kyokushin for North America and the Director of the Perez Karate Center in Quebec, Canada Throughout his career, Shihan Perez participated in many seminars held by renowned masters and instructors and has also participated in numerous national, international tournaments and world championships, including the World Championship held in Osaka, Japan in 2001. Shihan Perez has become one of the most recognized and respected referees, and is central referee at All Japan and the World Championship. Between 1999 and 2004 , he was the supervisor of a team of bodyguards during special events held in the City of Montreal. In addition, he has personally been a bodyguard for celebrities such as: Robert de Niro, Sofia Loren, Jackie Chan, Gérard Depardieu, Vincent Perez, Luc Besson and Martin Scorsese. Shihan Perez opened his first dojo in 2011 in Mercier, Quebec and the dojo has been expanding ever since. It was an honour to speak to Shihan Perez and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Osu! You can find Shihan Perez through the following social channels: FB: https://www.facebook.com/karateperez/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/karateperez/ YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHDhwWTBaAQ4Kgm1-wBsnaw Website: http://karateperez.com/ckp/

Sensei Emma Markwell is a British AND World Champion in Kyokushin Karate, and podium holder of many International Kyokushin Karate Tournaments. She is a member of the International Federation Karate (IFK) and British Karate Kyokushinkai (BKK). It was an absolute pleasure to speak to Sensei Emma. We covered her background in Kyokushin, training, her personal coaching and much more. I really enjoyed this conversation, and I hope you do as well. Osu! You can reach Sensei Markwell via: FB: https://www.facebook.com/emma.markwell Markwell Fitness: https://www.lookwellfeelwell.co.uk Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/markwellfitness/

Sensei Steve Fogarasi 4th Dan is the President of IFK Canada and Country Representative. He is also the Owner and Chief Instructor of Contact Kicks Martial Arts, his full-time dojo. He is also the instructor to myself, of which I am very proud. I hope you enjoy this conversation as much as I did. Osu!

Sensei Wesley of Holland has competed and placed on the podium of many many tournaments across Europe, Russia and Japan, and after years of training and fighting he opened his own school, 'Dojo Hokori Meiyo'. Most recently he began a collaboration with Sensei Darren Stringer, KRT Tips & Tricks, where they uniquely pair-up digitally, offering training tips based on the years of tournament and teaching experience. Sensei Wesley Jansen on FB: https://www.facebook.com/wesley.jansen.980 'Dojo Hokori Meiyo' on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dojohokorimeiyo Sensei Wesley Jansen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wesjeee90/ Tips & Tricks: https://www.facebook.com/KRT-Tips-Tricks-105182707800402 iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-martial-way-podcast/id1299884621

Kyokushin Karate Sensei Darren Stringer is known as an “all rounder”, equally as comfortable in knockdown full-contact as he is in Kata. His accolades and tournament wins are many to mention here, with world titles in Kata and Knockdown Karate. We discuss his beginnings, training, experience and philosophy on Karate. A really great conversation and it was an honour to spend time with Sensei Darren. Osu! Sensei Darren Stringer on FB: https://www.facebook.com/darren.stringer.96 KRT Tips & Tricks: https://www.facebook.com/KRT-Tips-Tricks-105182707800402 iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-martial-way-podcast/id1299884621

Shihan Cameron Quinn, author of “The Budo Karate of Mas Oyama,” Uchi Deshi under Sosai Mas Oyama, as well as translator and friend of Sosai. Shihan Quinn was an incredible guest with a wealth of history and knowledge. This was the perfect way to start the New Year. Please enjoy the video and/or audio podcast.     Audio Podcast:

Shihan Tom Callahan, is the U.S. Country Representative (Chairman) and International Secretary of Kyokushin-kan Karate. Originally based in California but relocated to Boulder, Colorado, Shihan Tom Callahan has been involved in the martial arts since 1972 starting with Uechi-ryu Karate in Boston.  After a break from training due to career focus, he returned to training in mid 90’s in Kyokushin Karate, studying under Shihan Patrick Fard in IKO-1. Shihan Callahan switched to Kyokushin-Kan in 2008, under Kancho Hatsuo Royama - Kyokushin-Kan International, in Saitama, Japan. Shihan Callahan continues to supplement his training in Krav Maga, with Sensei Roy Elghanayan, as well as training with Shihan Nori Bunasawa in Jukkendo. It was such an honour to speak to Shihan Callahan, so humble, devoid of ego, and still excited about his training and the pursuit of Budo, which is amazing of someone with his experience and level. Audio Podcast:

Karate Culture (Aaron Garcia and Michael Nguyen). Two guys on a mission to bring karate back to relevancy. They're black belts in Shorin-Ryu but like to represent Okinawan Karate as a whole, and really making a name for themselves by bringing realistic application back into karate. Kata. Throws. Submissions. Strikes. Ground Combatives. Hard Body Conditioning. No egos, no competitions, just pure applications. They're here to bring karate back to reality. They were in town recently for their first Canadian seminar, hosted by Prodigy Martial Arts, in Mississauga, ON., under Sensei Ryan Shields. Big thanks to Ryan for allowing me to catch the very end of the seminar and arrange this conversation! Osu! Audio Podcast:

Sensei Terry Birkett from the UK is the Chief Instructor at Ronin Dojo, much sought after teacher, founder of Back Street Karate, which focuses on realism in karate, and the list goes on. We discuss his roots in Kyokushin, years working as a doorman where he tested his skills, his goal to make karate "dangerous" again, and much more! *  Unfortunately there was some video freezing during the conversation, however the audio is intact. Look for a follow-up soon! Audio Podcast:

For those who are not familiar with Judd, he grew up in Australia training under Shihan Eddie Emin, is the first, and one of only two, foreigners to have completed 1000 days live-in student training (Uchi Deshi) under Kyokushin Karate founder Masutatsu ‘Mas’ Oyama in Japan, from 1990 to 1993, won the Australian heavyweight title in 2002, won the WKO World Championship in Thailand 2010, and became last ever student of Sosai Oyama’s to finish the 100 man kumite, in 2011. This was chronicled in a great documentary, 100 Man Fight, shot by his best friend and corner man, Anton Cavka. Tragically, Anton passed away before the completion of the book, and Judd dedicated it to his memory. Shihan Judd Reid’s chronicled his time as an Uchi Deshi in his book, The Young Lions – 1,000 Days of Training Under a Karate Legend and the 100-Man Kumite.   Audio Podcast: