T'was The Night Before Christmas...


 

2014 has been a good year indeed. Many things came together, some did not. Trained, shared, traveled, hurt, healed, learned, grew. Said good bye, hello & see you soon to many people along the way:



The year began with teaching a seminar with Israeli Krav International's Moshe Katz here in Grand Rapids. Once again Moshe came all the way from Israel to share IKI Krav Maga with everyone who wished to learn here in the U.S. while I taught conflict management skills between the physical defense sessions. Don't worry if you missed it, we are having another session on February 6th, 7th & 8th 2015 once again here in Grand Rapids, MI. Click here for info and registration.

I had a few overseas security gigs in Thailand, China, Hong Kong & Zurich  that sounded alluring, however as it often happens with those types of projects, they didn't work out. =( Oh well, maybe next time. I am really hoping to start going someplace warm for a few weeks in the winter to break up the winter. Something to aspire to next year!

 
 Gladys sporting one of our newly designed T-Shirts at one of her many mud run courses!


The monthly Krav Tactical Seminars went well again. Including the popular Summer Bootcamps. Once again if you missed them no worries, keep an eye on our 2015 calendar here for some exciting additions to next years line up!



The PeaceWalker Project and Krav Maga Tactical Seminars lead me to work with many organizations this past year: Police Departments, churches, health care facilities, service providers, schools, non-profits and other organizations this year from all over the U.S. ranging from numerous locations in Michigan, Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Indiana, Ohio, Georgia & Kentucky. Finished the year with 126 workshop, speaking engagements and trainings not including my regular ongoing Krav classes or private lessons.



Speaking of Krav Classes: It was another great year of Krav-lishous-ness! On-going classes kept us going and the seminars took us over the top. Thanks to our assistant instructors: Andy Veen, Marc Specter & Chris Cohee. I appreciate ALL of your help when I'm on the move and can't be in class! It wouldn't be the same without you guys!

And also a big hand for the three guys who are being trained to be assistant instructors as well: Ryan Ruffini, Todd Hendricks & Larry McDonald. I'm looking forward to working together this year.



   

Two grueling Krav tests! Congrats to all who tested their limits and succeeded in showing themselves that they can go further, dig deeper and protect more clearly than they thought possible!

And as usual, Jack Hoban's Resolution Group International was kicking as well! We instructed two, three day trainings out in New Jersey and worked with over a dozen and a half Police Departments, Parks Service, educators, some military units and other miscellaneous protectors from other walks of life.  We are making head way in many areas and looking forward to what 2015 holds as well. 




In October I went down to Kentucky to get my Verbal Defense & Influence Advanced Instructor Certification. We (RGI) are affiliated with VDI, so we cross train in each others courses. Special thanks to Gary Klugiewicz of VDI.




But didn't stop there, we produced not one, but TWO RGI DVD's this year: Volume 3 - Ground Defense and Volume 4 - Conflict Communicator.  


 


The last part of the year was truly a whirl wind! Seminars with the Sheriffs Dept. Traffic Squad, DTE Energy, Volunteer work with the Job Corps, Susan G. Komen For the Cure West Michigan and many others!
 




Put together two new promo videos for Ronin Martial Arts and The PeaceWalker Project:



PeaceWalker
Ronin Krav Maga


Amidst all of this I took quick trip to Japan to do some training and touring! Great trip!



And to finish my year off with a bang!? I had much needed and overdue elbow surgery, which is going fabulously. Here's some of the stuff they removed from my elbow below (not including the  bone spurs). Had surgery late last Thursday, cast came off Sunday and I am ahead of schedule for healing already! I already have more range of motion than I've had in over two and a half years! Good, because it took me about 9 months to plan the down time and schedule all of my other engagements around the procedure. I'll be back better than ever in a couple more weeks!



 Well, I know much more has happened than that last year, but those are the highlights! So what's for 2015?! Well, A LOT!! I should have my forthcoming book ready for editing and soon after release. I have at least 5 SUPER SEMINARS on the horizon which will range from Business applications, Krav Maga, Conflict Management and Leadership. Of course there'll be some RGI Events in there as well as other seminars and trainings. I'm excited to be working on some cool new collaborations with some new people in 2015 as well!  So Stay Tuned!! 2014 was just a warm up!

All of that aside, I want to leave you with something more to the heart so to speak:

My wish for all of us is to see beyond our own boundaries, our own emotions and our own ignorance. To see that Everyone's Life is to Be Respected and Protected the best that we can. Live beyond our own groups, our own color, our own ethnicity, our own class, our own country, religion, values or beliefs. 

Please listen closely: It hurts us to hurt others and the only ones that can do this, that can accomplish bringing more peace to our world is each and every one of us, together. Period!

 So while we're waiting for everyone to figure it out, stop hating and start clarifying. Stop reacting and start training to respond to the ACTIONS without all of the hate, demonization, polarization, and dehumanizing. 

Let go of the fear: The fear of not being enough, or the fear of being everything. The fear of not saying something or saying too much. Of not DOING something or of DOING too much! And I'm not talking violence here, that's easy. I'm talking about love and respect. How can you more clearly communicate LOVE and RESPECT? Especially to those you don't like, you don't trust, you fear! It takes guts! Skill! Clarity! And you have to be GOOD! 

So...What are YOU DOING?! Get off facebook and make a difference by what you do and who you are. And for God's sake work on some skills! It'll help!

 Protect Life when needed and remember that violence begets more violence, so when you must do, DO, but strive for most good least harm for all as best as you can. Today's enemy can be tomorrow's ally. And that "enemy" might not be as foreign as you think!


Merry Christmas All!

~Craig

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