“What Do You Teach?”

I was already rated nationally — took second place in the 1972 National Korean Karate championships. But when I sought to improve my fighting, I wanted the best of the best of the best.

I researched. And at one time, SIX OUT OF TEN top karate competitors in the California-Nevada-Arizona tri-state area were all Steve Muhammad’s (at that time, “Steve Sanders”) direct or indirect students. It was SICK. I knew this was the tribe to which I yearned to belong. These were the warriors who could guide me to that aspect of humanity.

I humbled myself and went to his school. I introduced myself to the man I’d seen at the World Martial Arts Expo moving with a level of speed, power, precision and positive energy I’d never witnessed.

“Hello,” I said. “My name is Steven Barnes, and I’d like to learn karate.”

“That’s good,” he replied, smiling. “We’d like to teach you karate.”

I paused, just a little nervously. There was something about that school I’d never felt at a strip-mall dojo. It felt more like walking into the Main Street boxing gym. These guys weren’t “karateka”…they were FIGHTERS who used karate to channel their ferocity. Serious difference.

“I…” Jesus this was hard to say, but in comparison to what I saw in that school, what I was about to say was true. “I don’t know how to fight.”

He smiled. “That’s all right. We do.”

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