40 years ago, I paid my first months commercial rent. At the time I had been teaching for about a year and I’ll tell you…Signing a big commercial lease was more than a little scary. Little did I think I’d still be at it 40 years later.

We’ve always taught what nowadays is called “combat’ arts, I still call them Martial Arts. “Combat’ Arts weren’t designed for the average Joe. They were for hard-core, full-time fighters. Developing methods which work well for the average person (who needed self-defense) but was definitely not a ‘fighter’ was a challenge I faced for years. Now, I’m busy evolving the approach which I developed.

I produced great fighters back then. But, over the years the fighters got even better. Competitive fighting is limited. Nowadays, I develop students much easier, safer and smarter. And while I still have students interested in competing, I’m proud to say I developed methods which make EVERYONE good, not just those few who want to compete.

It’s been said we’re the oldest school (of our type) & (in continual operation), in the United States. I don’t know if that’s true, but it sounds right. I know we’re probably the largest but what’s most important to me is, i believe, we are the best. To think we did it right here, in the middle of the bible belt, on Indy’s west side, is a testament I did (at least) something right.

To be honest, back in the beginning, I wasn’t focused on longevity or legacy. I just loved to train. I loved Martial Arts and I loved helping people. I still love sharing my passion for Martial Arts and I believe it’s that passion which sustained me over these 4 decades.

My Father and Uncle were in Martial Arts, I was the second generation and now my daughters are the third. So, I guess fighting really is the family business. My Father’s gone and my Uncle has long stopped training, but I still teach and I still train, week in and week out. And I still feel excited every time a student improves!

In addition to my wife Tammy, who’s a previous world champion and remains a total bad-ass, and my daughters Rachel and Sophia, I have other great people helping me. The most vital is James. He grew up in my school, won his championships here, met and married his wife here and continues to have a positive impact on students each day. Additionally, there are other students whom are developing well and will (hopefully) become Instructors too. Together they all ensure the future of Indianapolis Martial Arts Club.

If people knew all the sacrifices made and the high prices I paid, simply to keep the school going, they wouldn’t believe it. it wasn’t easy. It still isn’t. You wouldn’t think there would be so much involved. In actuality, there’s a gazillion factors which ALL: must be ‘just right’ to make a school a success. But, Doing anything RIGHT, is never easy.

The world certainly changed a lot in forty years. People are different. They’re more angry and more anxious. They’re largely unhealthy. Now, they need self-defense against diabetes, heart disease, depression and isolation. But, they still also need practical, effective self-defense skills too, maybe more than ever.

The current generation gets criticism for being entitled, spoiled and having little focus and no grit. Some, are like that…BUT not all. I have a ton of really nice young people. Many of the young people I encounter haven’t had had the opportunity to show their true mettle or test their spirit. But they’re willing to test themselves.

This generation is suffering a lack of leadership. They haven’t been taught respect. They don’t respect their health, themselves or one another. Many don’t even respect their country. They equate being patriotic to being a ‘follower’. No one taught them civics. They’ve never learned you can love your country, yet disagree or hate your government.

They haven’t learned “the hard way’ is almost always the ‘right’ way.

I believe they’re tougher, smarter and more capable then they get credit for. They just need some help. Those in my school seem different. When it counts, I believe they’ll take on the challenge, step up and show their capacity for achievement, compassion and service to others.

Over the years I’ve had so many great students. Back in the very beginning there was Shawn, Chad, Greg and Lisa. They had the Warrior spirit. I still see most of them, but some are gone from this earth…. they’re gone, but not forgotten.

Over the years I developed many great students…too many to list. I appreciate their efforts and their drive. I appreciate the opportunity to of made an impact on their lives. I certainly hope they enjoyed my guidance as much as I enjoyed watching them succeed.

For quite some time, I’ve been teaching the kids of people whom I first trained when they were just kids. Now, we’re even teaching the grand kids.

There’s still lots to do. There’s still lots of need. There is still a lot of ‘Fight’ left in me.

I, plan on teaching a class or two after I die.

But, to be safe, you should come and train some sooner than later.

Remember, You don’t get too old to train, you get old because you stopped training!

Ouss,

Ray Sarkine