Tae Kwon Do Instructor and Scholar
Self-defence
I taught tae kwon do in Perth’s western suburbs for more than 25 years (1995–2023), and an issue that I constantly saw was the apparent complacency towards personal safety held by many people in the area—and bear in mind, this includes people who had chosen to enrol themselves or their children in martial art schools.… Continue reading Beware the person who has nothing to lose
Here in Western Australia, we are blessed to live in a relatively safe and peaceful social environment. There are plenty of countries at war, and plenty of states, cities, and towns where just physically being there places you at serious risk of injury or death. There are also plenty of places, even in Western Australia,… Continue reading It will never happen to me
As we begin 2025, I am pleased to outline some key principles for my tae kwon do school, to help guide those who might like to train alongside and learn from me. Take your time to read through; the aim is to give you a good sense of my teaching philosophy and teaching style.. 1.… Continue reading Invitation to membership in 2025
Many people seem to think of martial arts primarily in terms of physical fighting skills. While we should not hold romanticised or otherwise unrealistic views about martial arts, it has to be said that traditional martial arts often aimed at developing the student in much broader ways than just physical capability. If two opposing forces… Continue reading Protecting yourself from cybercriminals and criminal gangs
One thing I have drilled into my students over the past 30 years is that, if they are ever attacked one day, it is virtually guaranteed that their attackers will be bigger and stronger than they are. (And if not, then expect that there will be multiple attackers and that they will be armed.) Common… Continue reading Bigger and stronger
Twenty-three years ago today, a historic attack on the United States of America had far-ranging ripple effects for that nation and across much of the world. Without commenting on any faction involved, and with respect towards the many lives lost on the day and in the years following, it was something that forced the USA… Continue reading Facing reality
On the bus on the way to work this morning, along a narrow street, a man in a parked vehicle suddenly swung his door (the driver’s door) open and started stepping out onto the street. The bus driver had to make an emergency braking manoeuvre and also pull to the right—running into the branches of… Continue reading A close call