Testimonial Letter

It Was Awesome!

22 November 2000

Dear Richard Machowicz:

Thank you for the FIST Intensive. It was awesome! In three days I learned more about wining a physical confrontation than 15 years in martial arts training had taught me. You were candid and held nothing back. You answered questions that other instructors over the years never would or could. Additionally, you filled in the gaps left from studying sport or hobby martial arts that are mostly taught for money and not for surviving violence. Because of your Seminar I now recognize many of the weaknesses normally taught at martial arts schools and in self-defense courses and I can tell the difference between what is fact and what is fiction. I’ll never view the martial arts the same again. Never!

Your approach was effective because you didn’t just give us "new" techniques but focused on the development of the mind and on "how" to learn. You taught us how to "knock down" our targets (achieve our goals), maintain mental toughness (overcome our fears), and remain focused (keep our minds in the game). These mental attributes are invaluable because they work for everything, not just the martial arts. In fact, they work so well that even after three very long days of training I found myself not tired, but energized. Rather than diminishing, my energy level grew from the beginning of the seminar to the end.

Bukido® works. Because of its simplicity and effectiveness it does what other martial arts only profess: it can teach a small person, such as a women, to protect herself. In fact, the greatest part of the seminar was witnessing a 100-pound lady transform herself in the course of three days. At first, she appeared diffident and hesitant in her ability to handle herself in a violent encounter. However, by the end of the class she no longer looked vulnerable but rather intense and dominating. She confidently threw and handled men more than twice her size. It was inspiring to see. I wish everyone could experience this class, especially women. Perhaps then criminals wouldn’t think they could take advantage of them.

Most important to our success in learning was your skillful instruction. You didn’t allow anyone to "quit" (mentally or physically) and openly answered all of our questions to our satisfaction. You focused wholly on our learning and removed all possible distractions so that we could. Everyone from the most experience martial artist to the beginner, learned much from this seminar that won'’ soon be forgotten. You passion, knowledge and conviction is what make Bukido® exceptional.

Thank you greatly,

Dan Couillard

P.S. I look forward to my next Bukido® training.