Christopher Griffiths

As with painters, musicians and dancers, martial artists learn to channel mental energy into focused movement, and as with these other artists the practice unites their physical and mental worlds. 

The principle of balance is the guiding philosophy for a martial artist.  Through consistent meditation and training we achieve self-discipline, physical fitness, and try to create fearlessness in the face of adversity, physical or otherwise.  We learn to seek focus and good strategy rather than brute force, to seek self-discipline rather than gratification, and to create determination within ourselves rather than look to others for motivation.  These commitments do not stop when we leave the training grounds - they provide a template for how to live life well. 

My first love in martial arts, tae kwon do, is also an olympic sport.  I trained with Jung Ho Lee in Raleigh, North Carolina from the age of six, and hold a 3rd Dahn Black belt.

In the photo (left) I'm doing an "x-out" double kick: breaking two boards during a backflip.

I first started learning BJJ in 2007, and it taught me that size is no competition for good training.  Professor Braga of GRIPS in Hong Kong is my teacher.

This is me (standing), trying to "pass guard" after taking down an opponent.

Thai people are small, but their fighting spirit is HUGE.  Muay Thai showed me how to be a fearless competitor, and to make every act of defense into a counterattack.  

Bunkerd Faphimai (left, with champion's belts) at Fight & Fitness in San Francisco was my teacher.  He's a beast in the ring, and a really nice guy.

MMA taught me how to push myself to new limits, and to welcome bruises as teachers.  I had the pleasure of learning from  Jess "the Joker" Liaudin, of the UFC and Darren "BC" Uyenoyama of FTCC .  

That's my friend and trainer Jess on top; he won that match by armbar.