Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to John Rich. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi John, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

One of the things that sets Watashi No Dojo apart from most other schools is that when you walk into our dojo you will notice a lack of colored belts in our school. That is because we have a two-color belt system ; white and black! We have a 10 kyu (rank below black belt) promotional system like many other schools that helps us to see our progress, but we don’t use colored belts to physically show our rank. This is for many reasons. Most importantly, it prevents us from judging others by the color of the belt around their waist and helps to remind us that, although some have been studying longer than others, we are all people who deserve respect regardless of rank.

Early in the history of martial arts there was no concept of belt color. A belt was simply to secure the gi (uniform used for practice). Okinawa dogma stated that the belt was left unwashed as it contained the fighting spirit and soul of effort put onto training. Effectively, a white belt would just get dirtier and stained over time eventually giving the appearance of being black. This meant that someone who had just started their training would wear the same belt as someone who had been training for many years, however, only the highly proficient and long-standing students would have belts that appeared black.

As martial arts became more of an international interest, it had to appeal to as many people as possible. Trainers from the East were more patient and repetitive in their practice, but due to the differences in culture from the West where many people wanted to learn a lot in a short time and who wanted to see evidence of progression within their discipline, colored belts were adopted (from Judo) as a method to award short term goals for those wanting to see quicker results.

We offer a two belt system so that we can put our time and energy where it belongs. Not in getting the next color belt, but in working hard to make ourselves better people and better martial artists!

John, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I have been studying martial arts since 1979 and specialize in teaching Okinawan Karatejutsu and Kobudo (traditional weaponry) as well as Japanese Aikijujutsu. The combination of these arts helps to address matters of self-defense from all ranges of attack be they standing or grappling. I am the owner and head instructor at Watashi No Dojo which was voted best of Tempe 5 years in a row. I started my martial arts training at the age of 5, studying boxing with my father, a Vietnam Veteran whose job after his 1st tour was to train soldiers in what to expect in combat and later his uncle who also trained incoming Marines. I began studying Shotokan (Japanese karate) at age 10 and was introduced to Tae Kwon Do (a Korean martial art) in high school by a good friend. I eventually earned my second-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do. From Korean martial arts, I wandered the Midwest studying American kickboxing as well as Muay Thai and eventually found a passion for Okinawan and Japanese martial arts. I have earned my fifth-degree black belt in Okinawan Matsubayashi-Ryu (Okinawan karate) and my second-degree black belt in Daitoryu Aikijujutsu (a Japanese system go grappling, joint locks and throws). I have also earned an honorary second-degree black belt from Rob Corcoran Sensei and Hanshi Kunio Miyake in Shurenji Kempo for helping to streamline their traditional syllabus and show how traditional techniques can be modified and applied more effectively in a modern world. I have studied European fencing with world class fencers and studied traditional weapons work from both Okinawa and Japan. As a well-rounded martial artist, I competed in both point and full contact martial arts competitions and consider myself fortunate enough to have done very well in both arenas. I have taught martial arts to everyone from The Girl Scouts of America, kids with varied learning disabilities through the City of Tempe’s wonderful LEAP program, personal protection services, and developed specialized instruction for those who have suffered a traumatic brain injury through COVE TBI. For the past few years I have been studying Krav Maga (Israeli self-defense as well as mixed martial arts). I am also an actor, stunt fighter and fight director for both stage (I was nominated for best fight director 3 years in a row theatrically) and screen and take pride in being able to cast my students in projects as stunt fighters whenever possible.

I think that the combination of all of the above makes me a well rounded teacher and communicator. My “people first” attitude in every business venture I have undertaken has definitely driven my success as well as the success of my students. I don’t want my students to ever be as good as I am. I want them to be BETTER!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

One thing that I struggle with to this day is something I feel a lot of current business owners struggle with and, perhaps, something that prevents many from taking the leap into entrepreneurship themselves, and that’s “imposter syndrome”! No matter how much I know or do or accomplish, I tend to downplay my role in its success and tend to give credit to luck or timing etc. I think, after having a bad experience with a particular local franchise of martial arts schools, that I finally see my value and what I bring to the table as both a martial artist and business person! I would love to help others, who may feel the same way, know that they have a value and expertise that can be paralleled by no one! After all, we are ALL unique individuals with our own unique gifts!

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

If you truly have passion for something, you will always find a way forward! Through the first financial collapse, I sold one business and closed two others! I always found a way to get back to basics and success. Once you discover the formula, it’s hard NOT to succeed! If you are passionate about it, you will find a way. Plus, oftentimes, my failures helped me to see what I truly valued! I used to work in telecommunications manufacturing. I discovered through the sale of it how much lighter my soul felt and how much happier I became because, I didn’t realize when I owned that business at the time that, I hated doing it! NOW, I am a very happy Martial arts Sensei (teacher) and actor/stuntman. Adversity helped me cut out the dead wood! Your clients will see your passion because you truly will BE passionate!

Contact Info:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/senseijcr
• Other: I am revamping all of my social media, so for now check us out on Facebook or you may email me at [email protected] with any questions!