In the martial arts community, I’ve witnessed many types of practitioners—some genuine, some driven by a true passion for self-development and defense.
But I have also come across a troubling phenomenon: the fake martial artist. The fraud.
Indeed this blog covers such individuals. These individuals build their entire identity on lies, inflated claims, and false credentials. Their whole existence depends on maintaining an illusion, a carefully constructed persona that masks a lack of true skill and character.
Over the years, I have seen many practitioners fall victim to the illusion of rank inflation and false claims. I’ve witnessed how these toxic dynamics poison schools, confuse students, and erode the credibility of martial arts itself. I hae seen these so caalled instructors attempt to steal entire lineages, form bogus organizations and even attempt to hijack them.
For years, these types have assumed that my identity, too, is inseparable from my martial arts background or status. What they don’t understand is this: my martial arts accomplishments do not define me, they never have.
Martial arts is an important part of my life, for decades it has shaped my physical conditioning, honed my mental discipline, and grounded my spirit in principles of hard work, effort and perseverance. I am an 8th-degree black belt in Kajukenbo Kenpo Karate, a 5th-degree in Judo, and a 3rd-degree in Shotokan. These are not simply ranks; they represent years of hard training, study, and real combat experience.
These ranks do not confine me. They are markers along a path, not the path itself.
Long before I learned martial arts I was fighting. I grew up
in a tough neighborhood and as one can imagine I went through what one goes
through when raised in tough neighborhoods.
You can take away my ranks but you still have a fighter on your hands. Even before I was a martial artist. I could beat the shit out of a fake black belt or some candy ass wannabe with inflated rank.
Certificates never made the man and still don’t.
Unlike the counterfeit instructors and rank seekers I’ve
encountered, I don’t have to cling to these credentials to prove who I am. I
don’t have to train every day to maintain my worth, nor do I have to teach or
parade my accomplishments to earn respect. I don’t hae write aanother word on
the subject of the martial arts arts. My identity is grounded in far deeper
soil than Judo, karate, black belts and certificates.
One stark difference between a genuine martial artist and a fake one is how each relates to their achievements. The fake martial artist fears exposure, because their identity is brittle, forged from deception. They need everyone to see their ranks as proof of legitimacy, or else their entire persona crumbles. On the other hand, I have the strength and freedom to take what martial arts has given me and still remain unshaken if that all were stripped away. I can take it or leave it because I know that what truly defines me is not external recognition but internal integrity and authenticity.
I am more than my martial arts achievements. I am the sum of
my truth. And that is something no one, no fake ass wannabe or rank seeking
pussy, who cant fight their way out of a wet paper sack, can ever take from me.
Martial arts is a tool. It is a powerful, transformative
tool that teaches one how to move, how to think, how to respond under pressure,
but it’s not who I am. My identity goes beyond striking techniques, throws, and
forms. It is built on my character and the choices I make every day.
In a world plagued by misinformation and false idols, knowing who you are beneath all external labels is the ultimate form of resilience. The confidence to stand apart from counterfeit claims and remain true to yourself is a rare and invaluable power. I live by that power every day.
