Give us a little background of your life outside of PAMA.

My wife Meredith and I are parents of twin boys (Kasra and Shaiden) who will be turning 4 in Oct. We moved to the area from Brooklyn in 2006 once we found out that the dynamic duo was turning into a fabulous four. Currently I work full-time as a Creative Director for a marketing and promotions company in New York City and work part-time building a photography business for myself.

Do you have any pre-PAMA Martial Arts history? What made you first interested in Martial Arts?

When I was around 10 or so, a family friend who was skilled in Karate, offered to casually teach a few neighborhood kids some of the basics in the art. I remember enjoying the "classes" and dropped my after school soccer practices to get more into martial arts. My parents signed me up for something more official, and that's when i got into Tae Kwon Do. We moved not too long after, so I was only involved in this TKD class for about two years. The fact that I was always the smallest kid in my class, I think, contributed to me looking up to martial arts as a way to build confidence. Jump ahead a few years to high school... that's when I got really into wrestling. My high school was a boarding school, so there was no ability to get involved with sports or classes outside of campus. With wrestling, I had the same positive feelings that I had with TKD -- individual mind and body control, and an understanding of my options with opponents.

When did you first start training at PAMA and how did you hear about PAMA?

I was at a holiday party with some fellow photographers and began talking to one who had just gotten back from Japan to test for his black belt. We began talking about martial arts and all the different styles, which really made me want to learn more. My birthday is in December and as a present to myself, I researched online for something to stimulate my mind and body. I became fascinated with JKD. I quickly found the highly praised PAMA right in my backyard (I live in Princeton Junction). I came in for an Jun Fan intro lesson, and the rest is history.

I signed up to train at PAMA December of 2009, and after being gone for most of the month on holiday, began more of schedule in January.

What does martial arts mean to you and what are some of the key things that it has taught you?

I see martial arts as a way of life. Discipline, respect, and how to build a stronger/agile mind and body... the more you endure, the greater your understanding of all things.

How has training at PAMA helped you in other areas of your life?

Mental, physical, and character development goes a long way in all areas.

What is your favorite thing about class and PAMA?

My favorite thing about PAMA is the quality and variety of the arts offered and being part of something greater than I am.

Any additional comments?

Thanks to Sifu Rick and the entire PAMA family for the opportunity to grow.