Maximum Self Defense and Fitness

I'm 40 and in better shape now than I was 20 years ago. I can attribute part of that success to Sensei Scott Kennedy and staff at Maximum Training and Fitness.

If you are like me, and a good portion of the rest of the female population, you do a better job taking care of everyone else than you do yourself. There's the job and the family and the project this and the activity that and before you know it, you are all run down...sick and tired...then what good are you to anyone?

When I turned 35, I felt like my body was starting to fall apart and my physician confirmed that there were changes that needed to be made.

I took 30 days and I journaled every minute of my day. At this point, I didn't focus on any changes, I just documented everything from sleeping, to eating, to working, to doing chores and taking care of the family. At the end of that 30 day period, I reviewed my journal and realized that I was not taking care of me. Journaling helped me to see my bad habits and how I spent my time. I am the most important person in my life and you are the most important person in your life. If you don't make yourself a priority and take care of yourself then you can't do a very good job of taking care of someone else.

I took a week and prepared my plan, not to lose weight, but to get in muscular and cardiovascular shape. The next week I started running and doing some basic strength training exercises and yes, there were times that I fell off the wagon, but when I trained, I trained hard...too hard. After running about a year, I re-injured an old college knee injury and I realized that I needed to find a workout that would build my cardiovascular endurance while reducing the impact on my joints.

I was also interested in learning some basic self-defense techniques so I called Sensei Scott Kennedy and enrolled in Maximum Karate's adult classes. Sensei Kennedy instructs the children's classes in the sessions before the adults so I was able to witness the children learning not only a martial art, but also discipline and respect for self and others. Sensei Kennedy also incorporates the physical fitness element into his classes and requires all students, including children, to increase their level of flexibility and fitness in order to advance. The training program also increases self-confidence and the student's ability to focus.

The adult class is just as intense and structured as the children's classes, but it is more physically demanding. Fortunately, one of the great things about Sensei Kennedy is that God gave him a sense of humor, patience, and understanding. Yes, we are very serious about our instruction and learning, but we have fun doing it and sometimes, we just laugh. I learned the best lesson when sparring with other students...whether you are fighting in the classroom or on the street, your opponent, male or female, has no mercy for you. If you are attacked on the street, your survival may be dependent on your understanding of that concept.

As I was leaving the pool last summer, one of the ladies stopped me and asked me where she could get arms like mine. My response to her was to eat right, maintain a positive attitude, get plenty of rest, and engage in some form of physical exercise every day and I shared my Maximum Karate & Fitness experience with her. I'm no longer training at Maximum as I took a job in Texas last September, but the fitness and self-defense techniques are lifetime lessons that I have continued to include in my fitness plan.

Sensei Kennedy is highly qualified as noted in his biography. He has trained under some of the world's foremost leaders in martial arts and continues his training as required. He is professional and courteous and inspires students to reach their fullest potential.

Give Sensei Kennedy a call and stop by to watch a training session. You will not be disappointed. His classes are open to adults of all ages and fitness levels.

Sensei Kennedy, Maximum staff, fellow students...thank you for the lessons and the laughs. I miss you and love you all. Best wishes for continued success with your training and God Bless.

Remember...today is a good day to start. Set your fitness goals and strive for progress.

Swinson

Sensei Kennedy,

Since it has been almost a year ago since I earned my Black Belt I would like to thank you for pushing me onward and never letting me stop when I sometimes felt I could not go on.

Your program has instilled confidence, self esteem and discipline in myself that I never thought was possible. The rigorous training program fully prepared me for the Black Belt testing that I was subjected to. I would highly recommend others to come and participate at Maximum Self Defense as it is definitely a program that will build self confidence and character in anyone who can accept the challenge. I personally would like to extend my gratitude to you and Melissa for all of the help and guidance that you both provided.

Sincerely,

Tammy Williams

I personally want to thank first god, for putting me and you back on the same path in the martial arts. I remember the day when you were a young man and ask me about martial arts. I inspired you to take it. Now that i am an older man and see your accomplishments, you inspired me to press forward in the martial arts. Thanks for opening the door to me in Okinawa Kenpo. It is my third style and you have taught me a lot of techniques. It is a great pleasure to know and feel the discipline, humility and self-defense and the glory of god at the beginning and end of each class. Keep up the good training.