I started my martial arts journey when I was around 9 years old. I loved Samurai Sunday and Bruce Lee as a kid. I started in Karate at my local Boys and Girls Club. I then later studied Judo and Tae Kwon Do. During high school I took a break from martial arts and started again in college while attending NIU. In 1999/2000 I started training in San Soo Kung Fu, with Sifu Jim. Sifu Jim eventually found out about Sifu Arthur Berry and the Kung Fu Club of DeKalb.
We first viewed the training at our old Lions Park training spot. I saw Sifu Zeke doing an amazing form with jumping kicks (Rambling Leg). I was hooked from that point on. I fell in love with the amazing contrast of styles between hard (Shaolin) and soft (Tai Praying Mantis). I also fell in love with the deep lineage the club has, going back to Grand Master Chin Ho Yin. This club is also more of a family than a class, and that is why it draws in such a diverse group of people, of all races, sexes and ages.
The pursuit of this art is a never- ending journey of learning. I learn something new every class; and hope to keep learning even more in the future.
