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 WHERE IT BEGAN I started training in Martial Arts in a roundabout way, as a 14 year old junior high school wrestler. The intensity of the training set the stage for what followed. As a wrestler, I competed throughout high school, and eventually began AAU competition. It wasn't until 20 years later, as a 3rd degree black belt - Sensei - that the Brazilian JuJutsu phenomenon launched a resurgence, and I discovered a newfound appreciation for the wresting skills from high school!
My 1st Asian martial arts training began about the same time, in the style known as Hapkido. I continued that training until after high school. Shortly after high school, I enrolled in the US Air Force, was trained as a medical corpsman, and ended up assigned to the base hospital at Keelser AFB, in Biloxi, Mississippi. For the next 2 years, I was stationed there, assigned to a labor and deliver room where I assisted in over 200 deliveries. JAPANESE SHOTOKAN When I wasn't busy helping deliver babies, I spent lots of time running to the local Japanese Shotokan school. I'll never forget that training, our instructor was a marine drill instructor, then a state trooper, and he ran his school like a boot camp. His studio was a cinder block building in Gulfport, Ms., with no AC and poor ventilation. Tough training, on a hot Mississippi summer day, made us feel we were training in an oven! Or you could find me at the base gym, training with other soldiers from all over the world, who were trained in countless styles of martial arts and self defense. So it was a great learning experience, in many ways. CHINESE KENPO / KOREAN KANG DUK WON I joined a local St. Louis karate school back in 1988, called World Systems Institute, that combined 2 separate martial arts - kenpo and kang duk won - into their training regimen. It seemed the perfect fit for me, and led to a long-standing relationship. There's few things that bond karate folks together better than putting the gloves on, and there was plenty of that with all the fellow karate maniacs that found their way to WSI (think Fight Club)! Many of us trained together all the way through our 1st Degree black belt, under the outstanding instruction of Sensei John Saali. OKINAWAN SHURI TE WSI went out of business shortly afterwards, and I left with my Shodan rank (1st Degree Black Belt), in search of a new instructor, and more training. My path led me to Master James Hampton, founder of the Bushido World Karate Association. Shuri Te was the official style, yet the thing I noticed right away was that Master Hampton made the Bushido Organization an open school, welcoming any style of fighter through the door. Many schools are the exact opposite, and very closed to any other style of martial art. The benefit of this were the numerous styles and martial artists that joined our ranks, and rose to the level of instructor. Tae Kwon Do, Karate, boxing, jujutsu, capoiera, so many different styles to learn from made it an incredible place to train. It was during my years with WSI and Bushido that I caught the tournament fever, along with many of my fellow students. In my 8th year of competition, I  won a Grand
Championship in both traditional Forms (Kata)
competition, and sparring (Kumite),
and so did my son Dustin, who had by then earned his 1st Degree black
belt. I thought that was a good time to retire from competition, and
so I did! Dustin has since gone on to become a winning tournament
champion, Golden Gloves fighter and MMA fighter. At my 5th degree
black belt exam, over 100 black belts sat on the testing board. You'll
rarely see so many black belts anywhere, a testament to the leadership
of Master James Hampton.
BOXING Bushido World Karate became a training ground for police and firefighters training to compete in the annual 'Guns and Hoses' boxing event. This event is held every year to raise funds for Backstoppers, an organization that helps the families of fallen police and firefighters. I fought police officer Bill Noonan way back in 1989 in a bout the Post-Dispatch called 'the running of the bulls', winning a split decison. Decided that was another good time to retire! NIA Now that I'm almost 50, I've evolved my training from my old fighting days to aspects of training I can do for life. Less fighting - I don't heal as fast - and more traditional karate, especially forms training. A friend introduced me the art that is Nia. It combines a fusion of martial arts, dance arts, yoga, body awareness and exercise concepts, taught to music. Now, you may think it's way too soft for an old fighter, but under the lead of Nia Black Belt Robin Bach, I soon found that Nia was one of the toughest workouts I'd ever encountered. It's a great way to workout in a fun filled way, highly recommended for women AND men! CARDIO/WEIGHT TRAINING My weight training was closely taught to me by a leading West Coast trainer and competitive body builder. I learned a technique of isolating specific body parts in a free weight workout that can be completed in under 20 minutes, yet produce amazing results. It's a workout you can easily do for the rest of your life, and maintain the body shape you want. We'll supplement your free weight training with a fitness ball, and resistance bands. I bring that experience to you at the St. Louis Fitness Club, to help you achieve any fitness goal you may have! QUALIFICATIONS - SENSEI DAVE BEARDSLEY • ACE Certified Personal Trainer • 5th Dan Black Belt - Chinese Kenpo/ Korean Kang Duk Kwon • Martial Artist for the past 30 years, cross trained in Aikido & Boxing • Open Tournament compeptitor for eight years • Grand Champion - Traditional Forms (Kata), and Kumite (Sparring) • Taught Self Defense and traditional Martial Arts to hundreds of students • 1999 Instructor of the Year, Bushido World Karate Organization • Karate College - Trained under World Champions Bill 'Superfoot' Wallace and Joe Lewis • Numerous Self-Defense clinics for companies, women's groups, and more |
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