IT IS AMAZING how many fighters—in the ring or out—seldom, if ever,
thoroughly study their opponent before they engage in battle. They may watch a
video or two but such a “preparation for battle” does not reflect a true,
studious and serious effort to understand the opponent and accomplish the task
at hand, which is to win the conflict, not simply to become a combatant in it.
Warriors, true warriors, go into battle with one and only one thought—victory.
Sun Tzu knew this, as did General George Patton, Sir Winston Churchill and
other highly intelligent and successful warriors.
JOHN LOVELL is a fellow warrior. A military veteran, he is highly skilled in
combat and self-defense but is also extremely funny and hilariously
entertaining, especially while sharing his knowledge and martial arts prowess
with his audience.
Clark “Flash” Hyman, the sixteenth Black Belt of the Karate Institute of
America, introduced John Lovell and his Warrior Poet Society to the KIA.
Thanks, Flash!
About John Lovell
John Lovell is the Founder and CEO of the Warrior Poet Society — a
values-based community dedicated to physical protection, the pursuit of truth,
and living for higher purpose. His message has garnered over 100 million views
across social media and streaming platforms. John is a former war veteran and
Special Operations soldier, having served in 2nd Ranger Battalion. After his
military service, he served as a Christian missionary in Central America
full-time. Today he is a video content creator, public speaker, firearms
trainer, and homesteader. John lives on a small farm in Georgia with his wife
and two sons.
Thursday, June 1st., my beloved father, Roger Griffin, passed from this life
to Eternity in the presence of his Lord Jesus Christ.
It is a sad occasion to share such news. Roger Griffin passed away on 1 June
2023, in Sandpoint, Idaho. He will be sorely missed. Mr. Griffin and Mrs.
AviceMarie Griffin raised four sons—Joel, Josh, James and Ben— and one
daughter, Anastasia. In fact, two Griffin family members became KIA Black
Belts: James, aka “Psycho” (Kiado-Ryu Black Belt #60: 7 September 2000) and
Anastasia, aka “Wildcat” (Kiado-Ryu Black Belt #55: 25 April 1998).The entire
Griffin family has always been supernal human beings—God centered, positive,
generous, kind, accomplished, patriotic and an undeniable tribute to their
friends and community.
In war the first thing you must do is secure yourself against defeat.
Martial Arts teaches us to always be prepared to defend ourselves against an
attack. It does, of course, have other benefits but survival is its most
critical quality.
Some people may consider preparation to be paranoia. Nonsense. Preparation is
not paranoia. It’s common sense. Obviously, we do not live in a loving,
peaceful, harmonious world. Rather, we live in an inharmonious world—one
existing in a perpetual state of opposition, struggle and conflict. Ignoring
this fact makes us foolish. Embracing it makes us wise.
The following is an excerpt from Chapter 2 of The Karate Consciousness: From
Worldly Warrior to Mystic Master.
Man was not created to dominate his fellow man. He was created to live in the
fullness of the Light and to radiate that Light throughout the corridors of
the universe.
The karate consciousness of today is not centered in the fullness of the
Light—divine illumination and understanding as characterized by life, love,
peace, perfection, purity, prosperity, health, harmony, strength and wisdom.
Rather, and quite noticeably, it is centered in a consciousness of dominance
and what shall be referred to herein as the Power in the Flock Syndrome.
In the early years of the Karate Institute of America his call sign was
“Hollywood.” A champion fighter, he ignited fear in the mind and psyche of his
opponents. He could kick you in the head just as easily as punching you in the
gut. In a phrase, he was “one bad dude!” Not only was he a great competitor,
he was flamboyant and exciting to watch in his patriotic red, white and blue
karate gi. “He” is Guy McDonald, call sign “Hollywood.”
