El Dojo NYC

When I think of tough and resilient students I think of this ONE! meet the mighty Rose 🌹 when she started with us she was just three years old. Through training she has inspired her sister to follow in her footsteps👣. I am so excited to welcome her to the 7-12 class way to go Rose El Dojo te ama ❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹❤️🌹🐅🐅🥋🔥🥋🔥

Happy Mother’s Day! To my first teacher My mother. I appreciate all of the selfless love you’ve shared with me.Some of my biggest cries and my biggest laughs have been with my mom.
She taught me how to be Resilient! Everyday she reminded me how handsome I was even though at times I didn’t believe it 😢Mostly she taught me how not to take life too seriously and to accept people with their faults while making fun of them for good measure 😂 I love you and all of your Gypsy like ways …. ❤️
Happy Mother’s Day to all of our moms and those who act as our mothers EL DOJO te AMA❤️😉😉

48 😘

A few years ago, I found myself teaching the kids at El Dojo NYC about devotion.

Around that time, my wife had been telling me for years to read The Count of Monte Cristo. It sat on the shelf… untouched. One day, as an act of devotion to her, I finally picked it up.

It took me 9 months (I’m not a great reader). There were chapters I didn’t understand, moments that felt slow, parts that didn’t seem to make sense at the time.

But by the end… it all came together. And it was one of the most beautiful experiences—not just reading it, but sharing that journey with her.

That stayed with me.

So if I have any advice on my 48th birthday, especially for anyone going through something heavy, challenging, or even heartbreaking…

What you’re in right now is a chapter—not the whole story.

Some chapters are confusing.Some feel like they don’t belong.Some hurt more than you expected.

But they all have a place.

Keep going. Keep showing up. Trust that it will make sense in time.

martialartsmindset

Today we turn 4!! We decided to have a great big bash and beat up a piñata with gloves and some bad karate… I’ve learned so much in these first four years.
1. My family goes above and beyond for me
2. Students and parents love El Dojo
3. Tomorrow is a new day and you should let the opportunities surprise you.🎉🙌
🎉 ❤️

Always bringing her fierce attitude to class !!!! Congratulations Emma we are so proud of you !!!!

We love
Congratulations to our very own Diplo! You rock, great job on your new belt!!! 🥋🙌

About 13 years ago, I met a fellow martial artist, Joseph Rivera. We taught together at the same dojo, and during that time he inspired me and changed my approach to teaching. Working with him helped me organize my style into something more efficient and effective. Because of Joseph, I became a better teacher—and I still use many of those methods today.

This past snowy Sunday, I had the privilege of spending the day teaching alongside him at Blitz Dojo in Brooklyn.

Blitz Dojo, you should be incredibly proud of the community you’ve built. To the competition team, your focus and commitment were outstanding, and I truly appreciated my time with you all. Best of luck to every one of you!

Sensei Vicky and Sensei Joe, thank you for welcoming me and allowing me to come train and teach with your team.

A battle of epic proportions took place at the dojo last night! We appreciate each and every one of you!🔥🔥

I wanted to make the Brown Belt a real challenge at El Dojo. Our Brown Belt represents the first step in becoming an advanced student. Many of these students have trained over 3 years and are the first students I enrolled. They will set the bar for what our Black Belts will look like.

Congratulations to all of you. You make El Dojo proud!

20!!! Have you ever felt the feeling of
I’m in the right place at the right time ? For the past 20 years I have felt this way every day being married to my wife.
Today marks our 20th anniversary.

Lissete. In my world 🌍 you are the highlight of my life.my favorite day of the week ! My greatest accomplishment! I am crazy about you like when we met.

If I could share any advice with anyone being married or getting married I’d share this that was told to me the first year of our marriage

How would you treat her if you were dating her ? I’ve remembered these words and I still try to treat her this way even after all these years. Keep that passion alive Choose to BE IN LOVE and turn towards each other instead of away in times of struggle !

Happy anniversary to us Lissete Youre where I’m Supposed to be.