Fred Nicklaus
The most influential instructor in my life. Mr. Nicklaus is half the reason I've had the opportunity to
do what all that I have (my mom is the other person). From providing a world class learning environment to
providing me with an opportunity to train with all my other Martial Arts coaches, Mr. Nicklaus has been
monumental in helping me develop into a well rounded Martial Artist -- not just kicking and punching basics but
also the fundamentals of being a leader and how shape the world around me with my thoughts. Everybody should be
so lucky to have an Instructor that cares for him/her as he does for his students. That's what I want to do for
the people that I help.
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Michael Bernardo
- Black Belt Hall of Fame member
- 5 Time North American Weapons Champion
- 7 Time Canadian Karate Champion
Being a world class competitor never entered my mind until Mr. Nicklaus brought Sensei Bernardo to our karate school
in La Crosse, WI for a seminar. That experience changed the course of my life forever. In the following years,
I trained with Sensei Bernardo many times. Most notably, one time in Canada at his karate school, we trained for a
whole weekend with him. In the last day of the training, he made a deal with Mr. Nicklaus to run me into the
ground. For an hour straight, Sensei Bernardo had me run my bo form over and over. Not just a section -- the whole thing,
full power, full speed, full intensity. At one point he was helping another person, so I thought I could get away with
a half effort form. He turned to me and said, "Not impressive at all." Haha...I couldn't slip one past him. The main
point of the training session was to push me outside my comfort zone to new level of performance. He and Mr. Nicklaus wanted
me to drop any reservation I had to really let my passion and energy beam from within. Because of this experience, I know how
to push people past their own boundaries and self-imposed limitations.
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Suzann Wancket-Yue
- 8 Time World Champion
- Won every Tournament in the NASKA and NBL circuits
My Sensei. She has meant the world to me and has shared with the secrets of being a Champion. Her love and passion
for bringing out the best in people. Anyone that meets her is sure to feel how positive and insightful she is. I have
trained the most Sensei Wancket-Yue. She's another person that Mr. Nicklaus has brought to our school, and since then,
I make it a point to train with her as much as possible because of her innovative training sessions and the wealth of
advice and knowledge she provides. She has a knack ironing the little things that make a champion.
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John Sharkey, Jr
- Sharkey’s Karate
- Coach of Team AKA
- Promoter of AKA Blugrass Nationals in Louisville, KY
Sensei Sharkey -- a man that has meant and continues to mean the world to hundreds of Martial Artists. For one,
he's Sensei Wancket-Yue's instructor. I value his insight and advice. His prospective provides a clarity
and simplicity to complex situations. When I need to be brought back to home, to the core -- I ask Sensei. He's a
man that continues to give. He is another in what I consider my circle of Martial Arts Mentors.
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