My 2nd Degree Black Belt:

My name is Lance Leonhardt and Im an Instructor at Team Karate Centers. Last year I worked hard to achieve my 1st Degree Black Belt and become an Instructor so I can share what Ive learned to my students and become a role model. This past year going for my 2nd Degree Black Belt has been filled with excitement and responsibilities as I started college and decided to improve my martial art skills and life skills. I have taken everything Ive learned from Kyoshi Fariborz, my other great instructors, and my students to become a greater martial artist and person. I now am greatly involved in teaching all ages at the studio. Ive learned how important it is to truly strive for Black Belt Excellence and set goals to achieve success. My biggest goal is to be an inspiration to martial artists and anyone to become better and strive for greatness. I believe that energy, creativity, and passion can get me anywhere in life. I hope that I will make a positive impact on many peoples lives. I would like to say a special thank you to my family who are always there to support me no matter what my choices are. Without this amazing support from everyone I wouldnt be the person I am today.

My 1st Degree Black Belt:

Hello, my name is Lance Leonhardt and I will become a senior attending El Camino Real High School. I have always been active in sports and other hobbies but I have never been so serious about anything in my life. The beginning of my own martial arts journey began when I was only six years old. I was influenced by my first experience with Master Fariborz while attending a karate birthday party at TKC. Soon after my Mom signed my sister, her and me up for lessons. Every class was so much fun and I learned so much. Unfortunately, after only a short time at TKC, and having reached the rank of a Blue Belt in the Juniors classes, I wasn't able to continue until fate intervened and gave me an amazing opportunity to rejoin TKC! After almost ten years of being away from TKC, Master Fariborz extended to me an offer, an amazing opportunity to work for my goal of becoming an instructor and in return I would be asked to make a commitment to TKC. If I accepted, I would start down a brand new path on my martial arts journey. It's no surprise that I accepted the commitment to TKC and Master Fariborz with my whole heart.
Now little more than a year has passed since that day last summer and after a lot of hard work and effort I will have successfully earned my first degree black belt at the September 2008 Black Belt Spectacular. It is my desire to become a full-time TKC instructor and continue to progress in my martial arts learning under Master Fariborz.
But I'd have to say that most importantly I've learned what it means to continually strive for Black Belt Excellence. With the personal guidance and support from my family as well as Master Fariborz, Mr. Faramarz and Mr. Ash along with the rest of TKC, I am not only on a successful martial arts journey, but also a successful life journey.
Once again, thank you Master Fariborz, you have changed my life and given me a once in a lifetime opportunity. My words can't express what this journey means to me and what it has done for me as a young man. My actions though will show everyone how much my family, my friends, and TKC means to me and I will protect them with all my strength.

My Red and Black (Qualification) Belt:

My Brown Belt:

My Blue Belt:

My Green Belt:

My Yellow Belt:

My Orange Belt:

My Mission Statement

My purpose is to express my determination to take on challenges, willingness to help others to succeed, and loyalty to all friends, family, and teachers, by constantly looking for what I can do and by making every moment and second count to achieve black belt excellence and success in life, to become a role model for all martial artists and show that anything is possible.
I am Lance Leonhardt
My purpose is to express my determination to take on challenges, willingness to help others to succeed, and loyalty to all friends, family, and teachers by constantly looking for what I can do and by making every moment and second count to achieve black belt excellence and success in life, to become a role model for all martial artists and show that anything is possible.

My Essays

My TKC experience began in the year 1998 when I was only 6 years old. I attended a birthday party and really enjoyed myself at TKC so I decided to enroll. Every class was so much fun and I learned so much. I always wanted to move on as quickly as possible and learn new things. For reasons my time ended at Blue Belt and at TKC for a long time. But my journey was never over since Im here today. Months ago it was out of chance that my mother and I saw Mr. Fariborz at a mall. He gave me an opportunity to come back to TKC and an even greater opportunity to potentially work at TKC. During that very day, I would have never known how much he would have change me into the man I am today. In the beginning I didnt know much and I didnt have a respectful attitude. I mostly developed a positive attitude and hard work in my first month of training. I spent so much time at the studio it became like a second home to me instantly. I worked hard to help clean and take care of the studio. I learned a lot from Mr. Faramarz whom taught me how to take care of the studio. I also started to learn how to teach in my SWAT class. I sacrificed so much of what I was for what I could become. It was worth it because I started earning peoples respect. As I progressed through the ranks very quickly, I learned so much and experienced so much in every belt. I started to help assist classes with Mr. Ash which helped my teaching experience so much. I learned a lot from being around him and he would always be there to help me. I also developed personal bonds with many of the students, adults, and instructors at TKC. I learned that I couldnt achieve what I want in life without the help of others. With Mr. Fariborz as my instructor I learned so much about Hapkido Blend and life. During my time through Green Belt I learned that if I care about something I have to show it. I have to give it my all. At Green Belt I began seriously teaching more often. I love working with the juniors and how much my actions can change the way they view something. I love the feeling of helping others so I tried to make sure I could always be of help. Mr. Ash gave me the opportunity to help him with birthday parties and TKC sleepovers. They always went really well, were extremely fun, and taught me new things. All of the instructors went out of their way to help me and they have become great friends as well. My time as a Blue Belt has been my favorite moment so far. It was the longest time I have had a belt. During this time I felt the seriousness of what Im part of. I learned some very important things during this time. I started to learn a lot from Mr. Faramarz and what he had to say about life. He has truly taught me that nothing is impossible. But that was only the beginning of what I learned from him. I have also been help teaching as many classes as I could handle. I experienced something very special during this time. When I stepped on the mat and started teaching there was nothing else except for what I was doing at that exact moment. No matter how bad my day was before hand it would all disappear. I learned to leave everything on the mat and to leave things off the mat. I am proud to say that a bad day has never affected my teaching or training. Now during my time as a Brown Belt I prepare for something that is so much bigger than me. To be considered as a 1st Degree Black Belt is an honor. I want to become a Black Belt to achieve things I have never achieved before. I want to take on challenges that seem unimaginable and come out showing that it is possible. I want to achieve Black Belt Excellence so I can change the world as much as I can by starting with people. I want to be able to change a persons life for the better. Without Mr. Fariborz, Mr. Faramarz, Mr. Ash, and everyone at TKC I dont know where I would be right now. Mr. Fariborz you have changed my life and given me a once in a lifetime opportunity. My words cant express what youve done for me so Im hoping my actions will.

With great honor and respect I have accepted to take my 2nd Degree Black Belt exam and journey having been asked. I think I deserve my 2nd Degree Black Belt because of the personal test Ive put myself through. It has always been about becoming better but now Ive been surpassing my limits everyday in new and difficult ways. I have always been talented but I have taken the hard work and performance up a level that will hopefully give many an unforgettable experience. Being a martial artist, as well as a student, and an instructor has taught me many things on and off the mat. One of the best things I have learned is how influential a person can be to others. The ability to change anothers life was what I experienced and now I want to pass that down to others. My ability as a martial artist has also changed rigorously and I believe that it is very important to perform physically and emotionally at a high level. During my training as a 1st Degree Black Belt I have become extremely fit with high stamina and have gone through the most fearful emotional tests on my own. But now my 2nd Degree journey has already begun and it has been intense and fierce. I will be a role model for all 1st degree candidates and martial artists. I will pass my test with enormous energy and skill. I will become an even better instructor to develop the strongest martial artists. I will show that nothing is impossible. I will not quit. I will become a 2nd Degree. I will leave behind a life changing experience.

To believe in ones self. It takes more than hard work, courage, and honor. It is one of the biggest tests in life to trust yourself. Trying to pass my limits and to keep going higher and higher, things can get scary and often effect my decisions. A Black Belt is a symbol of what it took to get myself to the next step in my life. It is that reminder of what it took to get over the fears, the challenges, and sometimes struggles. It is my passage way to becoming the best I can be. The most important thing a Black Belt means to ME is when my inner battles get tough and challenges seem to hard, I can look at myself with my Black Belt on and say I WILL NEVER QUIT.

My Letters of Recommendations

Dear Master Fariborz,
It is with great pride and honor to have been asked to write a letter of recommendation for my son, Lance Leonhardt, in consideration of his up coming 2nd Degree Black Belt testing and graduation scheduled for 2009.
I find that my awe of Lances natural talent as relates to his martial arts skills have only exponentially increased since his having earned his 1st Degree Black Belt in September 2008, but as we both know, it is not only natural talent and skill that makes for an exceptional martial artist, but as individual who implies a moral code of conduct, a work ethic, a solid practices, a strong sense of self worth, of family, of community, and a dedication to making a difference in his life. In other words, an individual who lives, breathes, and embodies what Black Belt Excellence is all about. I truly believe that Lance is and will continue to be a fine example of Black Belt Excellence!
Lances innate skills are in my humble opinion noteworthy and I anticipate that he will continue to excel in his chosen career.
Lances ability to become an effective and well respected instructor to students at all levels: little ninjas, juniors, teens, and adults in such a short time is in itself an amazing accomplishment.
Lances pride, respect, and loyalty to you, TKC, and all it represents has been above reproach and unwavering.
Lance is that rare diamond-whos brilliance in the ever new sachets that are being polished with each new day of added experience is certainly something to behold, to cherish, and to honor with his upcoming 2nd degree designation.
Respectfully,
Lynn Leonhardt - current TKC student and proud mother