My 1st Degree Black Belt:

Since my first class taken at Team Karate Centers back in 2006, I have gradually achieved numerous goals as well as the foundations of my confidence, presentation, posture, and attitudes toward my environment. With the help of many instructors, including Master Fariborz, Mr. Ash, Mr. Patrick, Mr. Terry, Mr. Leif, Mr. Bill, and a multitude of others, I progressively was able to learn the tools necessary to better my relations with teachers, elders, and ultimately people in general. Yet in order to travel this extraordinary journey, multifarious challenges were to be overcome.
Preceding my training at T.K.C., my attitudes toward my surroundings were often shallow and self-serving. I was not interested in making an effort of reaching out to others as a result of an introverted personality. I had mild issues of self-esteem, which consequently was reflected through my posture. I was overall a timid and self-concerned person.
As I grew accustomed to my surroundings at T.K.C., I was able to learn to focus on what I could do. An assertive presence was essential, and eventually built into habit through practice. Physical training and the practice of synergy with others also helped boost my self-confidence. My inception into the concept of kaizen was the final building block to push me toward excellence, and constantly improve and better all aspects of my life.
As I grew in knowledge and advanced through the curriculum, the introduction to sparring and grappling also played a key part in advancing my understanding of karate. The preconceived notion of a winner-loser fight was quickly eliminated as the real intent began to be displayed. These practices were not in reality concerned with loss or win, but improvement. It also clarified the importance of using fighting as a last resort, and to use such as only a self-defense. With the knowledge of a mature attitude towards martial arts, I was ready to advance to what would manifestly have to come next.
Karate has been a terrific asset to my life, and has forever changed who I am for the better. I was given the tools to discover the potential in myself, in the value of synergy, and in a more knowledgeable view of marital arts. My journey has not only enhanced my character, but has also made me a greater positive influence on my surroundings.

My Red and Black (Qualification) Belt:

My Red Belt:

My Brown Belt:

My Blue Belt:

My Green Belt:

My Yellow Belt:

My Orange Belt:

My Mission Statement

I will live my life as Christ would want me to live it. I will strive to make moral choice in personal and social situation. I will never start what I will not finish. I will do what is best for the well being of my family, society, and myself. I will not engage in activity that is mentally, emotionally, or physically depleting, but always protect and use what I have been given. I will be the best that I can, but will always aim for better.
I will live my life as Christ would want me to live it. I will strive to make moral choice in personal and social situation.
I will never start what I will not finish. I will do what is best for the well being of my family, society, and myself.
I will not engage in activity that is mentally, emotionally, or physically depleting, but always protect and use what I have been given. I will be the best that I can, but will always aim for better.
I will live my life as Christ would want me to live it. I will strive to make moral choice in personal and social situation. I will never start what I will not finish. I will do what is best for the well being of my family, society, and myself. I will not engage in activity that is mentally, emotionally, or physically depleting, but always protect and use what I have been given. I will be the best that I can, but will always aim for better.

My Essays

For over two years I have attended Team Karate Centers under the instruction of Mr. Fariborz, Mr. Ash, Mr. Leif, Mr. Titus, Mr. Josh, Mr. Lance, and many others. For more than two years I have consumed time, effort, and endurance, practicing the principal of kaizen, never halting growth physically or mentally; I continue to reach to what can never be grasped in order pursue excellence. All of every experience at T.K.C. has mounted to the moment of qualification, and ultimately Black Belt excellence. All of what I have done and what others have done for me can only amount to nothing if there is no direction to where I am going, and I must eventually answer to myself and others, why? Why is the question to everything and is applied to everything. Work can only be justified by the answer to a three-letter word. My answer is simple, and is in yet another question, and this is am I growing, enhancing, refining, expanding, or am I shrinking, contracting, diminishing, faltering. I can only proudly look at myself in the mirror knowing what answer I have, the only answer for me, and that is to make myself a better person each and every day. Black Belt excellence is not the end of my studies as a martial arts student, but a milestone in a lifelong journey. And this is reason for my prompt to become a Black Belt.

A black belt is only a fabric. Anyone can walk into a martial arts store and purchase a belt. But a Black Belt is surely something different. A Black Belt requires strength, endurance, time, effort, and experience. Without defining arrogance in explanation for why I have earned this privilege, I have undoubtedly obtained what is necessary to pursue this excellence. Being in the karate studio is in itself a privilege, and must never be forgotten. I do not pay for being there; I have not worked to pay back all the instructors who have guided me though what I have learned. The only way to come close to paying back what others have paid for me is try my hardest, do my best, and enclose all my effort in all I do. If I do not, their help is in vain. I may not have the highest kicks, the fastest mile times, or the strongest muscles; I may not have the same physical or mental status as those around me, as if this were what makes Black Belts, there are none, as all fall short of excellence. Rather it is the daily struggle to engage in kaizen, and become a better person the next day that creates a Black Belt. I do believe that I in my efforts have fulfilled this, and am ready for the next step toward excellence.

My Letters of Recommendations

Dear Kyoshi:
I am writing you concerning my son Julio Alaniz Kollerbohm, III. It is his desire to continue his studies with you and your team of instructors by taking the next step and achieving his black belt. Julio has shown himself to have the qualities necessary for such a rigorous task.
First and foremost he displays passion and loyalty to the tasks he undertakes. I have watched him seize tasks and stick with them diligently until he gets it just the way he envisioned it when he began. Whether its a film edit, a gymnastic move, a grade in a challenging course of study, or building the perfect ice cream Sunday, Julio approaches tasks with passion and finds joy in the doing.
In addition to his passion, Julio is committed to what he undertakes. On many occasions Julio has had the opportunity to excuse himself from challenges or had accommodations made for him because of his limited vision on the right side. I still remember at seven years of age that little boy pleading with me to let him just work a little harder so the teacher wouldnt give him special treatment in class. If Julio says hes going to do it, if he commits to it, he will see it through. It might take him longer, more practice, or extra time but rest assured he will do what he says.
Julio is also a respectful learner. He has a deep appreciation for the experience of his teachers and displays that in his willingness to listen before he questions. Rarely will he protest and Ive never seen him refuse to try. Ive seen him frustrated, confused, conflicted, and even angry but Ive never seen him walk away from a challenge. He is ready to continue learning.
As a candidate Julio will strive for excellence while maintaining his humility. He will not settle for what hes accomplished but always reach for a little more. His humility not only makes him approachable and enjoyable but also makes for a life long learner that will always demand more of himself.
Finally, Julio is consistent. Julios greatest victories always begin with showing up and showing up regularly. What he has committed to in his young life has always been by choice. From the gymnastics classes as a youngster, pleadings to enroll as a karate student, and his decision to study out his faith, Julio has always signed up for his activities by choice. I think this has given him ownership of his decisions and pride in his accomplishments. He WANTS to continue his studies as a martial artist therefore you can expect his full participation in all its requirements.
It is my firm belief that taking him on as part of your 2009 black belt candidates will give you great pleasure in the continued instruction of my son and great pride in the results you will pull out of him. Thank you for your time in considering his candidacy.
Respectfully,
Andrea Kollerbohm
Mother

Dear Mr. Fariborz,
Each day when we arise we have many choices; among them-to challenge, comfort, excel, perform, learn; the list is endless. Today my choice, my honor, is to recommend my Grandson Julio Kollerbohm to your program.
I found with my children that the traits they showed when they were very small were indicators of what they would be when they were grown.
When Julio was small he was remarkable. You could hold an adult conversation with him at the age of three. People would be stunned listening to him in restaurants; they would stop at our table and ask his age and shake their heads in wonderment.
As he grew more of his amazing gifts revealed themselves. His compassion, his kindness, his ability to learn, and perhaps most of all his courage in the face of extraordinary challenges for a small boy, let alone for a full grown adult left me shaking my head in awe.
I have no doubt that if Julio chooses to follow the path you have outlined; he will excel and make both you and me very proud.
Sincerely,
Michael Barnes