Lineage

Lineage is important. It shows where your roots are in your art (or arts). Without roots there is no tree. If a teacher you seek out claims no lineage that is a red flag. You will also find below the arts I have trained in or have taken classes in. This serves two fold purpose. Documentation for me and transparency for those who have specific goals or questions. If you are looking for a teacher and you are reading this, hopefully the information below will help you decide if you think I am a good fit.

Ever grateful for the experience, wisdom, and passion of my teachers. Their dedication is a true driving force and inspiration in my training and teaching.

I am blown away at how my training has played out so far. So many challenges and surprises in my journey. In addition to those who were regular instructors there are many who help and have helped to shape my training. They may be newer students or peers. There were also many senior students who helped reinforce the concepts and skills that we are developing. This led me to my own truth. My truth is to keep training consistently. The meaning of rank and status has slowly diminished in importance.

What remains galvanized is consistency in training. Also depth of knowledge / ability in one or many arts. Understanding what we do. “Ability follows understanding ”

“Tiger does not know they cannot do, tiger does ” – Gong Sifu via Tom Morrissey

My beginning

1 year of Tang Soo Do – under  Charles Irwin (Trenton, NJ circa 1985)

 – Lineage Moo Duk Kwan  – GrandMaster Jae C. Shin

5 years Chinese Kenpo  / Chuan Fa Do – Master Ray Fisher

 – Lineage Sifu Gary McGee, Soke David McNeill, Rick Moneymaker, Peter Hill

5 Years Tai Chi Chuan (Yang) – Ray Fisher

– Lineage Willie Lim

5 Years Sparring under John T Burns / Stan Hillhouse

Gong style symbol

Since 2015

Gong Style Xing Yi Quan and Ba Gua

under Tom Morrissey. Certified instructor as of 9.22.18

– Lineage Sifu Kenny Gong (Xing Yi)

6 Years of Integrative Arts ( Balintawak, Tai Chi, Kenpo, Kung Fu, Qi Gong) – Coach Peter Hill – Lineage – Thomas Connor (Kenpo),

1st Black (Shodan) under Coach Peter Hill – May 2025

Coach Peter Hill and Integrative Arts

Additional Training

– About 60 hours (maybe more) in these disciplines. If you are local and want to hone in and focus on Muay Thai or BJJ then I do recommend the below coaches.

– Audited Muay Thai under Patrick White and John T Burns

–  Audited Brazilian Jui Jitsu under Coach John T Burns and Coach Darrel Taylor

– Lineage Professor Rob Handley / Grandmaster Flavio Behring

longjourney