Podcast #005 - Self-Defense & Warrior Spirit - Grand Master David Amiccuci
I’m not paranoid, I’m prepared
This week’s episode, I had the great pleasure of interviewing self-defense expert Grandmaster David Amiccuci. David has a wealth of experience and has been training in martial arts since the fourth grade when he started wrestling. David has been training in martial arts for over 40 years and was a correctional officer for 29 years, where he was the Team Leader for their tactical team for the majority of his career. I was blessed to have trained with Grand Master Amiccuci for eight years and received my black belt.
The older I’ve become and the more I’ve grown, I’ve realized how impactful martial arts was on me. It strengthened my mind, molded me to have a warrior spirt and a never quit attitude. Martial artist and self defense expert Tony Blauer has a great article called “The Economics of Violence,” which basically states you can’t afford to get attacked. What will it cost you to be attacked? The emotional, psychological trauma. Self defense is an absolute necessity in my opinion. The ability to protect your family and loved ones should be taught to everyone, and I feel grateful to have been influenced by Grand Master Amiccuci.
David is a 9th degree black belt in Kajukenbo. Kajukenbo was founded in 1947 and some credit it as the first MMA. Kajukenbo is a hybrid martial art that phonetically breaks down as Ka (Karate) Ju (Judo/Jiu-Jitsu) Ken (Kenpo) Bo (Chinese Boxing/Gung-Fu). The originators of Kajukenbo wanted to create a martial art that had the best of all these martial arts. They wanted something that was street effective especially on the dangerous streets of Hawaii. Kajukenbo specializes in neutralizing multiple attackers, disarming people armed with weapons such as clubs, bats, knives, and guns. I can tell you from first hand experience, Kajukenbo works and it is one of the most effective martial arts I have experienced.
Every class needs to be a victory. The only time it’s a loss is if you don’t learn something.
David specializes in improvised weapons and using his environment as a weapon. David is experienced in unorthodox weapons such as the whip and sjambok. David is especially talented and well versed in knife fighting and knife defense.
If you’re someone who wants to learn some basic self defense principles, but don’t want to make it an every day thing, I can’t recommend enough David’s yawara seminar. David modified the class over the years and the class includes a tactical flashlight. It’s one of the best self defense classes I’ve taken and afterwards you’ll learn key principles like body mechanics, awareness, pressure points, throws, and more.
Timeline
07:45 - David’s first martial art
13:05- How David was introduced into Kajukenbo
16:25- Origins of Kajukenbo
19:20 - Ahgung Tony Ramos and his early days
23:08 - A great story and prank that Ahgung played on students
24:00 - Why Kajukenbo is so effective and history of Ahgung’s street fights
34:50 - David’s two most dangerous weapons
35:45 - David tells a life & death story where he had to use his martial arts to survive
45:40 - The mental gift I received from martial arts
47:20 - The principles of defeating multiple opponents
50:40 - How Tony Ramos Kajukenbo teaches dealing with attackers armed with weapons
51:59 - Why students need a ‘Why’ when training martial arts
55:25 - 97/3 rule
58:50 - What David took out because it didn’t work, and what he added because it was so effective
1:01:45 - Using improvised weapons
1:08:50 - Edged weapons
1:19:30 - David and why he learned to master the whip
1:22:30 - The sjambok (South African Crowd Control Tool)
1:23:26 - Exciting projects that GM Amicucci is working on
1:29:10 - The three martial artists GM Amicucci is inspired by
1:34:15 - GM Teddy Sotelo and the creation of Ho Fi Kuen (Fast Fist)
1:38:10 - David’s personal story with Ho Fi Kuen
1:41:20 - The one thing everyone should know when it comes to self defense
1:46:10 - Top hacks, rituals, daily practices
1:48:37 - Where people can find GM Amicucci
David’s Book Recommendation:
Paradigm of the Moral Warrior - Lt Dave Rose/Sgt Rocky Warren
Pursuit: 21 Day Prayer and Fasting Devotional - Dave Patterson
David’s Favorite Hacks/Tools
The Fascianator by Anthony Chrisco
Where to find GM David Amiccuci
@tonyramoskajukenbo on IG
Email: trkprof@me.com
TRK Headquarters
1321 Oliver Rd
Fairfield, CA 94533