Welcome to the project called
The Ultimate Black Belt Test.
The Ultimate Black Belt Test.
The UBBT was designed by
Tom Callos.
Tom Callos.
The UBBT is a revolutionary 13 month personal --and teacher --training program for martial artists. There
has never, in the history of the arts, been a program like this in the martial arts world --and for the last 5
years (the people you will meet below are on TEAM 5) the project has made a significant worldwide
impact on what martial arts schools teach, how they teach, and how they conduct belt testing.
The UBBT has caused the international martial arts community to look deeply at new standards for the
rank of black belt --and for how one tests for advanced ranks.
The project was launched with the intention of offering a new, more effective way to think about, to
practice, and to live the philosophy and lifestyle of the martial arts. To date, more than 70 black belts and
students from around the world have joined and pledged themselves to this experiment.
Participants join for a period of 13 months, in which time they set out to accomplish 26 tasks meant to
bring about a complete personal transformation. Each of the tasks is directly related to self-defense,
however, Team Coach Tom Callos' definition of the idea of self-defense and martial arts is what makes
the UBBT an extraordinary undertaking.
From an interview in What is Enlightenment? Magazine:
has never, in the history of the arts, been a program like this in the martial arts world --and for the last 5
years (the people you will meet below are on TEAM 5) the project has made a significant worldwide
impact on what martial arts schools teach, how they teach, and how they conduct belt testing.
The UBBT has caused the international martial arts community to look deeply at new standards for the
rank of black belt --and for how one tests for advanced ranks.
The project was launched with the intention of offering a new, more effective way to think about, to
practice, and to live the philosophy and lifestyle of the martial arts. To date, more than 70 black belts and
students from around the world have joined and pledged themselves to this experiment.
Participants join for a period of 13 months, in which time they set out to accomplish 26 tasks meant to
bring about a complete personal transformation. Each of the tasks is directly related to self-defense,
however, Team Coach Tom Callos' definition of the idea of self-defense and martial arts is what makes
the UBBT an extraordinary undertaking.
From an interview in What is Enlightenment? Magazine:
"To me, being a black belt is more than a physical experience. Yes, a
black belt should be able to execute precise, effective, beautiful, and
technically proficient martial arts techniques, whatever the style. But just
as importantly, a black belt should be able to execute precise and
beautiful ideas, equal to or better than their physical techniques. A black
belt should have an attitude equal in its brilliance to his or her physical
skills. What makes a master is not physical skill alone but mental clarity,
emotional maturity, and spiritual awareness." --Tom Callos
black belt should be able to execute precise, effective, beautiful, and
technically proficient martial arts techniques, whatever the style. But just
as importantly, a black belt should be able to execute precise and
beautiful ideas, equal to or better than their physical techniques. A black
belt should have an attitude equal in its brilliance to his or her physical
skills. What makes a master is not physical skill alone but mental clarity,
emotional maturity, and spiritual awareness." --Tom Callos
T
he Ultimate Black Belt Test asks its members to custom-design their idea of THE ULTIMATE
challenge, physically, mentally, and spiritually --using Tom Callos' UBBT Curriculum as a base. But
most importantly, the members of Team 5 turn to their students, their families, and their communities,
in fact, the entire martial arts community, and say, "This is my journey, my test. I pledge myself to
BEING a black belt --and a human being --in the most extraordinary way. I will set an example for all
of my students --and actually show what respect, focus, concentration, courage, teamwork, and
perseverance look like. I will walk the talk --and nothing, no obstacle, no calamity, no injury --will stop
me. Watch me --and I will show you what I know about the martial arts --and what a black belt test
should be about."
challenge, physically, mentally, and spiritually --using Tom Callos' UBBT Curriculum as a base. But
most importantly, the members of Team 5 turn to their students, their families, and their communities,
in fact, the entire martial arts community, and say, "This is my journey, my test. I pledge myself to
BEING a black belt --and a human being --in the most extraordinary way. I will set an example for all
of my students --and actually show what respect, focus, concentration, courage, teamwork, and
perseverance look like. I will walk the talk --and nothing, no obstacle, no calamity, no injury --will stop
me. Watch me --and I will show you what I know about the martial arts --and what a black belt test
should be about."
Ray Neill is a 4-time UBBT Team veteran. He resides in Reno, NV. This year
he is opening a martial arts school with a curriculum based on many of the
UBBT's concepts. He is testing for his 4th degree black belt test in 2008.
Ray has directed the UBBT's yearly house-building project in rural Alabama
(One of the UBBT's 3 yearly team events is building a home for a family in
need).
See this interview from American Public Media's SPEAKING OF FAITH.
he is opening a martial arts school with a curriculum based on many of the
UBBT's concepts. He is testing for his 4th degree black belt test in 2008.
Ray has directed the UBBT's yearly house-building project in rural Alabama
(One of the UBBT's 3 yearly team events is building a home for a family in
need).
See this interview from American Public Media's SPEAKING OF FAITH.
Meet Team 5:
(in no particular order)
(in no particular order)
Randy Edwards is a 7th Degree Black Belt (the UBBT only awards up to
6th dan, to qualified participants, so Randy, now on his 2nd UBBT, is
involved to set an example for his many students.
Randy is the first martial artist in the UBBT to use the program in his own
school. He resides in Fayettevlle, AK
6th dan, to qualified participants, so Randy, now on his 2nd UBBT, is
involved to set an example for his many students.
Randy is the first martial artist in the UBBT to use the program in his own
school. He resides in Fayettevlle, AK
Nancy Walzog, a 4-time UBBT veteran,
is an Academy Award winning
documentary filmmaker --and now a
happy owner of 2 martial arts schools in
New Jersey. See Nancy's film about the
UBBT here.
is an Academy Award winning
documentary filmmaker --and now a
happy owner of 2 martial arts schools in
New Jersey. See Nancy's film about the
UBBT here.
Kelley Weatherford co-owns one of the largest martial arts schools in the US, located in
Reno, Nevada. She is a 2nd degree black belt --and an accomplished purple belt in Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu.
See one of her black belt video diary entries here.
Reno, Nevada. She is a 2nd degree black belt --and an accomplished purple belt in Brazilian
Jiu Jitsu.
See one of her black belt video diary entries here.
Joe Van Deuren is on his 2nd UBBT,
owns a school in Annapolis, MD, and is
a pioneer in a UBBT project called
PROJECT-BASED LEADERSHIP
TRAINING. He is a 2nd degree black
belt.
owns a school in Annapolis, MD, and is
a pioneer in a UBBT project called
PROJECT-BASED LEADERSHIP
TRAINING. He is a 2nd degree black
belt.
Keith Turpin
resides in
Mocksville, NC. He
is a 6th Dan,
operates 3
schools. He began
studying the
martial arts in
1978.
resides in
Mocksville, NC. He
is a 6th Dan,
operates 3
schools. He began
studying the
martial arts in
1978.
Matt Brown is an 8th
degree black belt who
resides in Penacook, NH.
Matt holds a "near" world
record in board breaking
(for charity). He has
committed himself to being
in the best shape of his life
by test end.
degree black belt who
resides in Penacook, NH.
Matt holds a "near" world
record in board breaking
(for charity). He has
committed himself to being
in the best shape of his life
by test end.
Todd Bradley resides in
Colorado Springs, CO.
He's a 5th degree black
belt and oversees
Champions Mixed Martial
Arts. Todd has hundreds
of students who are closely
following his UBBT
commitment.
Colorado Springs, CO.
He's a 5th degree black
belt and oversees
Champions Mixed Martial
Arts. Todd has hundreds
of students who are closely
following his UBBT
commitment.
Carol Sue Rutledge is a
black in taekwondo and
resides in Littleton, CO.
Carol is a cancer survivor
and one tough athlete.
black in taekwondo and
resides in Littleton, CO.
Carol is a cancer survivor
and one tough athlete.
Chan Lee is a 5th degree black belt under his father (who is a
9th degree in taekwondo). Chan runs 5 schools with more than
1500 active students. He resides in Milwaukee, MN
Chan was recently featured on MTV's MADE, where he served
a as a teacher to a young man in need of a self-esteem and
image boost.
9th degree in taekwondo). Chan runs 5 schools with more than
1500 active students. He resides in Milwaukee, MN
Chan was recently featured on MTV's MADE, where he served
a as a teacher to a young man in need of a self-esteem and
image boost.
Danny Sikkens is a
black belt under Tom
Callos (started at age
4). He runs AIM HIGH
martial arts in Hillsboro,
OR and oversees more
than 500 students.
black belt under Tom
Callos (started at age
4). He runs AIM HIGH
martial arts in Hillsboro,
OR and oversees more
than 500 students.
Jason Brick resides in Hillsboro,
OR and has been studying the
martial arts for more than 15
years. He is a 4th degree black
belt.
OR and has been studying the
martial arts for more than 15
years. He is a 4th degree black
belt.
Lucinda More is a
staff member at Aim
High Martial Arts . She
is a 2nd degree black
belt.
staff member at Aim
High Martial Arts . She
is a 2nd degree black
belt.
Jeremy Smith is a
staff member at Aim
High Martial Arts . He is
a 4th degree black belt
and 20 year + student
of Tom Callos.
staff member at Aim
High Martial Arts . He is
a 4th degree black belt
and 20 year + student
of Tom Callos.
Kelley Muir is an accomplished
and well known martial artist who
owns and operates a school in
Columbus, OH. She is a longtime
friend -and former staff member
-of Tom Callos and a black belt
under Master Fariborz Azhakh.
She has 30 years of training under
her belt.
and well known martial artist who
owns and operates a school in
Columbus, OH. She is a longtime
friend -and former staff member
-of Tom Callos and a black belt
under Master Fariborz Azhakh.
She has 30 years of training under
her belt.
Craig Johnson is a
Greenbay, WI school owner
on his 2nd UBBT. His
school's motto is "Integrity is
how you act, even when no
one is watching."
Greenbay, WI school owner
on his 2nd UBBT. His
school's motto is "Integrity is
how you act, even when no
one is watching."
| See the weekly TEST Diary Entries for these team members HERE. Can they walk the talk? Can they follow through on their promises? What Kind of Black Belts are they? What are they learning? Follow their Journey! |
Meet The UBBT's STUDENT MEMBERS
These members come into the program as support team for primary members...OR, they asked to be
included into the UBBT Project to challenge themselves. Some of the student members are black belts
--and, like Debby Young, they begin the martial arts AFTER being inspired by the program. You GO!
These members come into the program as support team for primary members...OR, they asked to be
included into the UBBT Project to challenge themselves. Some of the student members are black belts
--and, like Debby Young, they begin the martial arts AFTER being inspired by the program. You GO!
Chris Lee is a school owner, along
with her brother, Chan Lee, and is a
3rd degree black belt under her father.
with her brother, Chan Lee, and is a
3rd degree black belt under her father.
Chris Thorp, Santa
Rosa, California. A
brown belt in TKD.
Rosa, California. A
brown belt in TKD.
Stella Fitzgerald,
Springfield, MO
Springfield, MO
David Biggers, Willard, MO
Renee Gunn, Ozark, MO
Terry Grewen,
Red Bank, New Jersey
Red Bank, New Jersey
Axel
Hernandez,
Hernandez,
Susan Stafford Smith,
Red Bank, NJ
Red Bank, NJ
Nick Sacoulas of
Fresh Meadows, NY
runs Progressive
Martial Arts and is a
20 year veteran of the
martial arts.
Fresh Meadows, NY
runs Progressive
Martial Arts and is a
20 year veteran of the
martial arts.
Kelly Abella is longtime
veteran martial artist and
teacher. He resides in
Carson City, NV and is an
executive with Heavenly
Valley Ski Resorts.
Kelly has, during his UBBT
journey (this is his 2nd test)
organized a number of
humanitarian and
environmental projects,
including a trip to Thailand
to help children orphaned
by the tsunami.
veteran martial artist and
teacher. He resides in
Carson City, NV and is an
executive with Heavenly
Valley Ski Resorts.
Kelly has, during his UBBT
journey (this is his 2nd test)
organized a number of
humanitarian and
environmental projects,
including a trip to Thailand
to help children orphaned
by the tsunami.
Hal Gustin is the senior member of
the UBBT Team 5, having started the
martial arts in 1958. Hal is an engineer
by trade, an MIT Graduate and
assistant team coach to the UBBT
program.
the UBBT Team 5, having started the
martial arts in 1958. Hal is an engineer
by trade, an MIT Graduate and
assistant team coach to the UBBT
program.
Debby Young, of Santa
Rosa, CA --the first
NON-MARTIAL ARTIST to
ever join the UBBT Program
(now a gold belt).
Rosa, CA --the first
NON-MARTIAL ARTIST to
ever join the UBBT Program
(now a gold belt).
Jason Gould is a 3rd
degree black belt
living in Boston, MA.
He is a pioneer
activist in Project
Based Leadership
Training.
degree black belt
living in Boston, MA.
He is a pioneer
activist in Project
Based Leadership
Training.
Andy Mandell,
AKA Mr.
Diabetes is the
world's
preeminent
Diabetes
Activist. He's
currently on the
last 600 miles
of a 10,000
mile walk
around the
United States
for diabetes
education.
AKA Mr.
Diabetes is the
world's
preeminent
Diabetes
Activist. He's
currently on the
last 600 miles
of a 10,000
mile walk
around the
United States
for diabetes
education.