The UBBT lasts approximately 395 days / 13 months.
Physical Requirements
100,000 Push Ups and Crunches
50,000 each: 125 push-ups and 125 abdominal exercises a day – or if injured, an equivalent exercise.
1000 Repetitions of a Single Form
2.5 reps a day for 395 days.
1000 Rounds of Sparring
2.5 rounds of any form of sparring a day for 395 days.
1000 Mile Walk/Run/Swim and/or Bike
2.5 miles a day for a year.
100 Hours of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mat Time – or Equivalent
Each participant in the UBBT must complete 100 hours of Jiu-Jitsu mat time
(approximately 2 hours per week). Ideally, each candidate would earn a blue belt or equivalent in Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu or equivalent. The UBBT Grappling Coaches are David Meyer of Los Angeles, CA, BJ Penn of Hilo, Hawaii,
and Cassio Werneck of Sacramento, CA, but candidates may use anyone (and there are a 1000 great instructors
around the world) for instruction and ranking.
20 Hours with a Pro Boxing or Kick-Boxing Coach
1 Reality-Based Self-Defense Course
Each candidate must have training (no minimum time requirements) in a reality-based self-defense training
program. Self-defense advisor to the UBBT is Bill Kipp. Tom Patire, Bill Kipp, Peyton Quinn, Geoff Thompson, and
Tony Blauer all run programs acceptable for this requirement.
10 Public Testing Performances
Participants perform their final physical test performance (demo) in front of ten separate audiences, prior to the
final UBBT event.
Complete the Full Body-For-Life Program (or equivalent)
15 Minutes of Daily Meditation
Written and/or Filmmaking Requirements
Custom Written Test Requirements
Weekly On-Line UBBT Journal Entries
Every UBBT participant is required to make a weekly journal entry on the UBBT web site. A journal entry should
be approximately 100 words long and chronicle the personal journey of each participant as he or she lives with
the UBBT experience. Journal entries will be open to the public and may be used in articles or book projects.
The Making and Posting of One Film
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Achieving and Documenting 10 Personal Victories
Team Requirements
Attend 2 Team Events
Each team member of the UBBT is required to attend two of our four team events. Events are opportunities to
meet and trade ideas with fellow teammates –and they are intensive on-the-go workshops in martial arts business
and curriculum development. Our yearly events include a 4-day Eco-Adventure along the Pacific Crest Trail in
California; a 4 day house building project in Rural Alabama; and 2 “Master’s Weekends” where we train with
various teachers and engage in community events. See other event descriptions here.
Team Info List and 25 Contacts
As a member of the UBBT, each participant is required to have a phone/e-mail list of all other team members –
and make a minimum of 25 (team total) contacts with fellow teammates over the course of the test.
Two Anonymous Acts of Kindness to Minimum of Two Teammates
Each teammate is required to do something kind –and anonymous –for two fellow teammates over the duration of
the test. Each event is reported to the team coach.
Additional Requirements
1000 Acts of Kindness
2.5 acts of kindness a day equals 1000 acts in 12 months. All participants are required to perform and log 1000
acts of kindness. See www.911aok.com and www.onemillionaok.com.
10,000 Acts of Kindness through Students and Community
A UBBT participant must practice leadership skills in such a way as to inspire students and members of his or her
community to engage in the acts of kindness program. 10,000 acts of kindness in 13 months require
approximately 25 acts of kindness a day for 13 months.
Right One Wrong
Each member of the program must “make right” one wrong they have done in their life. The event to “right” is
completely up to the tester. Testing for a black belt should be an experience that requires the participant to heal
and mend issues and/or events from the past that, under different circumstances, he or she would have done
differently.
Mend One Relationship Gone Bad
Every UBBT tester must mend one relationship during the
test that has been damaged by one or both of the parties
involved.
Profile 10 Living Heroes
Each UBBT participant must search out and profile (in-person interviews are not required) 10 living heroes. The
10 heroes may not include family members, war heroes, or more than one student.
Example 1
Example 2
Environmental Clean Up Project
Example Video
Memorize One Lengthy (100 words or more) Quote, Poem, or Piece that is
Meaningful to You
The quote “Mastery” is an example of a suitable piece –and participants may choose that one –or one that
speaks to them. “Mastery” can be found in the UBBT’s member’s only website.
Seek Out a Master
Each candidate will be required to seek out one master (of any discipline in or out of the martial arts), conduct
and interview and, if possible, study with him or her.
Empathy Training
1 Day Blind, 1 Day Mute, and One Day in a Wheelchair
Reading Requirements
Physical Requirements
100,000 Push Ups and Crunches
50,000 each: 125 push-ups and 125 abdominal exercises a day – or if injured, an equivalent exercise.
1000 Repetitions of a Single Form
2.5 reps a day for 395 days.
1000 Rounds of Sparring
2.5 rounds of any form of sparring a day for 395 days.
1000 Mile Walk/Run/Swim and/or Bike
2.5 miles a day for a year.
100 Hours of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Mat Time – or Equivalent
Each participant in the UBBT must complete 100 hours of Jiu-Jitsu mat time
(approximately 2 hours per week). Ideally, each candidate would earn a blue belt or equivalent in Brazilian Jiu
Jitsu or equivalent. The UBBT Grappling Coaches are David Meyer of Los Angeles, CA, BJ Penn of Hilo, Hawaii,
and Cassio Werneck of Sacramento, CA, but candidates may use anyone (and there are a 1000 great instructors
around the world) for instruction and ranking.
20 Hours with a Pro Boxing or Kick-Boxing Coach
1 Reality-Based Self-Defense Course
Each candidate must have training (no minimum time requirements) in a reality-based self-defense training
program. Self-defense advisor to the UBBT is Bill Kipp. Tom Patire, Bill Kipp, Peyton Quinn, Geoff Thompson, and
Tony Blauer all run programs acceptable for this requirement.
10 Public Testing Performances
Participants perform their final physical test performance (demo) in front of ten separate audiences, prior to the
final UBBT event.
Complete the Full Body-For-Life Program (or equivalent)
15 Minutes of Daily Meditation
Written and/or Filmmaking Requirements
Custom Written Test Requirements
Weekly On-Line UBBT Journal Entries
Every UBBT participant is required to make a weekly journal entry on the UBBT web site. A journal entry should
be approximately 100 words long and chronicle the personal journey of each participant as he or she lives with
the UBBT experience. Journal entries will be open to the public and may be used in articles or book projects.
The Making and Posting of One Film
Example 1
Example 2
Example 3
Achieving and Documenting 10 Personal Victories
Team Requirements
Attend 2 Team Events
Each team member of the UBBT is required to attend two of our four team events. Events are opportunities to
meet and trade ideas with fellow teammates –and they are intensive on-the-go workshops in martial arts business
and curriculum development. Our yearly events include a 4-day Eco-Adventure along the Pacific Crest Trail in
California; a 4 day house building project in Rural Alabama; and 2 “Master’s Weekends” where we train with
various teachers and engage in community events. See other event descriptions here.
Team Info List and 25 Contacts
As a member of the UBBT, each participant is required to have a phone/e-mail list of all other team members –
and make a minimum of 25 (team total) contacts with fellow teammates over the course of the test.
Two Anonymous Acts of Kindness to Minimum of Two Teammates
Each teammate is required to do something kind –and anonymous –for two fellow teammates over the duration of
the test. Each event is reported to the team coach.
Additional Requirements
1000 Acts of Kindness
2.5 acts of kindness a day equals 1000 acts in 12 months. All participants are required to perform and log 1000
acts of kindness. See www.911aok.com and www.onemillionaok.com.
10,000 Acts of Kindness through Students and Community
A UBBT participant must practice leadership skills in such a way as to inspire students and members of his or her
community to engage in the acts of kindness program. 10,000 acts of kindness in 13 months require
approximately 25 acts of kindness a day for 13 months.
Right One Wrong
Each member of the program must “make right” one wrong they have done in their life. The event to “right” is
completely up to the tester. Testing for a black belt should be an experience that requires the participant to heal
and mend issues and/or events from the past that, under different circumstances, he or she would have done
differently.
Mend One Relationship Gone Bad
Every UBBT tester must mend one relationship during the
test that has been damaged by one or both of the parties
involved.
Profile 10 Living Heroes
Each UBBT participant must search out and profile (in-person interviews are not required) 10 living heroes. The
10 heroes may not include family members, war heroes, or more than one student.
Example 1
Example 2
Environmental Clean Up Project
Example Video
Memorize One Lengthy (100 words or more) Quote, Poem, or Piece that is
Meaningful to You
The quote “Mastery” is an example of a suitable piece –and participants may choose that one –or one that
speaks to them. “Mastery” can be found in the UBBT’s member’s only website.
Seek Out a Master
Each candidate will be required to seek out one master (of any discipline in or out of the martial arts), conduct
and interview and, if possible, study with him or her.
Empathy Training
1 Day Blind, 1 Day Mute, and One Day in a Wheelchair
Reading Requirements
and 4 other titles of your choice
Optional Requirements
The Video Diary Challenge
Along with the UBBT’s written journaling requirement, participants accepting this challenge produce a video diary
once a month (minimum) for 12 months.
The Vegetarian Challenge
Go vegetarian (no meat or no dairy/animal products at all) for 12 months.
The Anger Management Education Course
It takes less than 20 hours of study to be registered as a Anger Management Educator. Go to www.
angercoachonline.com to enroll in this ingenious and valuable on-line training course.
The “Buy Nothing New” Challenge
This optional challenge follows suit with San Francisco’s THE COMPACT (http://sfcompact.blogspot.com) which
practices the idea of not buying anything new for 12 months (except for food, underwear, medical supplies, etc.).
The 24 Pictures Challenge
Record your physical transformation. Take a picture of yourself, shirt-off, twice a month for one year –to show the
changes your physique goes through. After the 12th month, you assemble the shots into a movie/slide-show. See
this video as an example of a photo time-lapse montage.
The Community Project Challenge
Undertake 5 to 10 community-based “projects” which benefit your community. Each project must involve more
than 10 other people –and all projects must be recorded in writing, with pictures, and at least one film.
The White Belt Challenge
Start a new style of martial arts, as a white belt.
Optional Requirements
The Video Diary Challenge
Along with the UBBT’s written journaling requirement, participants accepting this challenge produce a video diary
once a month (minimum) for 12 months.
The Vegetarian Challenge
Go vegetarian (no meat or no dairy/animal products at all) for 12 months.
The Anger Management Education Course
It takes less than 20 hours of study to be registered as a Anger Management Educator. Go to www.
angercoachonline.com to enroll in this ingenious and valuable on-line training course.
The “Buy Nothing New” Challenge
This optional challenge follows suit with San Francisco’s THE COMPACT (http://sfcompact.blogspot.com) which
practices the idea of not buying anything new for 12 months (except for food, underwear, medical supplies, etc.).
The 24 Pictures Challenge
Record your physical transformation. Take a picture of yourself, shirt-off, twice a month for one year –to show the
changes your physique goes through. After the 12th month, you assemble the shots into a movie/slide-show. See
this video as an example of a photo time-lapse montage.
The Community Project Challenge
Undertake 5 to 10 community-based “projects” which benefit your community. Each project must involve more
than 10 other people –and all projects must be recorded in writing, with pictures, and at least one film.
The White Belt Challenge
Start a new style of martial arts, as a white belt.
The Ultimate Black Belt Test’s Curriculum 2008
