In April, 2013, I’m testing for my 2nd degree Black Belt in Greensboro Alabama.

Here’s what my test is starting to look like from August 2011 – April 2013.

My Goals:

• 20 Months of Extraordinary Achievements.
• To inspire others in our community to achieve great things along side me.
• To serve as a shining example of what a Black Belt is to all students/members of Studio 13 as well as everyone internationally that is watching the UBBT.

1. Daily Martial Arts Training

Tae Kwon Do

• I have 2 forms (poomse) to learn for 2nd Dan – I’ll likely be teaching myself the ones for 3rd Dan as well
• Continue to develop flexibility and speed
• Record 1000 Sparring Rounds (mix of marital arts)
• Develop my jump ability/gymnastics abilities

Boxing

• Work with a boxing coach and develop my hands
• 20 hours with a pro boxing coach
• show 2 pad work drills (#10 and #11)

Reality Based Self Defense

• Reality Based Self-Defense Training Program
• FAST Defense Certification

2. UBBT Requirements

“The journey of a 1000 miles begins with a single step” –Lao Tzu

50,000 Push-Ups
50,000 Crunches
1000 Rounds of Sparring
1000 Repetition of a Kata
1000 Acts of Kindness
1000 Mile Walk, Run, Swim, and/or Bike.

I’ll do the following, every day, to accomplish this:

• 137 push-ups
• 137 crunches
• Approximately four 3-minute rounds of sparring/working with the heavy bag (any style) 5-days a week
• 3 repetitions of a form (empty hand, weapons, or grappling routine)
• 3 recorded conscious and purposeful acts of kindness
• Walk, run, swim, or bike at least 3-miles

3. Do something NEW every 30 days

I’m stealing this one from Sensei Engels I like the idea of trying something new each month all year long.

1. January - A Video A Day (31 Videos in 31 Days)
2. February – Buy ‘Nothing New’ for 30 days
3. March – 10,000 Pushups in 30 days
4. April – No Disposable Plastics (bottles, bags, utensils, etc…)
5. May - Morning Run – 5k each morning
6. June - No Sugar for 30 days
7. July – A Blog a Day
   
8. August – 30 new pieces of art work
9. September – Study a new language for 30 minutes a day
10. October - 30 Community Projects in 30 Days
11. November - Write a Book in 30 days. (50,000 words – ok, this one isn’t new, but it’ll be a new book!)
12. December – Declutter for 30 minutes a day
13. January – 10 Miles a day for 30 days
14. February – No restaurants for the month
15. March – We’ll figure something out!

4. 10 Personal Victories

1. Publish “Reduce Me’ in ebook format – Jan
2. Build OutDoor Dojo on our land
3. Run a 5K not run-walk it, but run it
4. Promote Current Books to increase non-fiction reach
   
5. Create Elder Videos – capturing family history, recording it so our children can see our history. I have a ton of photos to scan in from the family album as well still.
6. Be able to Do Five Pullups with good form
7. Publish Phyxe: Goddess of Fire – first FICTION book!
8. Learning to Row, on the Water
9. Settle into a regular Sleep Schedule
10. ….hmm, thinking about this one…

5. 10 Living Heroes

6. Journaling

I’ll be journaling at these 2 locations about my successes, failures, ideas, projects, training, nutrition…and life in general. Join me and comments are appreciated.

• www.tomcallos.ning.com
• www.studio13bymbsworks.com

7. Mend 3 Wrongs and Fix 3 Relationships-Gone-Bad

Maturity; compassion; forgiveness; there is no other way.

8. Dietary Self Defense

I’ll be working even harder on my nutrition and getting our household eating healthier. There is always room for improvement.

9. 1 Environmental Clean Up Project

Each team member must plan, execute, and record at least one environmental clean-up project during the course of the program.

10. 15 Minutes of Daily Meditation

Members must seek out a master of meditation, either in person or thru video or audio, and learn how to meditate properly – then, each participant must meditate 15 minutes a day for one year.

Many martial artists include some form of meditation at the beginning or end of their classes, but very few have ever been taught how to meditate properly.

11. Reading requirements: 12 books

12. Interview a Master outside of the martial arts

13. Make My Test PUBLIC

I agree with my fellow UBBT Team mates, I want to make my test mean something to other people. I want others to watch and become inspired. I want to accomplish BIG things so as to bring somebody else to accomplish something big along side me. I want to lead by example so as to inspire others to greatness.

To learn more about our team of martial artists participating in the Test, visit us here: www.facebook.com/theUBBT

This blog is part of the Ultimate Black Belt Test Program (www.UltimateBlackBeltTest.com), which is an undertaking of The 100. (www.The100.us), and find more about Stacia’s projects at (flavors.me/staciakelly).