REMEMBERING JOE LEWIS

Miss You Joe

 

Like many people around the world, on the 31st of August I remembered the sad passing three years ago of my friend and teacher, the late and great Joe Lewis.

I first got to meet and train with Joe back in the year 2000 … what a FANTASTIC way to begin this New Millennium!! After reading about him for so many years it was awe-inspiring to finally meet Joe. To then eventually go on to become one of his Black Belts and a member of the wonderful Joe Lewis Fighting Systems Family is a tremendous honor and privilege, something I will always treasure.

Gone but never forgotten may be somewhat of an overused expression, but certainly in Joe’s case these words will always ring true. Thank You Grand Master Joe, may you forever Rest In Peace.

 

George Fitzgerald & Joe Lewis - June 2000

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THE LEGENDARY JOE LEWIS

 

My Friend & Teacher … the Legendary Joe Lewis

 

Please watch this wonderful video dedicated to my late friend and teacher, the Legendary Joe Lewis. It was created by Joe Corley at a time when Joe Lewis was facing his greatest battle. Joe, you will NEVER be forgotten and you have the eternal gratitude of countless people all around the world. I Thank You with all my heart for what you did for me personally. Rest In Peace my friend.

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=4008360081166&pnref=story

 

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WHAT’S HOLDING YOU BACK?

The ‘Crabs’ of Life

 

If ever you walk past a seafood restaurant , perhaps on a seaside pier, you may see a big barrel, without a lid, that is full of live crabs. On seeing this you could be forgiven in thinking that the crabs could easily jump out and fall back into the sea.

But you would be wrong. If you spent some time observing them, you’d be surprised  to notice that, every time one of the crabs tried to get to the edge of the barrel to escape, all the other ones would pull him back in.

Can you recognize theseCrab type of people around you?  Think of all the times your so-called friends would talk you out of something that you wanted to do, something you knew was important to you.

Who are the crabs in your life? Who and what is holding you back from doing what you want? When you decide to work-out, go on a diet, or do something worthwhile, who and what stops you?

 

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A TOUCH OF ZEN … ‘JUST TWO WORDS’

Focus On the Positive

 

There once was a monastery that was very strict. Following a vow of silence, no one was allowed to speak at all, except for just two words every ten years.

After spending his first ten years at the monastery, one monk went to the head monk and said, “Bed … hard!”

After another ten years had passed this same monk went to the head monk and this time said, “Food … stinks!”

Yet another ten years passed and the monk once again met with the head monk, this time saying, “I … quit!”

“Well, I can see why,” replied the head monk. “All you ever do is complain!!”

SIFU George Says…

“ I believe that we have the choice to either focus on the positive aspects of our lives or dwell on the negatives. The monk in this story chose the negatives and therefore was not accomplishing much – he was basically wasting his time. Although he spoke only six words in thirty years, he did nothing but complain the whole time – in his head. That’s why he had nothing better to say when he had the chance.”

 

 

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WARRIOR HAIRSTYLIST

 The Ninja Hairstylist

 

Here I am with my good friend and student, Stuart Phillips. This was December 2013 when Stuart was about to do a blindfolded haircut on former footballer, Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock. We joked that I was there in the event of anything going wrong, but of course there was no chance of that happening. Stuart is a true master of his craft and a genuine celebrity hairdresser.

He has had some amazing clients, is the official hairdressing writer for on-line OK Magazine and is the recipient of multiple awards. This year alone he won two awards at the English Hair & Beauty Awards‘Best London Salon of the Year‘ and ‘Best UK Salon of the Year’ … he received the award for ‘Best Salon in London’ at the London Lifestyle Awards 2014 … and most recently he was declared the ‘Best Male Hairstylist in the UK’ at the International Achievers Award 2014!!

A true Warrior Spirit can help anyone achieve all of their goals in life and Stuart is a Warrior!!!

 

George Fitzgerald & his student Stuart Phillips, Celebrity Hairdresser.

George Fitzgerald & his student Stuart Phillips, Celebrity Hairdresser.

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REMEMBERING JOE LEWIS

Remembering Another Friend

 

Sunday 31st August 2014 marked the second anniversary of the sad passing of Martial Arts immortal, Joe Lewis. The first heavyweight World Kickboxing Champion, twice elected the Greatest Karate Fighter of All Time … and NUMEROUS other accolades, his genius is truly missed.

I am proud and fortunate that I am among those lucky enough to be one of his Black Belts, his student … and most importantly, a friend. Rest In Peace Joe.

Joe Lewis & George Fitzgerald

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REMEMBERING SIFU LARRY HARTSELL

Rest In Peace My Friend

 

It is incredible to believe that today, the 2oth August 2014, marks seven years since the sad passing of my friend and teacher, Sifu Larry Hartsell.

Sifu Larry was widely regarded as the premier fighter of those fortunate to be classed as original students of Bruce Lee. It is well known to the students of Bruce Lee’s Jeet Kune Do that Bruce Lee broke combat down into the four ranges of Kicking, Boxing, Trapping and Grappling. The serious students of Jeet Kune Do are also aware that the development of the grappling range techniques in this system were assigned to Larry Hartsell. 

Larry Hartsell authored several books on the subject of Jeet Kune Do Grappling. “Entering to Trapping To Grappling and takedowns, Counters, and Reversals.” In addition he nine internationally distributed videotapes on the grappling arts. These books, videos and his skill in the grappling arts have resulted in Larry Hartsell being listed in the “Who’s Who in Martial Arts” and cover shots with numerous feature articles in Inside Kung Fu, Black Belt, Martial Arts Training, Inside Karate, Australasian Fighting Arts, and many others.

Larry Hartsell’s skill in hand-to-hand combat, his weapons training and his development of techniques in the grappling range led to a wide and varied range of professional experiences. With his training under Bruce Lee, his degree in criminology, his ten years of law enforcement experience, and his training under Dan Inosanto, Larry Hartsell was in wide demand as a professional bodyguard for celebrities like Mr. T of the A-Team fame, and as a trainer for both the Dallas Cowboys and the San Francisco 49ers.

Sifu Larry conducted two outstanding seminars in 2004 at my former school, the Tang Lung Combat Academy, and I felt immensely proud and privileged to be his seminar assistant in Los Angeles 2005 at Black Belt magazine’s first Festival of Martial Arts.

Sifu Larry Hartsell & Sifu George Fitzgerald

Sifu Larry Hartsell & Sifu George Fitzgerald

Not only was he a legendary Martial Artist, but also a genuinely warm-hearted person who is missed by countless people all over the world. Sifu Larry, God Bless You.

[youtube]http://youtu.be/1AKcTQvpWgs[/youtube]

 

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BRUCE LEE’S TRAINING DUMMY

Sifu George Works With Bruce Lee’s Original Training Dummy

 

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Sifu George Fitzgerald & Bruce Lee’s Training Dummy

 

At Sifu Richard Bustillo’s IMB Academy in Los Angeles working out on a training dummy that belonged to the legendary Bruce Lee!!

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BRUCE LEE’S GRIP TRAINER

Sifu George Works With Bruce Lee’s Original Grip/Forearm Trainer

 

How cool is this?

Sifu George Fitzgerald & Bruce Lee's Grip Trainer

Sifu George Fitzgerald & Bruce Lee’s Grip Trainer

At my teacher’s, Richard Bustillo, IMB Academy in Los Angeles working out with the grip/forearm trainer that actually belonged to the legendary Bruce Lee!!

 

 

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LUXURIOUS MAGAZINE

 

Sifu George Fitzgerald was recently featured in Luxurious Magazine

 

Sifu George was recently featured in Luxurious Magazine – the online and digital luxury magazine. As possibly the most visible luxury magazine in the world online, Luxurious Magazine uses it’s unique journalistic style to provide news, features, reviews and exclusive interviews. It provides impartial information to consumers and fans worldwide of luxury goods. The magazine features personalities and marques who are well-known or considered outstanding in the sphere of luxury.

My sincere thanks to Paul Godbold and the Team at Luxurious Magazine.

 

Sifu George Fitzgerald in Luxurious Magazine

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