Ken Haddix

CC: What styles or arts do you teach?

KH: I teach karate, judo, jiu-jitsu and basic boxing and muay Thai

CC:How long have you been teaching and training?

KH: I've been training and teaching for over 20 years.

CC: When did you open your school?

KH: About 3 years ago.

CC: What is the name of your school?

KH: West O Dojo.

CC: What core principles or values do you emphasize in your training sessions?

KH: Train hard, respect your classmates, and have fun.

CC: How do you balance traditional techniques with modern training methods?

KH: I've gotten away from kata a bit. I'll still use a little Japanese and bowing

CC: In your opinion, what are the key differences between martial arts practiced for sport versus self-defense?

KH: Eye gouges, groin shots. Throat strikes.

CC: What common misconceptions do people have about martial arts, and how do you address them?

KH: I feel it's important to train defense as much as offense

CC: How do you see martial arts evolving in the future?

KH: More combinations of styles like MMA.

CC: Do you encourage your students to compete? If so, how do you prepare them for the experience?

KH: I don't make it a priority. I try to randori more. More intense work outs

CC: How does competition shape your approach to martial arts, compared to regular training?

KH: Strength and conditioning and having like minded training partners helps alot. Your only as good as your training partners.

CC: What were your biggest challenges in transitioning from training to competing?
KH: Trying to make the technique appropriate to the possible situation.