Why Lessons Live On Through Story: A Grandmaster’s Perspective
I’m a sophomore at the University of Hawaii attending normal classes by day and the American College of Sports Medicine certification classes by night. In one of the night classes, I meet this guy named Dave.
He tells me he owns a dojo in town and invites me to try a workout.
I explain that hey, I’m a Softball Pitcher and have been since I was a little girl. I have no interest in those Martial Arts. Plus, I’ve earned a full-ride scholarship based on my softball prowess, so softball’s my thing.
Yet, every time I see him, Dave keeps inviting me and continues to insist I take a class at his dojo. He’s relentless. Week after week, month after month - the invites turn to challenges and the challenges turn to dares.
One night I have had enough and I make him a deal: I will take his class just once. In return, he will not bug me about it ever again.
I took his class in 1991 and Martial Arts has been a mainstay in my life ever since.
30 years later, I am returning the favor and I’ve invited… er… challenged/dared Dave Wheaton, now aka the Grandmaster, to come on the Storytelling School Podcast, and here he is!
In our episode, we explore storytelling through the perspective of teaching and training. He and I talk about best practices for approaching your chosen profession, developing storytelling skills even when it doesn’t come naturally, and life lessons you can learn from Martial Arts. Plus we look at humor in stories and how important stories are to our legacy.
What you will learn in this episode:
- Why it’s essential to study the greats in your field
- How to gain mastery at whatever you do
- How martial arts apply to life and storytelling
Who is Dave?
Dave Wheaton is an instructor, mentor, coach, and Martial Arts Grandmaster who’s taught and trained thousands of students nationwide for over 50 years. His credentials include a 9th Dan Black Belt in Hapkido, an 8th Dan in Taekwondo, and a Golden Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Karate Union Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
Dave is the founder and president of Hapkido International. He developed a self-defense system based on Hapkido that combines several Martial Arts techniques with an emphasis on flowing seamlessly between movements. With it, the student can respond intuitively with the necessary amount of force, regardless of size or age.
Now, Grandmaster Dave teaches private hapkido and kickboxing lessons both in person and via Zoom for students all over the world. His other interests include garage winemaking, Paleo cooking, and serving as an FAA Certified Gold Seal Flight instructor. For more in-depth information on his story and martial arts lineage, visit https://santabarbaradojo.com/grandmaster.
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