This morning, I spent a few hours doing something I honestly haven’t done deeply enough in a long time… I sat down and really unpacked what Living Strong Projects truly is becoming. Not just the postcard. Not just the articles. Not just the videos. Not just the Facebook page. But the deeper WHY behind all of it. And I’ll be honest with you… As I get ready to turn 65 years old this Saturday, May 9th, I’ve been standing in a strange place emotionally these past several years. On one side: A karate school and community I’ve been connected to since 1999. A place that helped shape me, teach me, and give me purpose for decades. On the other side: This growing vision called Living Strong Projects LLC. For a while, I think I was seeing them as two separate things. But this morning, something clicked. I realized that Living Strong Projects isn’t separate from my life… It’s the FRAME through which I now see my life, my work, my relationships, my creativity, and my future. Living Strong Projects is about human beings. Human beings with stories. Human beings with struggles. Human beings trying to build something meaningful. Human beings trying to stay hopeful. Human beings trying to stay useful. Human beings trying to grow. That includes local business owners. And lately, something has been firing me up deeply: Sitting down with local business owners and hearing their stories. Not just what they sell. Not just what they do. But WHY they do it. The struggles. The pressure. The risks. The family sacrifices. The perseverance. The hope. Yesterday I spoke with the owner of a local family-run business that has been serving our community for 60 years. He shared how a massive corporation moved in right next door to them, and how difficult that season was for them emotionally and financially. But he also shared how the community rallied around them. And listening to him, something hit me deeply… This is what Living Strong Projects is really about. Helping local communities reconnect with the HUMAN BEINGS behind the businesses, organizations, and stories that shape our everyday lives.

One of the things we encourage in our higher-level Black Belt leadership students — especially those pursuing their Master and Master Instructor journey — is the understanding that big goals are rarely conquered in one dramatic moment. They are built. Piece by piece. Day by day. Rep by rep. Step by step. That’s the part many people don’t see. People admire the Black Belt. They admire the title. They admire the accomplishment. But what they often don’t see are the thousands of small actions repeated consistently over time. That’s where transformation really happens. Recently, I sat down and broke apart several large physical goals I want to accomplish over the next 12 months: - 10,000 push-ups - 10,000 squats - 10,000 sit-ups - 2,500 pull-ups - 730 miles walked At first glance, those numbers can feel overwhelming. But then something powerful happens when you break them down. Suddenly… 10,000 push-ups becomes 30 push-ups a day. 730 miles becomes a 2-mile daily walk. 2,500 pull-ups becomes 7 pull-ups a day. Now the mountain becomes climbable. This is one of the key principles behind the Living Strong methodology: Learn. Practice. Create. First, we LEARN what is required. Then we PRACTICE consistently — even when motivation fluctuates. And somewhere along the way… if we stay engaged long enough… we begin to CREATE. We create: - discipline - confidence - resilience - momentum - identity - capability - belief The daily practice begins shaping the future version of ourselves. That’s the deeper lesson. Not perfection. Not intensity every single day. But consistency. Consistency teaches us things motivation never can. As many of you know, I’m now 65 years old with two hip replacements. There was a season in my life where simply walking without pain became a challenge. And yet here I am now, setting new goals, evolving again, learning again, practicing again. Not trying to “go backward.” Not trying to relive youth. But striving to become the next version of myself.

Last night, I sat in the audience at Bristol Riverside Theatre for opening night of Jelly’s Last Jam… And I’ll tell you straight— I didn’t just watch a show. I stepped into a living, breathing experience. 🎺 The Living Strong Lens When I go into a theater, I’m not sitting there with a clipboard. I’m asking something deeper: Did they take me somewhere? Did they pull me out of my world… and bring me into theirs? And last night? Yes… they did. Opening night carries its own energy. There are nerves, there are moments still settling, and there’s discovery happening in real time. But by Act Two… They weren’t searching anymore. They were becoming. 🔥 Performances That Carried the Story The man embodying Jelly Roll Morton—Stanley Martin—brought a voice and presence that grounded the entire show. Forrest McClendon as Chimney Man… That voice didn’t just sit in the room—it moved through it. And Renee Reed as Anita… That Act Two duet? That’s where everything locked in emotionally. And I’ve got to say this as well… The Honeys. Three women who helped carry the storytelling alongside Chimney Man—and my wife, @Renee Chambers-Liciaga , as Honey Number Two. They moved beautifully through the show, guiding the story, supporting the rhythm, and yes… They looked fantastic. Confident. Expressive. And very sexy in the way the story calls for. Because this is real life being told. And Jelly Roll Morton’s world? It wasn’t polished. It wasn’t filtered. It was bold. It was human. And the show doesn’t shy away from that. And there was one scene that really stood out to me… An edgy moment—beautifully directed and staged—where Jelly Roll Morton and Anita begin their love affair. The way they used the bed… the music… the timing… the physical storytelling of that intimacy— It was done with taste, control, and intention. I remember when the scene began, thinking to myself, “Oh… they’re going there…”

What a journey and blessing it was to be back on the stage... after a 12 year hiatus. These past few months have been electric!! Learing a full show , the blocking, music, harmonies, choreography and the rich musical history of Jelly Roll Morton with quadruple threat talent with giving hearts was AMAZING. So thankful to have been a part of this incredible production! This Glam-mom is still unpacking ..... my heart is full.

Family… I wanted to share this one with you directly. I’m 64—turning 65 in just 10 days—and these past couple of weeks, I’ve been out in the community working closely with local small businesses… listening, learning, and building something meaningful. That’s why I’ve been a little quieter on here. But here’s what’s been strong in my mind and heart… You don’t age out of the Game of Life. You just learn how to play it at a different level. Right now, in this season, I’m leaning into service… taking everything I’ve lived, learned, and experienced—and putting it back into the community in a real, practical way. This is Living Strong. Learn. Practice. Create. Then learn from what you create… and go again. I’d love for you to watch this one and reflect: Where are you in the game right now? And what’s your next move? Let’s keep building… together. Living Strong 💪