Brad's Fitness Vault

11/02/2026

Keep Training 😎👊👊

11/02/2026

04/02/2026

Come train Muay Thai with us at Gracie Barra Celebration FL! 😎👊👊🥊🥊

07/11/2025

Do you fear your demons or do they fear you?

21/08/2025

The end of one journey, the beginning of a new…

Never in my life did I think I would go on a cross country adventure driven by martial arts.

It started with the loss of my best friend Marla the cat. Quite honestly, she changed my life in a way I never expected an animal could. So, when I lost her, I don’t think I knew how to process it.

One day on a reflective walk, my wife and I were entertaining the idea of traveling. Then, out of the darkness, an owl swooped down and landed right next to us and stared at us for 5 minutes or more. Who knows why he was there, but we took it as a sign to move forward with the traveling plans.

Now, something i’ve been debating on sharing is what happened before we left. I was discussing my plans with one of my teachers at the time, excited to share this exciting martial arts journey I was about to go on. The reaction I received was a bit of a shock. This person spent time telling me how what I was doing didn’t make sense and, when I stated I would return, basically shut the door in my face. Mind you, I had every intent of returning to this school.

OH WELL….off to bigger and better things.

As we moved about the various states of this beautiful country, I visited multiple martial arts schools. The goal was to meet up and train with Master JianFeng Chen in Bend, Oregon. He was magnificent and met and surpassed expectations! Add Wushu to my list of martial arts I’ve learned!

WHAT DID I LEARN ON THIS JOURNEY?

On a trip such as this, one changes or has plenty of time to reflect. I came to realize that, at some point I allowed myself to forget why I train martial arts in the first place, for exercise and well being. In Florida, I was slowly turning into a warrior. Why? I spend a lot of time at the Disney Parks and live in one of the safest places in Florida. Like seriously, who the hell am I going to fight? Mickey Mouse? In my 50 years of life, I have had multiple altercations and I managed each one of them peacefully by being humble and refusing to instigate. I am generally very situationally aware and purposely avoid conflict or situations that could compromise my safety. Point is, my focus is fitness, not fighting.

Now, please don’t think I’m discrediting the usefulness of martial arts to protect oneself. Sometimes you find yourself in situations you never planned for or can’t avoid. I recommend everyone learns how to protect themselves in one way or another.

So, mission complete. I’ve had my fun. Now the real work begins!

11/08/2025

One of the beautiful wonders of the world!

Oh and behind me is Crater Lake 😂🤣😎👊👊

20/06/2025

My Martial Arts training is about staying fit and healthy. If I’m not training in a class, then I’m finding another way to keep moving. Including hiking!

Today, we visited Smith Rock State Park and chose Misery Ridge Trail. And if you don’t enjoy a bit of a vertical challenge, then it may be just that!

None the less, it was exactly what I wanted and even though I didn’t make it back to Bend in time for Wushu, I still got plenty of excercise. And of course, took the time for a quick pose!

08/06/2025

Turning 50….

I don’t think I could have had a more perfect birthday!

It began with Tai Chi training with Master Chen.

Then I took a 2 hour nap 💤.

Next up was dinner at my favorite restaurant here in Bend Oregon, Active Cultures. A cool little spot with a selection of healthy choices.

I spent the next moments hiking and enjoying natural beauty. Exactly what i had hoped for on my special day of celebrating!

By chance, someone tossed my wife and I free tickets to watch a band called Yacht Rock Review 🎸, which felt like my introduction into an older age 🤣😂

Finally, we went home and watched Graffiti Bridge as the 7th is also Prince’s birthday! 💜

The perfect day spent with my beautiful wife in the majestic Bend Oregon.

02/04/2025

Bradfu and the Giant Trees! 🌲 🌲 🌲 🌲

26/03/2025

Shang-Chi: “This is your first visit and you came to see me?”
Me: “Well, you’re a martial artist, I’m a martial artist..”
Shang-Chi: “Really? What do you train?”
Me: “Wing Chun, Tai Chi, Muay Thai.”
Shang-Chi: “That’s my background, well all except Muay Thai.”
Me: “I call it BradFu!”

Shang-Chi: “That’s what I say after I defeat an enemy. “There’s a taste of BradFu!!”
😂🤣

22/03/2025

Arizona!

You gave me something I never knew I needed, the ability to slow down and heal.

I met some lifelong friends. We drank tea together, hiked together, and even practiced some meditative healing.

There were so many festivals including the Wushu Nationals to which my wife and I volunteered early set up and was offered the opportunity to be a competitor. I declined this time but perhaps in the future! Oh and Lion Dance on top of stilts! Amazing!!

I spent some time tightening up my Yang style tai chi at the Pheonix Wushu Academy under Master Ho.

But most importantly, I really had some time to think about the Martial Arts community, and my role in it, be it however small or big. While I still don’t have all the answers, I feel I’m getting closer to what matters most to me.

So thank you Arizona! On to the next state to learn new things!