In the 1980s I pounced on the stampeding success of the Karate Kid movie franchise series and opened my own dojo. For several months I turned over a tidy profit. Had I known then what I know now about marketing I would have made a lot more money had I not named it Psychotica Unleashed.

Unlike many Grand Masters of the time, I taught indiscipline and lack of control. Focus was on frenzied, emotional attacks. We often used our weaknesses as strengths. Face-butting is a highly effective example of this, as is a good ‘belly buster’. I believe I am one of only a very few who use the groin to assail. Incidentally, while explaining how this can be effective one student’s pugnacious mother asked if these manoeuvres were more deadly with an erection. It’s unbelievable how vulgar some can be. Nutters come in all shapes and sizes.

“Life’s a fight so knuckle up”. That was our slogan and it is as poignant today as it was back then. But not exclusively does it apply to choking opponents. It’s also fighting o keep weight off, battling cholesterol, blocking unwanted sexual advances, fingering the eyes of sceptical society.

We live in a world of passive acceptance. How often do we hear “my weight is glandular”, “I’m a victim of circumstance”, “I would but I have a bad back”, or “they are raciest, wolfish, thugs”. No one is accountable anymore; no one is responsible for their short comings. What a bunch of PC rubbish. If your life is in tatters, it’s your fault. But that’s ok if you’re willing to change; if you’ve made a conscious decision to fight back, knuckle up, bounce back.

So, these days I’m a qualified, certified Life Expert but it’s the grounding I got in as Sensei in my Dojo that remains with me. I learnt on the job as I shaped my committed fighters/students. The wisdom I passed to them changed their lives. Many became successful sales reps, restaurateurs, florists. The have happy, healthy families. They dress in an appropriate manner.

I won’t lie to you. Two such students ended up in jail, but with their training in high octane martial arts fusion skills, they dominated their cellmates with berserk, calculated aggression. Soon they were pack leaders.

Intermittingly, I will be writing a column on this website. I have a lot to give so, stuff it, I’m giving it away for free. In reality, Weirdo.com.au is giving it away for free. I am, in fact, well paid.

If I can offer one piece of advice it is:
“Be your best and the best will be good”

Franco Skinns
Life Expert.