Those of us who have been with the school very long have had the occasion to meet and come to know GM Pellegrini. For those that are new to the school, we would like for you to meet this fine man and come to understand what makes John Pellegrini, well, Grandmaster John Pellegrini.

The following interview was conducted using questions prepared by Guru Mike Casto and Professor Lansdale:

Question: When did you start training in Martial Arts? And what arts have you trained in? Answer: My first exposure to Martial Arts came in 1958 with Judo. Over the past 40 years I have trained in Kung Fu, Shotokan Karate, TaeKwonDo, Hapkido, Aikido and Jeet Kune Do. I have also "informally" trained (seminars and camps) in Modern Arnis, KunTao Silat, Russian Sistema, Brazilian JuJitsu and Kuk Sool Won.

What art do you consider the core of your personal development? Hapkido

What is your rank or recognition in your art, and how did you acquire it? If you are a founder, please explain how you came to found the system you practice and teach? I hold an 8th Dan in Hapkido, issued by Grandmaster In Sun Seo 10th Dan, President of the World Ki-Do Federation / Korea Ki-Do Association, a Korean Government chartered organization to oversee, certify and promote Korean Martial Arts. During my years of studying and teaching Hapkido, I became convinced that although it was an awesome Self Defense system, it needed to evolve in order to meet the challenges of the modern Self Defense environment. In certain areas it needed to be expanded, to be made more comprehensive. While in other areas it needed to be reduced and simplified. The process of research and development to modernize the art led to the structuring and founding of my own system "Combat Hapkido" (Chon-Tu Kwan in Korean).

What makes the system you practice unique? What is it that appeals to you personally? What I believe makes the Combat Hapkido system unique is its total focus on effective, practical, realistic Self Defense. We are unapologetically unconcerned with "art" and "sport" and "tradition". It appeals to me personally, primarily for these reasons: flexibility, open mindedness and a scientific approach. What that means is that Combat Hapkido has no mandated boundaries or limitation. We continue research to evolve the system to remain at the cutting edge of the scientific, legal and social development of Self Defense. We will continue to add, to eliminate, to reshape, to adapt. The freedom to create, pursue and restructure makes the Combat Hapkido system dynamically alive.

What do you feel are the most important aspects of training? Sincere desire to learn. Commitment to that goal. Dedication in pursuit of that goal and perseverance during the journey. Training encompasses physical, mental and spiritual areas. During training you can identify your strengths and weaknesses in any of those areas. Serious training also gives the tools to improve, correct and enhance any of those three areas.

What person most influenced you in the martial arts? I cannot single out one name. I have been inspired, influence, motivated, coached and shaped by several great Martial Artists to list a few: Bruce Lee and Ed Parker (although I have never met them); Wally Jay, Bill Wallace, Willem De Thouars and of course, most of all, my teacher and my friend, Grandmaster In Sun Seo.

What qualities do you look for in students, and what do you look for in students you plan to award an instructorship under you? The first two prerequisites are desire and commitment. The second two are dedication and hard work. The third are loyalty and integrity. Technical competence and skills are obviously of paramount importance but are meaningless without the other attributes.

How do you feel the focus of your training has changed over time? It used to be 80% physical and 20% mental. As I age and, hopefully, become wiser and more skilled, the ratio has completely flip-flopped. Now it is 80% mental and 20% physical. When I say "mental" what I mean as that with age comes experience, wisdom, the tempering of emotions, increased awareness, better strategy and tactical applications. I am faster, more relaxed and more skilled than I have ever been. Physical prowess is definitely an asset but as it naturally decreases with aging, it must be supplemented by an increase in mental prowess.

What would you advise people to look for when trying to find an instructor? And what advice would you offer people when they start martial arts? "Caveat Emptor" the Romans used to say, buyer beware! The only advice that I feel is meaningful is: investigate! An educated consumer has a much higher chance to make the right choice than an uninformed one. Shop around, watch a class, compare, check credentials, read about the Martial Art you are thinking learning. Does it meet your needs, aspirations, goals, requirements? After you have made your decision and have started classes, be patient with yourself and trust your instructor. You may feel awkward, overwhelmed, discouraged or even stupid. This is normal when learning a new skill and a foreign discipline. Work on learning methodically and improving yourself. Do not compare yourself to others and most of all: STICK WITH IT!!!

What do you believe is the purpose of Martial Arts? Sport? Self Defense? You tell us. The purpose is whatever it represents to each individual. The study of Martial Arts offers unlimited opportunity for self realization... physical, mental and spiritual. Through the Martial Arts over the past 40 years, I have experienced growth, fulfillment and development in all three areas. However, having said that, my personal overriding purpose in studying the Martial Arts is the scientific research of effective and realistic Self Defense. After all the Martial Arts were originally designed as fighting techniques to survive on the battlefield. Although the context and environment of modern society is different, the goal to survive and prevail in a violent attack should still be paramount.

Have you ever used martial arts in self defense? Having worked in law enforcement and security for about 20 years, I have had many occasions to employ my skills in physical confrontations.

What do you think of the modern trends in martial arts, like the UFC? I do not care for them and do not follow them. As far as being "no rules" fights, there are no biting, head butting, groin strikes, small joint attacks. And many other valuable Self Defense techniques are not allowed. Certainly they will be present in a "street" confrontation. Also when you introduce matting, a referee and time limits, they become nothing more than another sport pitting two trained athletes against each other. Although they have awakened interest in the value of ground fighting skills, they have done nothing to promote the study of the martial arts to the general public.

Do you consider your art traditional, or non traditional? And what do you see is the difference between the two? Or is there a difference? I started with the study of traditional martial arts. In the past 15 years I have become more and more "eclectic". While I still respect the traditional approach and its many benefits, I needed to move on to a different level. The difference, as I see it, is that the non traditional approach affirms that martial arts systems, like everything in life, must evolve and adapt to changing times and environments. It also allows the freedom to cross train in other arts and to experiment with new technologies. I strongly agree with this view.

What trends do you see on the horizon for martial arts and martial artists? The continued appearance on the scene of "fads and fashionable trends" that quickly capture the market and fade away a couple of years later. Truly proven arts and systems, built on solid foundation, will endure and prosper.

If you current founder and / or grandmaster of the system you practice, how will you choose a successor? Through a process of careful selection based on technical competence, loyalty, integrity and commitment.

Finally, do you have a favorite martial arts story, fact or fable? Aside from the urban legend of martial artists having to register their hands as deadly weapons with the police department (and some people still believing it!!), I think that the most persistent myth is that there are deadly martial arts "secrets" that can only be taught by some "masters" to special students. The only big secret left in the martial arts is that there are no secrets for the serious, inquisitive and dedicated student.

Thank you Grandmaster Pellegrini for your time and for the opportunity for us to learn a little more about the man behind Combat Hapkido.