Titles and Certificates:

5TH Degree Master Black Belt with National Organization of Registered Martial Artists, World Karate Ratings, and the International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts

Mixed Martial Arts backround in: Taekwondo, T’ai Chi, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Street fighting tactics, & Win Chung.

Certified Instructor, Pressure Point Control Instructor, Rape Prevention Instructor, World Black Belt Air Marshall Instructor& Certified Weapons Specialist.

Black Belt International Ambassador 2008

2004 State Weapons Champion

United States Martial Artisit Association State Director

KickUSA Certified Referee

B.S. Degree in Exercise Physiology/Nutrition Minor

Ordained in Metaphysical Studies/ Chakras and energy work recognized thru ULC.

---

ASSOCIATIONS AND AFFILIATIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO:

International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts
IFMMA application

Martial Arts Teachers Association

World Black Belt Association

Executive Bodyguard Protection Services / MasterBrianGates.com

United States Martial Arts Association

United States Martial Artist Association

Circle Of Masters/School Of Pyramids

---

The following Bio is an excerpt from the book “Masters Of The New Millineum” which will be going on sale at Border Books in 2007.

“…It Chose Me.”

An interview with Master Amy Reed



 

It wasn’t until college that she would enter into the world of Martial Arts. Twenty-five years later, Amy Reed has positioned herself among many of the greatest in the industry. Starting with awards and trophies, earning herself three Hall of Fame inductions, co-founding IFMA (International Federation of Mixed Martial Arts), and recently welcomed into the Circle of Masters, I had the pleasure to sit with Mater Amy Reed devoted wife and mother of three outside the dojo.

What do you mean when you say, “I didn’t choose Martial Arts, it chose me.”?

I didn’t grow up knowing I wanted to learn Martial Arts. At 16, I went with a friend of mine, Brian Gates (now Senior Master Brian Gates), to one of his Tang Su Do classes. I liked the energy I felt walking into the dojo. It felt…‘cool’.

But you didn’t join an Academy until you were 17. Is that right?

Yes, that’s right. In college I needed a job so I taught aerobics in a nearby Taekwondo Academy. I noticed that there weren’t many females involved in the Martial Arts community. Being the Tomboy that I am, I figured I’d give it a try and it turned out, I really liked it. Almost immediately after I started training, I felt better about myself. I felt a part of something bigger than me.

Did you know you were going to become an instructor at that point?

No, I just enjoyed learning and growing. I was never the best naturally. It took a lot of training hours, but it was always worth it when I’d finally nail a technique and could demonstrate it with precision. Becoming an Instructor didn’t come until after I graduated from college and moved back to Pittsburgh, PA. There I met one of my mentors, Senior Master Michael Caruso. He is the one who gave me my black belt and later, under his guidance, made me a Certified Instructor under the American Taekwondo Association.

Did you enjoy teaching?

I did. I got a charge out of seeing a student grasp what I was showing or explaining to them. In turn the students ended up helping me solidify my own techniques and style. Every time I had to show how to properly throw a front kick, I’d first have to demonstrate it correctly myself. This kept me on my toes and always on the quest for new knowledge to pass on.

When did you decide to open your own facility?

Well, once again it was Senior Master Caruso who pushed me in that direction. I had moved to East Windsor, Connecticut and despite there already being six or seven karate schools around, I decided to open my own Taekwondo Academy. Every conversation I had with Senior Master Caruso, he’d ask me when I was opening up my Academy. It got to the point where I didn’t want to answer my phone for fear it would be him bugging me. I wasn’t sure I was ready for it, but every other time in my training that he told me I was ready, I listened. This ended up being no different.

Tell us more about your Academy.

It started out with a handful of students in a 300 square foot dojo in my basement. My students paid enough to cover my costs and make a few extra dollars. At the time, I didn’t need it to make money. It was nice because I could focus solely on keeping the integrity of the Art without sacrificing just to make a buck. Soon, more people joined and it didn’t take long before I needed a bigger space.

Life has a funny way of making you do things you are supposed to do whether you think you’re ready or not.

Did you feel as though you had learned everything there was to know about the Martial Arts?

Never. On the contrary, the more I learn, the less I feel I know! I have always made practical use of my studies from teaching seminars to Law Enforcement Agents to being an Air Marshall in Defense Instructor and even a bouncer in a biker bar. Time off from teaching afforded me the opportunity to concentrate on the beneficial uses of harnessing the universal energy that surrounds us all. It’s been a wonderful experience and one in which I’ve meditated to receive guidance and learn from what I call my spiritual mentors or higher self the training of mind, body, and spirit.

Is that when you became a Master of the Art?

I was presented with the title of Master by Senior Master Brian Gates around the same time as getting my 5th degree. Both were very rewarding milestones in my journey. The titles are great, but really they end up pushing you to live up to that status. We teach our students at white belt that they already are a black belt, they just haven’t earned it yet. When they get their black belts, they are very proud, but realize that their training has only just begun. Becoming a Master is no different for me. We are all Masters of our own art and once we figure that out, our real training only then begins.

For the record, I believe you can only truly become a Master if, among other things, you have passed along the knowledge that you’ve learned throughout your journey.

What about the Martial Arts Hall of Fame?

The Hall of Fame was a great experience for me. I’ve always felt a bit like a pioneer as a woman in the Arts and the inductions into the Hall of Fame really confirmed that belief. The panel was made up of men whom I looked at as leaders in the industry. My belief was that you had to be politically connected or win a world championship to be considered. To have them recognize me for my dedication and commitment to Martial Arts as an Instructor and school owner was a real honor.

What more do you have to look forward to at this point?

There will always be new challenges in the Martial Arts and part of the thrill is overcoming those challenges and helping others to do the same. Seeing the changes in a student’s attitude and focus toward the positive in life will always be something to look forward to. To watch someone fail 1,00 times yet keep trying and finally achieve their goal is a story we all love to hear. In the Martial Arts, you get to see and live that inspirational story every time you step foot on the dojo floor.

What advice would you give to all the new students out there itching to get started in their training?

First, they need to know why they want to start training. Is it for health, self defense, tournaments, to get a start in the movies, or just a way to be actively involved in making life decisions? Once you know why, you can search for a school and instructor that meets your criteria for getting involved. The worst thing that can happen to someone just starting out is to go to the wrong school, have a bad experience because the school’s focus is on tournaments and you want to learn how to defend yourself, and end up quitting. The truth is that most Martial Arts programs are a good source for many things such as self confidence, a boost in energy and health, focus, balance and defense. Because of this, I believe that everyone can realize some benefit from Martial Arts training.

One last question. Do you feel you have been successful in your life?

That’s a good question. In terms of achieving my goals - yes. I achieved goals I never knew I had. It truly is a matter of sticking with something long enough and believing in your ability to achieve your goals. I always tell my students, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you are right!”.

Understand that along the way, I failed many times. I’ve chosen poor Instructors, taught theories that didn’t work at first, and made bad business decisions. These “failures”, however, always came with the reward of shaping me and making me better at what I do now.

What I have learned inside the dojo, I have been able to apply to other areas of my life. I wanted to get a degree in physiology. I achieved that. I wanted to jump from airplanes. I became a licensed skydiver. I wanted to learn more about energy and I have been accepted into the Inner Circle of Clergy as a result of my spiritual work. I even became an Ordained Minister of the Universal Life Seminary and am currently working towards a Doctorate in metaphysical studies. One goal leads to the next which in turn leads to the next and so on. My point is that this is one of the many valuable tools you learn in the Martial Arts which, as you see, can be applied to many aspects of your life outside the dojo.

I feel that my success is due to a true understanding of these lessons I have learned in the Arts and an application of them to achieve what I desire. In order to stay successful in this ever-evolving process I need to constantly search for the areas in my life where I can continue to grow, apply what I’ve learned, and share my experiences with others.

In closing, Master Amy Reed wishes to thank everyone who has ever supported her and to thank the Godforce for bringing these many gifts into her life. Currently, Master Amy Reed is set to open a new state-of-the-art facility in connection with a massive sports complex in Stuart, Florida where she resides. Master Amy Reed’s Black Belt Academy will be opening January 2, 2007. The life changing experience continues for all those lucky enough to be living in the Stuart/Martin County area. For more information about Master Amy Reed and all the contributions she has made to society, go to www.kickwithme.com