Erika Cross MacDonald

Rokudan Candidate of 2024
Neil Stone's Karate Academy - Sixty-One years young - Began training in 2001

I began my Uechi Ryu journey in November 2001 as part of a parent appreciation promotion. I was skeptical at first but soon grew to love it – the focus on only one thing, to be able to let everything else go if only for one hour – was heaven to me. Over time I grew to appreciate the discipline and structure and the physicality of it all. Twenty-three years later all these things still hold true. I also love the “family” I’ve gained through the years, people who want to help you succeed and care about you. I am very fortunate to have such a thing in my life.

I am very grateful for Sensei Neil Stone and his decades-long guidance and support of my Uechi Ryu journey. It has not been a linear one and he is always willing to meet me where I need to be at any given time. I am also thankful for the many people I have had the honor of studying beside, but especially, my husband Jeff.