Mike Carter

Nanadan Candidate of 2024

BUTOKUKAN - Forty-Six years young - Twenty-Five years of training

 When I began my training in 1998, I was a twenty-something who had watched a few too many martial arts movies. My interest was piqued, and I learned about Buzz Durkin's Karate School by searching the Yellow Pages, of all places. I was impressed by the dojo space and how inviting everyone was as they greeted me. I remember Mr. Durkin asking me, "Why do you want to study martial arts?" when I visited that day. Although I can't recall my response, it must have been reasonable because I started my study later that week.

After 25 years of training, I can say I have applied my martial arts study to every aspect of my life. At the time of my initial training, I was pursuing a bachelor's degree in music at UMass Lowell and was uncertain about my future. I worked a security job at night and attended college classes during the day. Running on adrenaline, I managed to fit in Uechi training twice a week amidst my hectic schedule.

Fast forward to today, I lead an innovative technology group working to improve and expand healthcare delivery for millions of people worldwide. Transitioning from music to a technology leadership role was not easy, but my martial arts training taught me how to take concepts, interpret them, and adapt them to my unique situations. This skill was crucial in making the transition possible.

I continue to leverage my martial arts training every day, whether working on my weaknesses or building on my strengths in the dojo, or applying the martial arts mindset to tackle the latest problem or crisis at work. It's been a fun and exciting journey, and I hope one day I'll be able to pass it down to my son or others.