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About Sensei Sammy Sampson
I started my martial arts career in 1976 at 26 years old
I was taking night classes at Palmetto SR high school in Miami, Florida. On my way to my car one evening, I noticed a group of folks in the cafeteria training at what I thought at the time was a karate class. I was intrigued and wanted to know more. I signed up the next day. To my surprise I had joined a very traditional Japanese/American Jujitsu school founded by late O-sensei Michael Depasquale Sr. The classes were taught by Sensei Bill Dempsey. Bill attained Renshi Shihan 7th degree rank from O’sensei DePasquale before Bill passed in 2005.
Not knowing the history or the system or its roots or even caring, I continued training and learning the system of Yoshitsune Jujitsu then being taught as Hakko-RYU Jujitsu. Long story on that for another time.
1976 met my wife, Beverly, in that same Dojo/cafeteria. She was also training and made Nikyu (brown belt rank.) In 1983 we married after an 8 year trial run, LOL. Our first child (Billy) was born in 1985. Our second child, Shelley, was born 1988. I was the Parts Manager at one of the largest Toyota dealerships in the country where I later was in charge of two Toyota and two Lexus parts departments. Life was good and full of love and family and fame.
In 1984, at the age of 34 I received my first black belt test and promotion. 8 years after my beginning journey. Black belt promotions did not come easy or quickly. I later received Nidan and Sandan rank in the same system.
I also dabbled in Goju -Reyu Karate. I liked the meaning of Goju, Go (hard strikes), ju (soft blocks). I trained and received Shodan rank in USA Goju by Master Ray Battle. Special thanks to Ray for being there when my mother passed in 1985.
Some years after receiving these accomplishments, maybe 1994, I for some reason or other decided that I had become whole and decided to put off all martial arts for a bit and concentrate on my family and children
I did not miss dropping out on my martial arts journey because of my family and career at the time.
Time passed on, kids grew up, career continued to grow. At the age of 65 I decided it was time to retire from Toyota. I had time to revisit my thoughts and how I missed the value and of my martial arts and discipline that it had brought me.
In 2018 I started on a new journey in my martial arts career. I searched out schools that might get me back to my beginning disciplines and techniques. All my past practitioners and mentors had either passed away or moved away. So, I was left with a decision to try a new style. Boy, was I in for a surprise on how the world had changed and how out of touch and out of shape I was!
Looking for schools that taught Jujitsu, I landed in a BJJ school near me. I did not know BJJ was completely the opposite of my beginning curriculum. It was funny how the mind can trick you into what your body can still do. Meaning the first side break fall I did, I could not even get up by myself. Everyone was supportive and helped me get to my feet again. It wasn’t the physical part that bothered me as much of the disciple and teachings were mostly grappling and floor work. BJJ is actually a tough and competitive sport, but I was looking more to my roots of self-defense techniques.
So, I dojo hopped looking for a school that I thought was a match.
I finally found a school in the next town away that practiced Yoshitsune Jujitsu! The instructor, Aaron Mitchell, took me in and eventually I was on a way back to spiritual, mental, and physical peace. I thought that I had found a home. Then Covid and landlords found a way to shut down my journey again.
I was determined not to quit again and started my own little school in the backyard of our Miami home, with, of course, my bride’s consent. I have been training two students from the dojo in Homestead, but I was still looking for a mentor. I reached out to a Soke Joseph Miller in Japan for help and guidance but quickly discovered Japan was a little too far to travel
I eventually found Sijo Tomas Gettling and the WWA group. I can’t say enough about him or the people in his broad and wide circle of legendary martial artists.
My mission statement is short and sweet... I wish to pass on every virtue, learning experience that I have ever been gifted by others to help future generations of eager practitioners. My mission in life and martial arts is to keep practicing, listening and learning.
So here I am, 72 years young, rich in family, friends, fellow practitioners, and martial artist. That is history, and the future is bright. Thank you to Sijo for letting me be part of the family, and the best is yet to come.