Where I’m Meant To Be
Andrew Jordan
My martial arts journey began on a typical Saturday afternoon in 2010 when I was 11 years old. My father, sister, and I visited a local Walmart, where we encountered Grandmaster Bobby Lamattina. Since my father knew Grandmaster from when my older siblings practiced karate as children, we decided to say hello. Little did I know that this day would change my life forever. On that day, Grandmaster taught me how to bow right there in that Walmart and invited me to his school to train with him.
As a kid, I experimented with several different sports. I played football in fourth grade and again during my freshman year of high school. I also tried boxing multiple times with my oldest brother, who was a Golden Gloves boxer. Additionally, I joined the wrestling team in sixth grade. I knew I enjoyed sports, particularly combat sports, but nothing seemed to fit... that is, until I stepped into the dojo for the very first time. Shortly after, I took my first teen class with Grandmaster's brother, Kyoshi Dave.
Four years later, on May 10th, 2014, I earned my teen black belt, which is where I met Shihan Kendall for the very first time. One
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day, after taking a black belt class, Kyoshi Dave huddled all of the students in the class up and explained that he was looking for some students to begin assisting with classes. When he asked for volunteers, my hand was the first one to shoot up. The following week, I went into the dojo right after school and began assisting with classes for the first time. I quickly learned that I had a passion not only for learning karate, but also passing on the knowledge I had learned to others.
For the next ten years, I continued to both learn and teach karate. During this time, I earned my third-degree black belt and became one of the head instructors and the program director. My experience at Tokyo Joe's taught me so much and played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I discovered my passion for martial arts, realized my true capabilities, and met some of the most important people in my life. I formed lifelong friendships, including my best friend and life partner, Sensei Claire, for whom I am extremely grateful.
While I enjoy reminiscing on my journey with Tokyo Joe's, I'm very thankful for the opportunity to start a new chapter with The Dojo. Over the last few months, I've enjoyed sharing my techniques, learning all new ones, and making all new friends and meeting so many new amazing warriors.
When I was rising through the ranks as an under-belt, I remember watching high-ranking black belts practicing advanced techniques with precision and grace. I was mesmerized and inspired, determined to one day move like they did. In that moment, I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be. Back then, I never imagined I’d one day stand in their place. As I continued my journey, I learned that only about 5–10% of students earn their first-degree black belt, just 1–3% reach second degree, and fewer still—around 0.5–1%—make it to third degree. Now, as I prepare to test for my fourth-degree black belt, I’m deeply aware of what a rare milestone this is. It's not just a rank—it's a symbol of years of dedication, growth, and the privilege of carrying forward the art that shaped who I am.
In the middle of 2024, Sensei Claire and I faced the difficult decision to say goodbye to our respective Tokyo Joe's families in order to pursue our future careers and other personal interests. At the time, we believed we had closed the chapter on our karate journey for good. But not long after, we received a message from Shihan Kendall, simply checking in to see how we were doing. Up until that point, we had only seen him in passing at black belt tests and tournaments, but his outreach meant a lot. He invited us to come take a class with him, just to reconnect with the art we loved. What started as a casual visit quickly turned into something more.
After just one class, we both knew we weren't ready to walk away. Soon after, we asked Shihan Kendall if he would be willing to take us on as students and train us for our fourth-degree black belts, to which he graciously agreed. That moment reignited the spark, and helped us realize our journey was far from over.
Not long after rejoining, we were invited to begin assisting with classes again -- something that felt both familiar and entirely new. Stepping back onto the mat as instructors reminded us why we fell in love with teaching in the first place. Being able to guide and encourage the next generation of martial artists has been a gift, and it's helped us reconnect to the roots of our training in a deeper way.
Now, as we prepare for our fourth-degree black belt tests, the moment carries more weight than any rank before it. It’s not just about advancing in the martial arts—it’s about honoring the people who helped shape us, rediscovering our passion, and reaffirming the commitment we’ve made to this way of life. For both of us, this test represents a full-circle moment: from wide-eyed white belts to dedicated instructors, from stepping away to coming home. We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come—and excited for where the path will lead next.
With honor and respect,
Sensei Drew Jordan