My wife Roberta started before me and she said that she loved it.She is from Italy and hadnt many friends.I thought it would be fun and it would help her if she she was ever assaulted.I joined well after her and soon found out alot about myself.The first time Mr Carr started class with a moment of meditation I told myself this would be great for me.Boy was I wrong within 20 mins I was sweating and becoming delerious.I thought i was gonna die right there.But I didnt.My second moment of meditation was like this.""please God dont let me die in front of these people and have them standing over me saying .He was so young""
I was in recovery from addiction and went to narcotics anonymous and continued classes with Mr Carr.He would always end class by talking about his experiences and sometimes he told how he failed in different areas of his life and other times where he excelled.but one thing was clear was that he talked alot about service.Serveice to your country,to your friends,to your city and service to children who had noone else to stear them away from narcotics and gangs.After class over 3 years ago after one of his speaches i asked about volunteering my time some how.I was immediately put into service teaching boxing to the truancy program Sensei heads at the Upper Darby Gym.What Sensei Carr taught wasnt always what he did.Neither was my whole life.I always set out to do right but times I went against what I knew was the truth.In NA we were taught listen to the message not the messenger.'
I was clean for 3 yrs and 9 months when I started using narcotics again.My wife was in Italy and she called Kevin and Mr carr.Mr carr came to my house and talked to me and tried to help me to get clean again.He came twice and kevin came too.I got clean and went back to training and volunteering.Mr Carr told me that I maybe the only person that would be kind and help those truant kids.and I was hooked
One day Sensei said to me why dont you get certified to be a personal trainer.And thats what idid.I went to school and became a certified personal trainer.I have clients tha have lost up to 50 pounds training with me at LA Fitness in Havertown.I have given back what Mr Carr showed me.I have never been late to work or missed a session with a client.I love my job.
My wife Roberta and I took with 5 other people the Blackbelt Test through Mr Carr on Memorial Day Weekend.I was put through a lietral hell for 3 days.We ran ,we sparred ,we rode out at Ridley Park on a bikeride ,then a Hike with Graves through the woods.I carried a 38 pound rock which after a while as I dropped back further and further I heard Mr Carr say ""Kevin go help pat with the rock"".We swam in the ridley creek.We went back to the gym for our final saprring test after not sleeping since fri we had to fight.I though I was gonna die of a heart atttack.I sparred 4 different people then all of them at once.I was getting pounded at every direction.I heard Mr Carr saying,""you want my blackbet you gonna earn it ,"" as they punched,kicked and knocked me to the ground.I kept getting up and trying to fight.When that last bell sounded i staggerred out of the ring in complete exaustion.Roberta came over to me and as we hugged a feeling of a joy i never had felt before.I was overwhelmed with a love for mr carr.I had used narcotics all my life and had asked God to help me be the person he wanted me to be.God had mr carr teach me .
I share with friends ,clients and anyone who will here me that the Upper Darby Gum and Andy Carr helped me to become the man God wanted me to be.I was given a second chance.Its called Back Street Redemption.Were on a backstreet behind the firehouse.But bring your heart and we will fill it with love and teach you what it means to be a blackbelt from the upper darby gym means.....
Pros: Achieve victory without combat
Cons: That I started at 40 years old
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