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THREE QUESTIONS FOR TOM CALLOS
ABOUT THE ULTIMATE
BLACK BELT TEST, UBBT
Tom
Callos of the UBBT
Heard of the Ultimate
Black Belt Test (UBBT)? According to
its founder, martial arts innovator Tom Callos, it’s the most
revolutionary instructor training program
in the martial arts world. In this interview,
USADOJO.COM asks Callos a few probing questions about his program:
USADOJO.COM: What, exactly, is the Ultimate Black Belt Test?
CALLOS: It’s a new formula and process for the achievement
of belt rank in the martial arts. The ideas in the program aren’t
limited to black belts only; they can be applied, in part, to the
achievement of any belt rank. It’s also a new definition for
what a “black belt” is.
The UBBT is a life-coaching program --which, I think, takes the “business” of
the martial arts to a new level. It’s a new product/service,
and I believe it is the “business” we are going to be
in --in the near future. The UBBT --or something like it --is what “master” instructors
are going to be doing with their most dedicated students.
The UBBT is an instructor training program. Anyone who follows
the UBBT’s curriculum for the duration of the “test” comes
out a better martial artist, a better teacher, and a better human
being. The program is all about “walking the talk” of
the martial arts. Most instructors can talk a good game, but do
they really live their beliefs? That’s a tough question! It’s
easy to talk about all the benefits of the martial arts --and very
hard to live them. The UBB iabout taking all the “ideas and
concepts” of the martial arts and, well, living them on a
day to day basis. Hard work!
I’ve often heard the martial arts called “a way of
life.” The UBBT is turning that idea into concrete, measurable
concepts. For me, the UBBT is a giant experiment. It’s about
trying new ideas, experimenting with new training concepts, networking,
teamwork, and creating a new future for the martial arts world.
I’ve called the UBBT a “business program cleverly disguised
as a self-improvement program --and a self-improvement program cleverly
disguised as a business program.” And quite honestly, I don’t
know exactly what the program is to each of its participants --and
I like it that way.
USADOJO.COM: What’s so “new” or different about
the UBBT as compared to “standard” black belt testing?
CALLOS: Well, what is “standard” black belt testing?
There’s no such thing --and honestly, most of the black belt
tests I’ve heard about and seen aren’t anything to write
home about. I mean, there are some very reputable instructors in
our industry, there are some black belt tests that are masterpieces,
but in my opinion we still have a lot of room for improvement.
The UBBT shows a model for a test that lasts longer, thus creating
more habitual changes in behavior and thinking. The idea of students/testers
being required to perform a certain number of repetitions to qualify
for testing --that’s a no-brainer. Having tests that are customized
to fit each individual --why not? Why should we have a 45-year-old
performing the same test as a 25-year-old? And what about goals
outside of the “realm” of the martial arts? The UBBT
is full of all-new ideas for making testing more important, more
effective, and more empowering. It’s my prediction that the
UBBT will become the “standard” for belt testing in
the martial arts. Some or maybe all of the ideas in this project
will permeate the martial arts community and serve as a base for
all rank tests in the future.
USADOJO.COM: Is the UBBT the hardest black belt test in the world?
CALLOS: No, the UBBT is the smartest
black belt test in the world, not the
hardest. I had an instructor call me
when he saw the UBBT and tell me that
his black belt candidates went three-days
without food or water. He went on to
tell me how many rounds of sparring they
had to do in a day, how many miles they
had to run, and all sorts of other torturous
activities. Yes, his test was harder, but not smarter. We don’t
want to kill our students or put them through
anything we wouldn’t want
to endure --or enjoy --ourselves. What
we want is real transformation. We want
them to develop their powers, their intellect,
and their ability to feel compassion,
empathy, and love. We want evolved human
beings, not lunk-head fighters who think
that pain and torture are the only way
to become advanced martial artists. The
last thing we need on this planet is another fighter.
A CHALLENGE FROM TOM CALLOS
The Ultimate Black
Belt Test
The Ultimate Black Belt Test
(UBBT) is a training and testing program for black belts, but that’s
not all it is. The UBBT is also a journey, a spiritual quest for
knowledge, personal growth, and wisdom. It is a
quest to evolve as a martial artist and,
more importantly, as a human being. There are three primary forces
that go to work for the person who participates in the UBBT:
1. The Individual
Nobody can “make” you a master. The most important
ingredient for a participant in the UBBT is to commit yourself completely
to your goals. It’s the kind of commitment where failure is
not an option. If you're willing to commit
yourself to excellence and to surround yourself with the things
that represent this, your life will change.
2. The Team
Surrounding yourself with people who believe in you,
who support you, and who have incredibly high expectations of you,
help you to achieve a level of excellence above and beyond the ordinary.
3. The Coach
Tom Callos is the team coach and creator of the UBBT.
He’s
known as one of the most innovative teachers in the martial arts
world. When you join the UBBT, Tom’s job is, essentially,
getting you to stick to your word, stick to your goals, and to set
a mark just above the one you might set for yourself. He’s
also tasked with creating a curriculum
and an environment where you are challenged
to grow physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
Of these three components, the most important one --by far --is
your commitment. If you're truly committed to achieving your goals,
then the team and the coach will be your support team extraordinaire.
If you're ready to walk the talk; if you're ready to make the next
two years the best years of your life; if you're ready to take a
journey; then you are ready for the Ultimate Black Belt Test.
To learn more about the UBBT, visit www.ultimateblackbelttest.com.
To see Tom Callos’ bio visit www.tomcallos.com.
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