 Sensei Joseph Hurtsellers' story is a dramatic and powerful one. Starting life in a broken home he found himself shuffled from city to city and surrounded by poverty. He was small as a child, and due to his low self-esteem, often became both a verbal and physical victim of bullies.
At the age of fourteen he began to study Martial Arts purely as a way to defend himself. Not only was he able to stop the bullying, but soon he discovered unanticipated benefits, such as an increase in confidence, concentration, and an improved physical appearance. Most unexpected of all, his previously failing school grades dramatically turned around, placing him as an honor role student. Sensei Hurtsellers' life is truly a reflection of the benefits of the Martial Arts.
By 1982 Sensei Hurtsellers began teaching Martial Arts as his one and only full time profession under the direct guidance and supervision of Hanchi Robert Bowles (Stylehead of the Shuri-Ryu Karate system). Sensei Hurtsellers has continued to teach Martial Arts full time ever since.
In 1988 Sensei Hurtsellers moved to the Toledo and opened his first dojo.
Sensei Hurtsellers' rise in the Martial Arts world has been dramatic to say the least. Among his accomplishments are:
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Two time Indiana State Champion
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Two time USKA National forms champion
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Winner of USKA World championships Middleweight division in 1985
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Chosen to represent the USA on the first ever full contact armored fighting team to compete against the Japanese in Tokyo, Japan and solidly defeated his opponent in 1986. (The U.S. team was coached and led directly by Grand Master Robert A. Trias – now deceased, who was the founder of Karate in the U.S. as well as creator of the Shuri-Ryu Karate system)
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Represented the USKK on their goodwill tour of Ireland in 1995.
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He was appointed to the prestigious advisory board of EFC “International Martial Arts Association” In June of 2001.
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He appeared on the cover of the January 2004 “Eagle Express” International Martial Arts trade magazine and wrote the feature article of the issue.
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Included in the Arts he has studied are: Okinawan Shuri-Ryu, under the direct supervision of former Chief Instructor and present day style head Hanchi Robert Bowles, as well as Grand Master R.A. Trias – now deceased, (founder of Karate in the U.S. and creator of the Shuri-Ryu Karate system). Additionally Mr. Hurtsellers also practiced under Hanchi Phillip W. Koeppel, founder and director of the USKK. Today Mr. Hurtsellers studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, - through his friendship and the kindness of Henzo Gracie Black Belt Professor Gene Dunn, and also studies an eclectic form of Shoalin Kung Fu through Sifu Robert Brown, (www.zenmartialarts.com) who is regarded by many the leading expert in the understanding of the internal aspects of Martial Arts living in the United States today.
Each of these unique individuals has had, and continues to have a profound impact on Sensei Hurtsellers life, and his martial practice, and truly his dojo would not be what it is today without any one of these great Master Teachers.
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His unique style of teaching helps his students to become masters of their own minds. Through meditation and mindful practice, he helps his students to be become masters of their actions rather than prisoners of their reactions. He believes that physical training alone is not enough. In order to gain the most, one must strengthen the body and mind.
Today Sensei Hurtsellers co-directs the Martial Arts Center of Sylvania, and the Martial arts Center of Maumee and Toledo. You will see him on the mats every night both teaching and training. You will also see him smiling; because in his own words: "I'm doing exactly what I love, the way I love it!"
Sensei Hurtsellers has taught seminars and spoken at various events throughout the country. He is known in the Martial Arts community as a dynamic motivational speaker – encouraging his audience to live the lives of their dreams by applying ancient principals to modern life. Listen
to our live Podcast talk with Sensei Hurtsellers
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