I was born at Travis AFB, California on November 16, 1978. I started in the Martial Arts when I was 14 years old. My Aunt Joey and my father had decided to enroll my little brother and me into a local Karate school. As it turned out this was a stepping stone for the future of my life. The Martial Arts have become an aspect of my life as it has with my father, and now both of my younger brothers, as we are all involved with the Martial arts.

The style that I have had the most formal training in is Shotokan Karate. Along with this, my father has taught me many things from other forms and systems that he has had training in. Some of these being Judo, Aikido, Ju Jitsu, and Kung Fu, along with others.

When I started taking formal training it was at The Way of Japan, School of Karate in Alamogordo New Mexico. The head instructor and owner of the school was Sensei Herman Luette, now a fourth Dan in Shotokan Karate. At the end of 4 years my father bought the school from Sensei Luette.

After my dad bought the school I thought that the progression to Black Belt would get easier, I was wrong. Being the son of the head Instructor and Owner of a school is not easy, and the expectations place upon a son, especially the oldest son, are heavy. I not only had to continue with my studies (in public high school, and Shotokan) but now had the added burden of helping to maintain the Way of Japan (cleaning, vacuuming, teaching classes, and a number of other things that I had to do).

Sensei Herman Luette came back to the school to test me for my black belt. The test lasted over 10 hours, but I made it! I have continued to practice and learn over the years, both on my own and with formal instruction.

I now have completed what seems like a circle and find myself back in Alamogordo. My Father and younger brother Chris have started another Martial Arts School: Complete Martial Arts. I find myself drawn to the Arts again and have been teaching classes. I have also decided to continue my formal training and seek my Second Degree Black Belt.

On the 25th of April of 2009 I completed all the requirements needed for my (Nidan), Second Degree Black Belt. For the past year I have gone to tournaments and have been judging, but not competing. This year I plan to give tournaments another chance and start competing again. I also have started to prepare myself to get ready to test for my Shodan in weapons.

On the 26th of March of 2011 I completed all the requirements needed for my (Sandan), Third Degree Black Belt. I have started to compete again in tournaments as well as judging still. I have took on the responsibility of teaching almost all classes down at the school. I am still on the road of training everyday to prepare myself for my test for Shodan in weapons. I will continue to train hard and prepare myself for my Yondan in Shotokan Karate.

Joseph R. Weis, Sandan Shotokan Karate