I could say how Mr. Andre is an excellent martial artist and proficient in multiple styles. I could say how he has a great record as a previously active MMA fighter before mixed martial arts rose to prominence. I could say how he is a tremendous athlete who does not let age dictate his physical prowess. I could say how he is experienced beyond combat sports and has an array of connections in the realm of self-defense, garnered from his time putting his hard work and style to the test. I could say all of these things and more about Mr. Andre, however, these things are not the reasons as to why I would recommend him to others. My heartfelt recommendation stems from his ability to connect with a person, educate them, and empower them through the martial arts, regardless of their skill level, physical ability, disability, background, education, and personality.
I have seen many people come under his wing during my time with Mr. Andre, and they come from all walks of life. There are people who have never thrown a punch before in their life with no martial arts background. There are people who are starting again after a long break, well into their lives, and are looking to retrieve lost experience. There are people who have excellent physical ability, and there are those who are beginning to develop theirs. There are people with physical difficulties and disabilities. People from any profession. Mr. Andre works with and accommodates them all, with specific martial arts techniques and instruction at the ready, presented in a way to be most easily absorbed and digested by that individual.
In regards to his martial arts instruction, I have been with Mr. Andre for over three years now, and I have seen firsthand his ability as a martial artist which has been tempered by his time as an active fighter. There is no skill that he does not teach that he himself cannot do, no matter how complicated or physically demanding it may seem. But, what Mr. Andre impressively brings is his acumen in this realm-- he is able to explain a technique’s utility in multiple situations, be it combat sports or for self-defense, and how to best apply it. Personally, I have brought many questions before him about multiple techniques, from the basic 1-2, to more intermediate topics such as how to best practice footwork during rolls for optimal striking positions in an open stance (for both punches and kicks), and every time, he had a conscientious and deliberate answer waiting for me. Every time. This goes beyond techniques as well. He has stratagems developed for sport fighting that he hones for you, talks through more realistic scenarios and what can be done with what you have learned.
It’s these personalized answers that he has ready for you that shows how effective he is as an educator. There are many people who are effective teachers and instructors of martial arts and the techniques therein, but there are few people out there who can educate, not just teach and show, a person their domain of expertise. He accommodates a person’s method of learning, physical status, and skill to deliver his best level of instruction to that individual. With this, he also shows how best to develop yourself physically to progress in the realm of physical education. Despite all of these things and everything he does know about the martial arts, what made me believe most in his ability to educate and teach is not what he does know, but that he knows what he does not know, and, furthermore knows where to send you to learn that which he does not.
There is plenty more I can say about Mr. Andre. But, words simply won’t do for something that must be experienced firsthand. Mr. Andre is all of these things and more to me, and he can be all of this to you as well. If you are eager to learn and ready to devote the time, effort, and training to him, then Mr. Andre will absolutely help break through your limits, transform you into a better version of yourself, and discover your potential through the martial arts.
Posted 4 months ago
