A Personal Journey from My Heart to Yours: 'Your Karate' is Almost Ready

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Osu, everyone,

I’ve always said that the dojo is more than just a place to train; it’s a second home where we forge our spirits together. For four decades, my life has been defined by the snap of a Dogi and the collective energy of our students. But there is a deeper side to this journey that doesn't always fit into a standard class.

Over the past several months, I’ve been sitting down to put those "unspoken" lessons into words. I wanted to create something that would serve as a roadmap for anyone looking to make this art a lifelong companion.

Introducing My First Book

Today, I’m incredibly proud to share that my first book is almost ready: Your Karate - How to make Karate work for you.

Beyond the Template

I chose this title because I truly believe that Karate shouldn't be a "one-size-fits-all" experience. Whether you are a parent supporting your child, a newcomer finding your footing, or a black belt searching for that next spark of inspiration, this book is my way of sharing how to stop training like a "customer" of a style and start becoming the master of your own journey.

What’s Inside the Pages?

This isn't a technical manual full of diagrams (that's coming later in Book 2!). Instead, it’s a personal look at the "hidden" side of the martial way. I’ve included stories and insights that I hope will resonate with your own life:

• The Struggle for Air: My early days in Communist Romania, fighting asthma and seeking a "forbidden" art to find my strength.

• The Laboratory vs. The Street: Real talk about self-defense, including the mistakes I made and the lessons learned in the "total war" of real-world conflict.

• The 24-Hour Karateka: How your lifestyle—from nutrition to hobbies like riding motorcycles and playing guitar—actually fuels your power on the mats.

• The Power of Resilience: How to navigate the injuries and plateaus that make most people quit.

• A Letter to the Boy I Used to Be: Perhaps the most personal part of this book is the conclusion. I’ve written a "Letter to My Younger Self"—the 12-year-old boy in Sibiu who didn't think he could ever be strong. I wrote it for him, but I also wrote it for anyone who has ever felt like they weren't "enough" to walk the warrior's path.

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The Launch is Just Weeks Away

We are currently in the final stages of design and formatting. In just a few short weeks, Your Karate will be available for our Contact Kicks family and the global community to hold in their hands.

I wrote this because of you—the students and families who make this dojo what it is.

Thank you for being a part of my legacy. I can’t wait to hear what you think of this "inner look" at the art we all love.

Stay tuned to our blog and social media for the official 2026 release date!

Osu!

— Shihan Steve