The Ultimate Black Belt Test (UBBT) is, in part, an idea machine for martial arts teachers who want to create better, more effective, more meaningful black belt tests. Since the UBBT’s beginning in 2004 there have been as many as 100 original, innovative, and useful ideas and projects that have come out of the program.
These are a few of the ideas and projects that really stand out and have their roots in the UBBT soil:
(We’re working to bring food talk and education into the martial arts industry).
Where UBBT alumni Brian Williams is on his way to being a catalyst for One Million Acts of Kindness (Brian’s done so much with his work, you simply have to visit his site for the big picture).
Where UBBT alumni Gary Engels is taking the idea of experiential community-engaged learning with Project-Based Leadership Training (another Ultimate Black Belt Test innovation) to new heights.
The website for the very first Anger Management Teacher Training program specifically designed for martial arts teachers - it’s also a model for how martial arts instructors will learn new skills, in the future.
The home of the diabetes education program (The Kid Initiative to Defeat Diabetes® (KIDD™) Curriculum).
Home of The 100: a graduate level Martial Arts Teacher Training Program for school owners.
... And well, there are dozens of other programs launched by members for the benefit of their communities, the international martial arts community, and the world, in general. Perhaps this year we’ll have to, finally, assemble a complete list of all UBBT member projects?
The Ultimate Black Belt Test has introduced original and semi-original ideas such as:
• year long tests;
• tester journals;
• quantifying reps as testing requirements;
• environmental self-defense requirements;
• empathy training;
• student-designed tests; and much more.
We’ve hiked the Sierras, ran races on the beach in Hawaii, built houses in rural Alabama, cleaned up tons of refuse under the Golden Gate Bridge, worked in a homeless shelter in the Bowery in New York, hung out with Thich Nhat Hanh, Dan Millman, and Julia Butterfly Hill, collectively walked more than 10,000 miles, done millions of push ups, tens of thousands of rounds of sparring and repetitions of kata, and inspired thousands of people to take their martial arts “out of the dojo and into the world.”
All of this effort and work from the more than 100 martial arts teachers who have participated in the UBBT has been created and worked with little to no fanfare, recognition, awards, or accolades.
This is a part of our tradition.
The UBBT comes and goes and we do the work because it’s the right thing to do. In the end, members receive a graduation or participation certificate... and then we begin again.
If you’re ready to make your black belt test something extraordinary, if you’re ready to go through this experiential learning curve, if you’re ready to enter this program’s unusual and wonderful world of extraordinary expectations, feel free to contact coach Tom Callos. We’re assembling a team for the next UBBT.