Andre LaVelle

After seeing Bruce Lee in the movie (Enter the Dragon), I became obsessed with martial arts and fitness and began training at the age of seven. However, my quest to achieve the level of Master Lee's intensity would be stunted as I found myself fighting for my life at the tender age of eight. After being shot, the injury to my stomach and intestines plagued me for many years, and complications stemming from the initial trauma caused me to be hospitalized a second time during my freshman year of high school to have part of my lower intestine removed. The scar on my stomach and back, showing the route of the bullet that narrowly missed my spine, is my constant reminder of my good fortune. Having defied death and paralysis at such a young age, I have never allowed pain or discomfort to limit me. I immediately began secretly training while hospitalized to regain my strength and flexibility. Doctors were amazed at how quickly I recovered from such a major surgery. Within a few months after my hospitalization, I was in the Dojo under the tutelage of Martial Arts Heavy Weight Champion Sensei Vincent "Shorty" Mills at the Pagoda Martial Arts Academy in Chicago. It was there that I developed a reputation for tenacity and heart, often requesting to spar with higher-ranking belts. Sensei Mills was an Illinois county Sheriff by profession and as the gang activity in Chicago increased, our martial arts instruction focused less on the traditional form of training and focused more on practical application of street survival and body conditioning. Our sparring sessions became full contact fighting and most of us found it difficult to alter our techniques for tournament point sparring. Most of my tournament activities ended with disqualifications for excessive force and violence. I continued my quest within the Martial Arts independently, training with various instructors in a variety of styles, subconsciously adopting Master Lee's philosophy for the combative arts.