AWARDS
WINNER Young Adult Non-Fiction, Best Book Awards 2019
RUNNER-UP Next Generation INDIE Book Awards 2019
Willie "The BAM" Johnson will lead readers down the path of self-development on their quest to be the best. I highly recommend this book to everyone striving for personal excellence and balance in life. — Dennis Brown
Willie "The BAM" Johnson offers his own hard-won battles for success as examples of how dedication to the martial arts can provide the way to achieve personal excellence. This book should have a place in the personal library of every martial arts student. — Stephen K. Hayes, Black Belt Hall of Fame Member
The Complete Martial Artist: Developing the Mind, Body, and Spirit of a Champion is directed to young adults and provides a program that blends the author's own childhood experiences and struggles with hardship with a program of martial arts values that translates nicely to a revised view of life and living. Within the martial arts structure is advice on not just forms and competitions, but how to use these martial arts strategies as patterns to life by. From the characteristics of a champion and knowing the difference between basic truths and learned techniques to foundations of sparring, stretches and other exercises, and handling weapons, this focus directed to young martial artists profiles not just a specific program but an approach to life that adults will find uplifting, supportive, and positive for their young aspiring martial artists.—Midwest Book Reviews, Diane Donovan, Editor, February 2020
“Willie Johnson has penned a wonderfully-inspired book based both on his mastery of kung-fu and his rise from a street kid to prominence in the world of martial arts. This book is about much more than martial arts. Grandmaster Johnson has evolved beyond physical technique into the world of personal spirituality. He presents a journey well worth reading.”
—Dr. Jerry Beasley, PhD, 8th dan, author, professor of Health and Human Performance at Radford University
“I have known Sifu Johnson for over twenty years and was an admirer of his incredible skill as a competitor in the early 90s. My first introduction to him was when I was the promoter for my father’s tournament in Washington, DC (The Jhoon Rhee Nationals). What is even more impressive about him is his incredible heart and how much he cares for the people in his community. It is common knowledge that he had a rough past, but he has owned up to it and his experience with this difficult time in his life has transformed him into an amazing human being. Sifu Johnson is one of the very few martial artists that I can confidently say “walks the talk.” He is an inspiring and motivational instructor and has a wealth of knowledge with respect to street self-defense. I highly recommend this book to all people regardless of their level of skill in the martial arts.”
—Master Chun Rhee, owner Jhoon Rhee Tae Kwon Do, Nobody Bothers Me, Inc., Falls Church, VA
“This book was a joy to read. I was intrigued by ‘The Bam’s’ most recent book as it depicts how one can use martial arts to help focus on traditional core values as well as the physical and mental benefits that also result. In addition, the fact that self-defense is also highlighted in this book makes it a book that not only challenges its readers to become health conscientious but also prepares them for whatever comes their way. This book is much more than simply a focus on martial arts. This book aims to challenge and promote the mind, body, and soul in each of us.”
—Dr. Lance Stout, Deputy Superintendent of Schools, Independence, Missouri, PhD in Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership, Wichita State University
“This book is a gift to the world from a man who lays bare his heart and his struggles in the hope of bringing positive effect on the people it touches. His dedication as a martial artist is only matched by his dedication to do the hard work in local communities to show people a better path to a fulfilling life. Do yourself a favor and share this book and Willie ‘The Bam’ Johnson’s philosophy with those around you. We’ll all be better for it.”
—Matt Dean, film and TV Producer, Los Angeles
“Willie Bam Johnson's extraordinary ability to share his life experiences and life lessons in compelling speeches and talks that are full of powerful insights make him a very dynamic and charismatic speaker. He has a unique ability to connect with both the youth and their parents.”
—Warrington Hudlin, film and TV Producer, New York
“Seeing the challenges that Willie ‘The Bam’ Johnson faced at every turn in life, and his overcoming of one hardship after another through the discipline of Martial Arts will make you put yourself back on the floor with renewed dedication to the path of a better life.”
—Kris Wilder, author, U.S. Martial Arts Hall of Fame member, National Board-Certified Life Coach
“Willie ‘The Bam’ Johnson shares highs and lows from his life, and how these events taught him and shaped the philosophy he shares in The Complete Martial Artist. The lessons learned from these significant life events are universal and they can be applied by any martial artist, regardless of style or rank. Johnson’s wushudowill help you along your road of self-development. With a focus on developing physical, mental, and spiritual fitness, the twelve universal principles of wushudowill not only help you become a better martial artist, but a better person through training in the martial arts. Many martial artists teach that martial arts provide a road toward not only self-defense, but also fitness, character development, and spirit. Willie Johnson provides you a map to do just that, develop yourself physically, mentally, and spiritually.”
—Alain Burrese, J.D., former army sniper, 5th dan Hapkido, author of Hard-Won Wisdom From The School Of Hard Knocks
“The Complete Martial Artistby Willie ‘The Bam’ Johnson is a fantastic read! Johnson shows through his engaging life story that winning alone does not develop your strengths, your struggles also develop your strengths. His book outlines a solid and practical code of conduct that he recommends to be followed by martial artists. This book goes far beyond just physical martial arts techniques to give you a profound learning experience. Highly recommended for those who want to make martial arts a meaningful way of life!”
—Andrew Zerling, veteran martial artist, multi-award winning author,Sumo for Mixed Martial Arts: Winning Clinches, Takedowns, and Tactics
“Great Work Mr. Johnson. You are a blessing to many. Keep up your greatness. God Bless.”
—Robert L. Wallace, CEO, Birthgroup Technologies, author of Let God Be GodBlack Wealth: Your Road to Small Business Success
February 2020. This book has allowed me to find myself in so many different ways. It allowed me to keep calm and think through issues. It made me learn to be a well-rounded martial artist and overall person. I got a vision into a world that I have barely begun understand I learned over 50 years of knowledge at 13. It also helped keep me in focus through all the stuff around me and distractions. It gave me base idealisms that I will keep for the rest of my life to be the happiest and best self I can be. — Fortune Carolina (age 13)
March 27, 2020. I am glad I read The Complete Martial Artist! The book has very good lessons and new techniques that I had not yet learned in class. When I am reading the book, it’s like I am in class hearing Professor BAM reminding me of some of the important lessons that I can use in martial arts and also in life.
My favorite part of the book was learning about Professor BAM’s past. He dealt with drugs, jail, and homelessness and after all of that still got back up on his feet and is teaching class (virtual class via ZOOM, that is…due to COVID-19) today! Two stories I remember was when he was playing with firecrackers and the police showed up and tried to run his face into the walls going all the way down the building and then arrested him. Another story was when Professor BAM left his ID at Master Brown’s dojo and the police let a drug dealer into Professor BAM’s house. Those were shocking incidents, and show how Professor BAM has made it through a lot of rough situations.
I have been taking classes at BAMs martial arts and fitness since I was eight years old. Now I am twelve and in the Black Belt Cycle. This book goes right along with the teaching I get at the dojo. Many of the chapters help me stay focused because of the motivating quotes. On page 4, I read one of my favorite quotes: “If you have a dream or a goal, pursue it.” I like this quote because I believe if you follow your dreams you have the potential to do great things and you will love what you are doing. A lot of successful athletes are doing what they want in life and are working hard and that’ s why they are successful. Examples are Professor BAM, Master K, Simone Biles and the late Kobe Bryant.
Another quote I like is “Whatever your mind can conceive, you can achieve” on page 54. This quote reminded me of something my Dad told me, which is, “if you believe it, you can achieve it.” This quote will inspire me to be a better athlete and can help me when I am going through a hard workout or even a tough time in life. A tough time our entire world in going through right now is the Coronavirus. It is a pandemic that is killing people and causing us to miss school and stay home. It is a scary time, but I am going to do what the quote says and believe that I will be okay and achieve my part to help keep everyone safe.
In conclusion, it was nice to be able to write this book review instead of doing many “life lessons”. The Complete Martial Artist means a lot to me because it will help me rise up under pressure. Wushudo will help me be mentally tough so I will not quit when something is hard. I am grateful that Professor Bam is sharing all that he knows with me and the rest of us who are preparing to be champions! — Justice McDaniel
