In This Issue
Instructor Spotlight
Dominic Califano
2024 Instructor of the Year · Nichiren Buddhist · Junior Warriors Coach
Dominic earning his green belt · Westwood, 2013
Dominic with his Junior Warriors · Summer 2025
Senior Instructor Corner · by Will (Head Instructor)
A note from the mat on what it means to watch a student become a teacher.
I remember walking up to Westwood as a twenty-five-year-old. I already had a one-year-old, but I still felt like a kid myself. The dreaded after-school program always followed the 80–20 rule in reverse: 20% of the kids wanted to be there, while the other 80% were there because their parents wanted them to be.
From the moment I started teaching, I could tell Dominic was going to be talented. He followed along with the class, even while 80% of the other kids wanted to spin in circles.
Fast-forward several years, and Dominic and his dad were training together on the mat. I'll never forget seeing Dominic begin to come into his own and go toe-to-toe with his dad, Peter. Without the Califano family, there wouldn't be a Blur to train at. Having a family that supports you always helps.
Training with Peter pushed Dominic and kept him accountable. Peter eventually earned his second-degree black belt in Hawaiian Kempo and still teaches kickboxing on Tuesday nights. Meanwhile, Dominic has continued to grow as an instructor, earning Instructor of the Year in 2024.
One of the greatest privileges of being a coach is watching your students become instructors and come into their own. As a scattered-brained, fast-paced kid myself, I used those qualities to run high-intensity classes that kept kids engaged, training hard, and feeling like they were growing.
Dominic has a different style. He still gets the job done, but one of our Junior Warriors, Westley, summed it up perfectly: Mr. Dominic has a "pace" that helps kids who don't enjoy high-speed classes feel comfortable getting out on the mat.
Dominic is also active in his community as a Nichiren Buddhist with SGI-USA. We are proud to have him as an instructor at our school.
New Team Member
Meet Tristan
Front Desk · Lifelong Martial Artist · Dragon Ball Z Enthusiast
Tristan Cotter · Blur MA Front Desk
Tristan Cotter is a California native, lifelong martial artist, and former boxing instructor for kids — which made joining the Blur family a natural fit. When he's not on the mat, you'll find him at the beach with his dog or deep in a Dragon Ball Z rewatch. We sat down with Tristan to get to know him a little better.
Get to Know Tristan
Tell us about yourself.
"I was born in California and have spent lots of time traveling. I am a lifelong martial artist and love making and eating food!"
What drew you to this community?
"I love martial arts and I once was a boxing instructor for kids and I really enjoyed that, so this seriously was the perfect fit."
What do you do outside of work?
"I love training, hanging out with my dog, and going to the beach."
What Makes Tristan Tick
Something people might be surprised to learn?
"I love anime — especially Dragon Ball Z."
Biggest positive influence in your life?
"My older brother, for sure. He's a martial artist himself and he's always been there for me."
Favorite hobby or simple pleasure?
"Training martial arts and eating some good food."
What are you most excited to experience here?
"Seeing the kids grow into confident individuals."
What You Can Count On
What does making someone feel welcome mean to you?
"It means so much. Seeing kids that know my name and are happy to see me is something that I don't take for granted."
Personal values that guide how you treat people?
"Treat others how you'd want to be treated."
What can our community count on you for every day?
"Always smiling and being there for the kiddos."
A Blur Farewell
Farewell, Ren
Front Desk · Smoke Jumper · Off to UC Davis
"Making sure he leaves campus-ready." — Will
Some people walk into a school and just fit. Ren was one of those people. He first showed up last summer as our Smoke Jumper — the person who steps in when the head instructor is unavailable and keeps everything running smoothly. He did it without hesitation and without missing a beat.
That fall, Ren joined us full-time at the front desk while Will was deep in advanced training under Tony Blauer and his masters — studying the SPEAR System and pursuing his master's in counseling. Ren held things down. He greeted families, kept the energy right, and made sure every kid who walked through that door felt seen.
In just over a year, Ren became part of the fabric of this school. He's now heading off to UC Davis — and we couldn't be prouder. The good news? He's not disappearing. Ren will still be a part of the Blur family, helping manage and staying connected even from a distance.
We made sure he didn't leave without a proper self-defense send-off first. Safe travels, Ren. You'll always have a home on these mats.
Student of the Month
James Fitzgerald
Student of the Month · June 2026 · Purple Belt
James with his Student of the Month plaque · August 2026
James putting in the work on the mat
Every Saturday I see James, I can tell he's in class not just by his presence, but by his voice. He embodies what true leadership should be: enthusiasm when he is on the mat, coachable so we can spotlight what kids should be doing, and overcoming challenges when they come along.
Even at summer camp, James embodied what we teach at our school. He had a tough day at camp getting blasted with a dodgeball to the head. He became scared about playing games on the mat when he couldn't predict what could happen. But our school teaches you how to use fear as fuel, and that's exactly what he did.
He practiced greater awareness, accepted that sometimes when we have fun, the unexpected happens, and overcame his fear. He went from wearing a helmet during dodgeball to being right back to trusting his instincts — and the flinch — as we practice in class.
That's why he earned our June Student of the Month. Congratulations, James!
From the Head Instructor
What Our Dragon
Stands For
The philosophy behind our new dragon shirt design · by Will
At Blur, we are not trying to become the Chinese dragon. We are fighting it.
The dragon represents the encounter that feels hopeless. It is the crisis that seems too dangerous, too overwhelming, or simply impossible to survive. It is the moment when there is no perfect technique, no easy escape, and no guarantee that everything will be okay.
Facing the dragon means refusing to give in to despair. It means accepting the reality of the situation without surrendering to it.
You may be afraid. You may feel outmatched. You may not believe you can win. But you decide that fear will not make the choice for you. You accept what is happening, and you use that fear to fuel your actions.
That is what makes Blur different from many other martial arts schools. We are not training students to believe they are invincible. We are preparing them for the moment when they know they are not — and teaching them that they can still choose to act.
A martial arts parable helps explain why.
A student once asked his master, "Which animal is the most dangerous?"
The master thought for a moment.
"The tiger is powerful. The snake is deceptive. The leopard is fast. Each is dangerous in its own way."
"Then which is the most dangerous?" the student asked.
"The human."
The student looked confused. "The human? Why?"
"Because a human is not limited to one nature. A human can use strength, speed, deception, tools, surprise, planning, and violence. And when one approach fails, a human can change."
The student asked, "Then how do I train for something like that?"
The master replied:
"Stop training as though you are fighting animals. Study how humans actually behave under stress and violence. Then train your nervous system for that reality."
That is the dragon.
The moment when the situation feels bigger than you, when your fear tells you there is no way out, and when you must still decide what happens next.
Facing the dragon means accepting what is happening — and choosing to fight for safety anyway.
Upcoming Events
What's Coming Up
AUG
15
Black Belt Candidates · 1–4 PM
Shugyo — Black & Jr. Black Candidates
The final crucible before testing. Black Belt and Junior Black Belt candidates report for Shugyo on August 15th, 1–4 PM. This is where champions are made.
AUG
19
Belt Testing Day
Belt Testing — No Regular Classes
August 19th is Belt Testing Day. There will be no regular classes. Come cheer on your fellow students as they step up and earn their next rank.
AUG
22
Community Celebration · 5–7 PM
The Last Summer Hurrah
Send summer off right. Join us August 22nd from 5–7 PM for our end-of-summer community celebration. Bring the whole family — this one is for everyone.
AUG
👻
Planning Meetings
Haunted House — Planning Begins
Haunted House planning meetings are kicking off in August. Dates TBD — if you want to help build something epic for the community, watch for the announcement.
SEP
5
Invite Only · 2 PM
Kung Fu Performance Team
September 5th at 2 PM — invite only. If you've received an invitation, this is your moment. Performance team spots are earned, not given.
NOV
🦃
Coming in November
Annual Turkey Hunt
The Turkey Hunt is coming back in November. Details and date to be announced — but start getting ready. This is a Blur tradition.
Dates and details will be updated as they are confirmed. Follow us on social media or check back here for the latest.
Blur Martial Arts · 4S Ranch, San Diego
From Fear to Focus
10890 Thornmint Road, Suite B · 858-462-5421
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