WORKING -- Bob White

-- Story by Greg Risling

HE IS ...

Helping people break through their own barriers.

DEVOTION TO THE ARTS

Spending 20 years in any profession is a true testament to devotion,

especially when you can summon the strength to throw thousands of hip

tosses or thrust your firsts into a heavy bag.

Bob White has been instructing karate students at his Costa Mesa studio

for 20 years. Showing his longevity and commitment to the art of

self-defense, White has taught more than 10,000 students during that

time.

“This is a full-time job for me,” White said. “I’ve been able to be

successful, but I can always work on methods to be a better teacher.”

The sport of karate is more than a series of lunges, kicks and punches

for White. Karate is not only his career, it is his passion.

White, 50, was a student long before he was a teacher. He is gifted in

many sports, even playing baseball at Goldenwest College. However, karate

was White’s calling as he began winning many regional tournaments. He

credits his teacher, legend Ed Parker, for molding him into a

well-disciplined karate machine.

Those outside the karate world may not recognize Parker’s name, but he

was partially responsible for bringing back a resurgence in martial arts

during the 1970s and ‘80s. A flurry of martial art movies were made,

starring the likes of Bruce Lee and Chuck Norris.

A TRUE KARATE KID

White, who is a ninth-degree black belt, opened his first school in 1972

but moved eight years later to his studio on Victoria Street near the

Santa Ana River.

His methods were gaining attention. He worked with some of the Los

Angeles Rams football players, teaching them skills they could use on the

field. His attitude is infectious. Seven world champions are under his

tutelage.

White was even tapped for the first Karate Kid movie, where he played the

part of a referee. Although there was a wave of interest after the

karate-themed trilogy, White said martial arts is more popular now than

ever.

“It’s at an all-time high,” he said. “The need for it is still great.

There are many children and adults who want to learn the techniques.”

MIND OVER MATTER

The art of karate goes beyond the delicate balance, the precise movements

and the usual routine, White professed. Karate can make a shy person

confident and show a cocky student some humility. Karate is a sport that

goes beyond the physical parameters, he added.

“There are a lot of people who come here and are searching for a missing

piece of their life,” he said. “We hope they can find what they are

looking for. We have a lot of answers here.”

Martial arts has been a blessing for White. Besides winning numerous

trophies, he met his wife Kathleen while teaching. White’s unrelenting

motivation is educating others while continually learning himself.

“I’m blessed I get to do something I love and at the same time make a

living helping shape people’s lives,” White added. “One of the best parts

of my job is sharing my knowledge with others. Knowing that I can make a

difference in people’s lives is a tremendous feeling.”