Throughout my career – really, throughout my life – I’ve been given the same choice over and over again: do what’s right, or do what’s easy. And every single time, the right choice has been the harder one.

I’ve had plenty of opportunities to choose “success.” But success always came with a cost. That cost was my integrity – and that’s something I’ve never been willing to sell.

While I was with Professor Presas, I was sometimes labeled a troublemaker. Not because I caused problems, but because I stood up for people who couldn’t stand up for themselves – people who were being bullied by those in higher positions. I never apologized for that, and I never will.

After Professor passed away, I was offered multiple opportunities to collaborate with other organizations – arrangements that, frankly, could have been very profitable. But many of those offers required compromises: selling rank, handing out promotions like candy, ignoring standards, and becoming part of what is essentially a belt factory. That’s not who I am.

The truth is, for this art to truly succeed and move into future generations with authenticity and respect in the wider martial arts world, it needs to be built on integrity. That’s why I stand by my principles and do what I consider the right thing, even when it’s the hard thing. Sometimes that means standing against the tide.

Now, don’t misunderstand me. As a martial arts professional, I’ll do seminars for just about anyone who pays my fee. Teaching a seminar, however, is not the same thing as issuing rank. Promotion is different. Rank comes from belonging to my tribe.

Have I sat on boards for belt tests? Yes.

Have I signed diplomas? Yes.

But when I do, I’m signing as a witness, not as an authority executing the grade. If it’s not on my paper, I’m not issuing the rank. My signature in those cases is no different than an autograph—acknowledging what I observed, not endorsing the promotion.

I watched Professor Presas do the same thing. People would get upset seeing him sign a diploma when the candidates didn’t perform at his level. But he made it clear: if it didn’t have his seal or his diploma, it wasn’t official. I’ve adopted that mindset. I know the difference between giving someone an autograph and formally endorsing a promotion or authority.

Those who know me already understand this. Those who don’t – that’s on them.

I’ll continue to stand for integrity and truth. And if that makes me a troublemaker, then so be it.

Datu Tim Hartman

Modern Arnis’ Tribal Chief

#integrity #success #modernarnis #martialarts #filipinomartialarts