There are certain moments in the life of a martial arts academy that remind you exactly why you chose this path. This past Tuesday, July 21, 2026, was one of those moments as we had the incredible honor of promoting Forest Burkhart to the rank of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt.
While a black belt is often viewed as the destination, those of us who have spent years on the mats know that it is really a reflection of the journey. It represents thousands of classes, countless repetitions, difficult training sessions, victories, setbacks, and the decision to keep showing up even when life gets busy. A black belt cannot be bought, rushed, or wished into existence. It is earned through consistency, humility, and perseverance.
If you’ve spent any amount of time at Otomi Martial Arts, then you’ve probably had the opportunity to meet Forest. And if you have, you’ve likely experienced exactly what makes him so special.
Forest has always been one of the finest examples of what we hope our students become. He is the kind of person who quietly leads by example rather than by seeking attention. He is always willing to help a new student feel welcome, always ready to encourage a teammate, and always treats everyone with genuine kindness and respect. Whether he’s training alongside a brand-new beginner or one of our most experienced students, his attitude never changes. He simply shows up, works hard, and makes everyone around him better.
Forest, I couldn’t be prouder of you. Watching you reach this milestone has been one of the great privileges of my career as an instructor. Thank you for your loyalty to Otomi Martial Arts, for the countless ways you’ve helped your teammates, and for the example you’ve set for every student who walks through our doors. Your black belt is well deserved, and I have no doubt that your greatest contributions to our academy are still ahead of you.
On behalf of every coach, teammate, student, and family here at Otomi Martial Arts, congratulations. We are honored to call you our teammate, our friend, and now, officially, one of our black belts.
The journey doesn’t end here—it simply begins a new chapter.
Congratulations, Forest. We are all incredibly proud of you.
