A Black Belt Way of Life Podcast By New York Black Belt Center cover art

A Black Belt Way of Life

A Black Belt Way of Life

By: New York Black Belt Center
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About this listen

The most important lesson Master Joseph Lupo Jr. received from his father was, "A black belt is worn around your heart, never your waist." This quote became the foundation that Master Joe lives by, and the basis for his show. Master Joe is a sixth-degree Taekwondo black belt and owner of the New York Black Belt Center in Queens, NY since 2010. With over four decades of knowledge and insight, Master Joe interviews guests in and around the martial arts world, sharing their life experiences and philosophies to motivate listeners to become a black belt in whatever path they walk.Copyright 2025 New York Black Belt Center Hygiene & Healthy Living Philosophy Social Sciences
Episodes
  • The Dojang Diaries: Growing Up in Old School Martial Arts with Master Alana Bari
    Jun 19 2025

    In 1991 Grandmaster Joseph Lupo Sr. alongside Grandmaster Moonsung Lee, opened the Moon S. Lee Taekwondo Institute in Whitestone, Queens, New York. Before the school was even officially open, a young teenage girl would walk in with her father to get some info on the new school in the neighborhood. Upon speaking to GM Joe, a decision was made immediately that this was where she wanted to continue her Taekwondo training. Quickly bonds were formed, Taekwondo families created, passion for the art was ingrained in our hearts through blood, sweat, tears, and wacks with the bamboo stick. Through rigorous training Alana learned how to handle her toughest opponent, life. Thirty Four years later, now a 4th Degree Master in the art, Alana Bari is kicking and punching and practicing the art she fell in love with from Grandmaster Joseph Lupo Sr.'s teachings, a man that inspired her and a generation of Martial Artists.

    For everything BBWOL, click the links below -

    YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

    Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=3a391a3d9829475b

    Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life

    Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

    Production Company - Press Record Studios -https://pressrecordstudios.com


    Official Apparel Company - Best Martial Arts/Mooto USA - https://bestma.us

    Official Show Sponsor - Mr. Joseph Ferone - Weichert Realty - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny?msockid=15a1f336eb646c6127ffe692ea7d6d3e

    KickFit Taekwondo Shoes - https://kickfit.us - Use code BBWOL at checkout for a discount

    New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org

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    52 mins
  • "Taekwondo Saved My Life" - How Cy Zamani Defeated Cancer & Grief
    Jun 5 2025

    Born in New York, raised in California, now based out of Georgetown, Texas, Master Cy Zamani has passed his fair share of ups and downs in life. The one constant that has always pulled him through the hardest of moments is Taekwondo. From the tragic loss of his father, and later his daughter, to a cancer diagnosis, the positivity that Taekwondo brought out in his life pulled him through. Three decades of Taekwondo competition helped Cy Zamani battle his toughest tests, inside and outside the ring. Now he pays it forward to the future generations of athletes in Taekwondo. His story is one of perseverance and loyalty to his craft.

    For everything, A Black Belt Way of Life click the links below

    • YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife
    • Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=d9af64eb3587433d
    • Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501
    • Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life


    • BBWOL Show Producer - Press Record Studios - https://pressrecordstudios.com
    • Show Sponsor - https://www.zillow.com/profile/josephferoneny
    • Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us
    • New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org


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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Dramatic Weight Loss Transformation Through Taekwondo - Master Carlos Villanueva
    May 21 2025

    Master Carlos Villanueva, a 4th Dan Black Belt certified under the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo) and the New York Black Belt Center, has been a lifelong Taekwondo practitioner under his father, Master Luis Villanueva. Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, his culinary career brought him to the lights of New York City. Here, he found a second home under Master Joseph Lupo Jr. and Master John Rodriguez at the NYBBC. It was a very patient and thorough search for the right Taekwondo school. But once found, he knew he had found the right spot in the Team Wolfpack community. It was not easy; the NYBBC's style of training is very tough both on the mind and physically. At 250 lbs, Carlos knew he had to make a change, not only to better his Taekwondo performance in competition, but for himself, for the betterment of his life. As a certified executive chef, he could use his extensive culinary skills to match his high-level Taekwondo work ethic to kick-start his weight loss and do all this while being a Type 1 diabetic. He made it happen with no easy task, but with a traditional old-school Taekwondo mindset where giving up is not an option. This episode was filmed live at the New York Black Belt Center during the East Coast USA Masters Team seminar. With a live studio audience present and eager to ask Master Carlos about his tremendous journey.

    For everything A Black Belt Way of Life Podcast click below

    YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@blackbeltwayoflife

    Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/276fCOHsnHb8YcakObQqWP?si=636d70b999654b20

    Apple Podcasts - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a-black-belt-way-of-life/id1769633501

    Amazon Music - https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/9d314fb1-51bb-4232-b3ab-60247520f343/a-black-belt-way-of-life


    Producers - http://pressrecordstudios.com


    Official Apparel Company - https://bestma.us

    Official Sponsor - https://joseph-ferone.tmt.realty.com

    Kickfit Taekwondo shoes - use promo code BBWOL at check out for a discount - https://kickfit.us

    New York Black Belt Center - https://nybbc.org



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    42 mins
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