The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk 1

Robert Clyne, host and creator of “The Art of Fighting”, conducts an in depth interview with Antonio Graceffo, the Monk from Brooklyn. Beginning with his childhood in New York and tracing his family move to Tennessee. Antonio talks about his early years and how he first got into martial arts. In this extremely candid interview Antonio talks about his family and the events of his childhood which set the stage for his years of wandering and fighting.

The interview is at times both humorous and painful, as Antonio talks about his past, his family, and his early struggles to complete his education and make good on the promises made to his deceased mother and grandparents.

“As immigrant children, we have it drilled into our heads. We know that grandma and grandpa sacrificed so we could be born in this country.” By succeeding in life, we can justify their suffering and poverty.

H. David Collins, of the American School of Empty Hand Fighting (ASEF) in Blountville, Tennessee was Antonio’s first martial arts teacher, the man who taught Antonio to fight and set the stage for his future adventures. Antonio’s grandmother was his first language teacher, who developed Antonio’s love of foreign languages and helped cultivate his interest in other countries and cultures.

Down and out, kicked out of college, having no money, no job skills and seemingly no future, a random meeting with a man who had been shot in the leg pirates eventually turned Antonio’s life around. Through the merchant marines and some help from his siblings, he finished college, in Germany, and went on to a professional career.

After leaving a successful career in America, Antonio embarked on his martial arts odyssey, which, at the time of this writing, has been going for more than eight years.

“In retrospect, the signs were there. It was obvious I was going to do something like this. And I think both my grandmother and David Collins predicted it.”

Watch, The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Parts 1 – 8.

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kleow4PEh_k

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 2

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_t_zVi9IH0Q

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 3

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRODmkT6w5A

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 4

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkywKMP-cMk

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 5

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVAPb9FoR48

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 6

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxvX3nEhp_M

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 7

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEB8ikQ2y7k

The Art of Fighting: Brooklyn Monk Part 8

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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AB3hSXAy3TI

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