Does it really matter how many degrees of Black Belt one has attained,
or how many title belts and trophies one has won?
Does this make us any better or does it only mark a path along our life's journey?

"What we accomplished in our past has created who we are. But in no way should our past accomplishments soley define who we have become today. We are not what we were... We are not our accomplishments... However, we are who we have become from them and hopefully we have become something greater than our past accomplishments ever were..." Steve Fossum

How he got to here...

IKF and ISCF World President and Master Sensei Steve Fossum use to run one of the largest martial arts schools in the Nation. It was 3 levels and over 17,000 square feet in size with over 400 students. However, the growth of the IKF as well as eventually the ISCF forced him to make a decision as to his time and efforts.

The IKF experienced its main growth between 1997 and 1999 after the websites, www.IKFKickboxing.com and www.ISCFMMA.com were created. Because of this growth, Mr. Fossum has an intense travel schedule and is on the road a lot, traveling to IKF and ISCF events around the world. From this growth, Mr. Fossum was forced to make a decision as to where his time, energy and efforts would best be utilized. Lucky for all of us in the IKF and ISCF he choose the path of the IKF and the ISCF.

However, his choice was not because he didn't like teaching martial arts. Instead it was also due to the loss of desire to compete competitively with what many of us know as "The Black Belt Factory Schools" or McDojos. When he first opened his school in Newcastle it was his 12th martial arts school. His competition was with 4 good schools in a 10 mile radius. By the time he closed his commercial karate school 8 years later in 1998, 11 schools had opened up within that 10 mile radius of his offering free uniforms, quick belt promotions, easy black belts and many more marketing incentives for new students to sign-up. If he wanted to compete with them he had to face the facts. Offer quicker belt promotions, make the requirements much easier and make black belt a lot easier. It was a move he didn't want to make. So in December of 1998 he choose to close his commercially operated karate school and only teach a select few private students.

After several changes around the facility, he reopened in June of 1999 as a Private Club that was 11,000 square feet in size. The facility would be the new home for Ringside Gym, (www.ringsidegym.com) operated by former IKF Champion Greg Kirkpatrick teaching both Kickboxing & Boxing.

Also in the facility was Mr. Fossum's top ranking System 5 Student, Conrad Woodall who opened his own commercial school, Woodall's Self Defense & Fitness.

Also in the facility is a chiropractor office operated by one of Fossum's former students, Dr. Bill Gillispie. The facility is also the new home and offices for the IKF and ISCF. As far as the karate program went, Fossum still teaches a select few of his higher belts weekly.

His decision to focus on the IKF was one of the greatest decisions of his life. As World President of the IKF since 1992, he and his worldwide associates have built the IKF which sanctions the sport of kickboxing on every continent around the world. This includes overseeing fighters, trainers, promoters, officials and events.

As World President of the ISCF since 1999, with the help of former ISCF World Advisor Mike Carlson, they built the ISCF into the only non promoting sanctioning body for mixed martial arts in the world today.

TRAINING

Mr. Fossum started his martial arts training in 1976 in Tae Kwon Do. He later studied Shotokan, an American freestyle known as System 5 Combat Karate and a military system known as STIHC (Pronounced Sti-Hick, Special Training In Hand to Hand Combat.) Other styles he has trained in include Kenpo, JuJitsu and Aikido. Today he holds ranks in several martial art styles including Black Belt ranks in 4 different styles of martial arts. He has also won numerous titles in karate point fighting, full contact kickboxing and hand to hand combat competition. He's been operating a martial arts school since 1982.

• TIMELINE
  • JUNE, 1976:
    • First started formal karate training - American Tae Kwon Do. Went on to achieve a 2nd degree Black Belt in this style.
      
      
  • MAY, 1977:
    • Begin training of Shotokan karate along with Tae Kwon Do. Went on to achieved the rank of Shodan in December of 1999. (1st degree Black Belt) in this style.)
      
      
  • APRIL, 1978:
    • Achieved 1st of 2 Degrees of Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do.
      
      
  • JANUARY, 1979:
    • Started training in System 5 Combat Karate.
      
      
  • MARCH, 1979:
    • Begin training in Full Contact Kickboxing.
      
      
  • DECEMBER, 1979:
    • Achieved Shodan in Shotokan Karate.
      
      
  • APRIL, 1980:
    • Begin training in STIHC (Special Training In Hand To Hand Combat)
      
      
  • MARCH, 1981:
    • Achieved 1st Black Belt in System 5 Combat Karate. Went on to achieve *Masters Black Belt Rank (9th Degree) in this style and continues to teach this style today.
      • (*) In System 5 Combat Karate, a Masters Rank is very different than in "Traditional Karate". System 5 Combat Karate is NOT a followed path of traditional karate with traditional aspects such as Katas and Forms. Although many of the movements and techniques are exact movements as one would learn in traditional karate (side kick, pivot punch etc.) it is more like attaining a certification in a specialized combat course. This is mainly due to the testing and attaining the material of the system which is tested by a hands on practical application method that must be proven in active combat drills as opposed to standing movement of single techniques. Better put, "It must be experienced in order to be known." For words alone, as many things, cannot describe it.
        
        
  • JUNE, 1984:
    • Achieved civilian certification for Drill Instructor for STIHC.

• COMPETITION
  • Between 1977 and 1985, Sensei Steve Fossum along with ll other individuals competed in a league that was not sanctioned or licensed by any state athletic commission. The matches they participated in were held on military bases. Although he was not in the military himself, he was able to compete in many of the military competitions due to the fact that he was a training assistant to his martial arts instructor during this time who was a special forces military instructor. Many of the matches were held before, during or after training of special tactics groups. He and all ll other team members agreed not to use their competition achievements or training for financial gain or prestige for 5 years after their last competition. The team was known as the "HEADHUNTERS".
  • While in this league, he won various titles (State, Regional, National and International) in all 3 International divisions in the "Open Heavyweight Class" (180 lbs. and up) Fighting between 185-190 lbs. The fighting divisions were Semi Contact Point Sparring, Full Contact Kickboxing and Hand to Hand Combat Training where the participants were judged by their speed and skill in 5 different categories.(Weapons Defense, Takedowns/Throws, Group Combat, Combat Fighting and Power/Speed Combinations)
    
    
• ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  Martial Arts Related
  • 1982: Opened first of what would be 11 karate schools. Auburn CA. USA.
    
    
  • 1982: Designed "ROLLING TIGERS". Self Defense system for the wheelchair bound.
    
    
  • 1982: Formed an award winning karate demonstration team known as "THE FALL GUYS".
    
    
  • 1985: Developed CMT Certification training for Military, Law Enforcement & Security: Control Movements & Takedowns.
    
    
  • 1985: Begin teaching STIHC solo to the USMC with USMC Staff Sgt. Mike Woods.
    
    
  • 1987: Hosted Cable TV show-"SURVIVAL SELF DEFENSE".
    
    
  • 1986: Begin working with the Placer County Child Assault Prevention Program. Instructing practical skills self defense at schools throughout California and Nevada.
    
    
  • 1987: Designed "Motivation Corporation" A motivational company giving seminars Nationwide on self esteem, self confidence, motivation etc. Tour Title: "Victory By Knockout!" Knockout the negatives in your life and focus on the positives.
    
    
  • 1989: Created Dynamic Woman's Self Defense Program: "Women Making A Stand!" Instructed it to grade schools, high schools, colleges, business, groups and organizations around the USA. Featured on all major TV Networks.
    
    
  • 1990: Consolidated 3 martial arts schools into the Largest training center in Northern California. Newcastle, Over 10,000 sq. ft. in size.
    
    
  • 1991: Expanded new training center to over 17,500 sq. ft. Said to be the largest on the West Coast and one of the largest in the Nation: by Black Belt and Inside Kung Fu magazines.
    
    
  • 1992: Became a licensed promoter and matchmaker of kickboxing events in California through the State of California Athletic Commission.
    
    
  • 1992: Co-Founded the IKF - International Kickboxing Federation with Dan Stell. An amateur and professional kickboxing sanctioning body organizing and sanctioning kickboxing worldwide.
    
    
  • 1993: Appointed to the CA State Athletic Commissions "Martial Arts Advisory Board".
    
    
  • 1993: Wrote 2 Self Defense Books: 10 Magical Movement Points & 10 Best Weapons of the Body.
    
    
  • 1994: Wrote, Produced, Directed and hosted TV Program, "The World Of Martial Arts" which ran a successful 14 episodes.
    
    
  • 1997: Created IKF Website with Yancey Gillies.
    
    
  • 1998: Opened new 11,000 square foot facility for Ringside Gym, Foothill Self Defense, and of course, the world offices of the IKF and later, the ISCF.
    
    
  • 1999: Co-Founded the now yearly IKF USA National Amateur Kickboxing tournament with Joe Taylor of Ringside Inc. The largest amateur kickboxing tournament in North America.
    
    
  • 1999: Took over as World President of the International Sport Combat Federation - ISCF.
    
    
  • 2001: Created the IKF Community Foundation.
    
    
  • November 2nd, 2002: It wouldn't last forever, and the long time bachlor, Steve Fossum married Toni Rae Foster. Details...
    
    
  • 2003: July, Inducted into the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society Hall of Fame.
    
    
  • 2003: July, Awarded the Title of Professor and the Degree of Ninth by the Executive Board and Constituents of the Hawaii Martial Arts International Society.
    
    
  • 2003: August, Created the IKF Kickboxing TV Program.
    
    
  • 2004: Expanded the yearly IKF USA National Amateur Kickboxing tournament to a North American format. It continues to be the largest amateur kickboxing tournament in North America hosting over 200 amateur kickboxers each year.
    
    
  • 2005: With a new remodel, he doubled the size of the IKF/ISCF Headquarters.
    
    
  • 2005: Announced official launch of Gladiator Gear with energy drinks and suppliments.
    
    
  • 2006: Expanded the IKF North American Amateur Kickboxing tournament to the IKF World Classic so that Amateur fighters from all over the world could attend. It continues to be the Largest Amateur Kickboxing Tournament in North America hosting over 200 amateur kickboxers each year.
    
    
  • August 15th, 2006: Mr. Fossum welcomed a new edition to the Fossum Family when his wife Toni gave birth to their daughter Fallyn Brooke. Details...
    
    
  • 2007: With the boom of Mixed Martial Arts, the ISCF became the Largest Sanctioning Body for Mixed Martial Arts in the World sanctioning over 300 Pro and Amateur events during 2006 alone.
    
    
  • 2007: Promoted the first ever Amateur Golden Gloves of Mixed Martial Arts. An OPEN Tournament much like the IKF Kickboxing Tournaments called the ISCF MMA World Classic, to determine true Amateur MMA worldf champions. The event was held at the US Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA in April of 2007.
    
    
  • 2007: MMA continues to grow as the ISCF sanctions over 400 Pro and Amateur events during 2007.
    
    
  • 2007: While MMA grows in North America, the IKF is successful in rebuilding IKF Europe with the work of the new IKF Team Europe which includes Neil Holden, Colin Payne, Carl Sams, Duncan Airlie James, Keith Nathan, Tricia McKeary, Dawn Willock, Steve Logan and Peter Foley.
    
    
  • 2007: Expanded the IAA Awards Company by changing the name to "International Fight Belts" - www.FightBelts.com and adding in new products.
    
    
  • 2007: Showing great success with IKF Point Kickboxing he promotes Johnny Davis to IKF - PKB President and creates the new www.IKFPKB.com web site.
    
    
  • 2008: With a successful year in sanctioning the MMA events of the IFL, which is the first ever Pro Mixed Martial Arts Team League, The ISCF creates the IBL, International Battle League. ( www.IBLFights.com )
    The IBL is an Amateur Mixed Martial Arts TEAM League.
    
    
    
    
    
    
• ADDITIONAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS
  • Actor and stuntman in martial arts programs.
  • Fight chorographer for martial arts scenes.
  • Set director for TV programs and live presentations.
  • Experienced as a Bouncer, Bodyguard and Bail Enforcement Officer.
  • Law Enforcement and security personal trainer in empty hand combat.
  • Motivational and self esteem speaker to schools, clubs and organizations.
  • Seminar instructor for topics such as self defense to motivation training.