Professor Christopher N. Geary                       (Page 1)

"If you hate your enemies it will eat you up inside and they will conquer. Never ask anyone what they think of you, the world is full of hypocrites and you cannot win. Your faults will be theirs and your greatness's will be their envy. Ask what do you think and want of yourself. Only then will you sit on the highest mountain, adapted, never looking back, justifying your life to no one and doing whatever it takes until your destiny is reveled."

The life of Christopher N. Geary encompasses many amazing achievements. He was the first to bring the art of Kempo/Kenpo to Omaha. He was teaching by age 23 and by age 27 his success as an instructor, martial artist and businessman helped him begin to create a network of independently owned and operated martial arts schools. Geary is part of a lineage that dates back to the Japanese Samurai and the monks of the Shaolin Temple in China (525 A.D.)

"Geary is a great martial artist and technician," Hanshi Angel says, "He has a good mind for business and is devoted to the students and the furthering of martial arts."

Professor Geary became a master in the martial arts at age 31 with the rank of Godan (5th degree black belt) and the title of Shihan (Master, Teacher of Teachers). He is one of a select few people in the world to have been tested and promoted to the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) in not one but three styles of martial arts. This sort of feat traditionally takes 20 years of intensive study and practice in one system. He has done it in only 10 and in three styles at age 33! This is an astounding personal achievement. Many martial arts experts become adept at one style. Professor Geary is an expert three times over. Clearly, he dedicates himself to achieving perfection in whatever he does. Professor Geary's single-minded pursuit of excellence was recognized once again on September 1, 2006, when he became the youngest person in the United States to attain the rank of 10th-degree black belt, the highest black belt ranking in the martial arts.

This quality was recognized in 2003 when the International Martial Arts Hall of Fame named him Master Instructor of the Year.

And he has gifted Omaha with the most beautiful yet rigorous Karate schools in the Midwest. An accomplished martial artist, Professor Geary is as approachable as he is skilled. He answers his own phone at the school. He greets all new students and welcomes them to the dojo. He teaches his own classes.

His students, from the age of 3 to 63, have the opportunity to learn from one of the best.

The story of Christopher Nathan Geary begins in Des Moines, Iowa, where he was born June 8, 1971. In October 1978 he and his mother Belinda moved to Omaha to the historic Field Club area, a special place where he would later begin teaching.

His stepfather, Eric Barntsen, says that while growing up in Omaha, "Christopher dabbled in things. He tried different sports, but they were team sports and I think he really only wanted to compete with himself."

As a teenager, Geary's interest in martial arts first manifested itself when he walked 10 miles from his home to a movie theater in Bellevue to see a Jean-Claude Van Damme movie.

A week after graduating high school in 1990, Geary left for the U.S. Marine Corps. He briefly studied Tae Kwon Do in Oakland, Calif., but felt the style was oriented towards children. The special flavor he sought was lacking.

Eventually stationed at Camp Pendleton near San Clemente, Calif., he found a martial arts school a couple of miles from base. While on leave in Omaha, he decided that upon his return to California, he would visit that Kempo school.

It was a decision that would change the course of his life forever.

His first Kempo instructor was Sensei Farzin Omidvar, a Sandan (3rd degree black belt). A combination of the environment, the instruction, the technique itself, and his own motivation and natural skill helped Professor Geary excel.

"Started Kenpo yesterday, martial arts training in San Clemente. It's very interesting but it will take a lot of hard work and concentration on my part. Just remember consistency..." Diary entry.

After his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps, he returned to Omaha to share with his home community the knowledge and treasures of Kempo. He began teaching on June 29, 1994 at the Field Club Elementary Schoolyard, becoming the first to bring the art of Kempo/Kenpo to the city. He was 23.

Since that day, Professor Geary has been responsible for exposing thousands of people in the Omaha metro area, from Omaha police officers, doctors and three mayors, to the art of Kempo/Kenpo Karate.

Upon his return to Omaha, he sought out 10th degree black belt Professor Nick Cerio and was awarded his first certificate of Dan rank for Shodan (1st degree black belt). Shortly thereafter, Professor Cerio acknowledged Geary as a Sensei (Instructor). (Read an article on this in the March 1996 issue of the official magazine of Nick Cerio's International Martial Arts Association, "The State of the Arts.")

On October 1, 2002, Professor Geary received the title of Shihan (Master, Teacher of Teachers) from Hanshi Angel. Hanshi Angel promoted Geary to the rank of Rokudan (6th degree black belt) on August 27, 2003 in the art of Christopher N. Geary's Shaolin Ch'uan Fa (Kempo).

In 2003, he stepped up preparations for opening schools outside the state of Nebraska. Professor Geary personally oversees all black belt promotions from the corporate headquarters at 180th & Pacific Street in Omaha.

On August 30, 2003, he received the World Head of Family Sokeship Council International Martial Arts Hall of Fame Master Instructor of the Year award, earned for his accomplishments in the art of Shaolin Kempo. The prestigious international martial arts grandmasters council presented the award at the World Head of Family Sokeship Council's 10th anniversary celebration in Orlando, Fla. The 2003 International Martial Arts Achievement Awards.

Nomination from a council member, which came from Hanshi Angel, is the only way to be considered for any World Head of Family Sokeship Council award. To read more please visit the Winter 2003 NCMA Newsletter.