“It Is Always Good To Study Those Who Have Went Before You” 5 Insider secrets with Martial Arts Champion Kato Sherman and Marco Derhy.

“It is always good to study those who have went before you. Gather as much information as you can on how others who were in your shoes, were able to move forward by making the needed connections that propelled their business into the market. This will be helpful to try to implement some of these ideas into your marketing plan after you’ve adjusted these ideas to your product.”

I had the pleasure to interview Kato Sherman. Kato is the Founder/Owner of Kato San Security, a company that provides education on how to live a safer and healthier life. Kato never simply provided security and personal training, but, he taught others how to protect themselves and how to live longer lives through day-to-day security and health improvements. He is the first person to create a company reflecting how obvious it is that “security” and “health” are interdependent.

Thank you so much for doing this with us! What is your “backstory”?

I was born and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. My interests were always in helping other people. I saw that no matter where I went, every group of people, regardless of race, age or religion, had similar problems, some of which they did not have a solution for. Either they wanted to be more attractive, more educated, or the abilities that would enable them to compete with someone who they revered. But as much as they would want these attributes, in many cases, they were totally lost when it came to knowing the ways of attaining them. They left with a feeling of inferiority because they didn’t have these particular skills. I identified two areas in which many of them needed assistance.

They needed someone to show them how to build the discipline and willpower necessary to attain them. But the question was always, “How ?” I know that I often came across a problem that needed to be resolved, and I had to deal with the same issues. I would look at the lifestyles of those who were really focused on what they wanted and how they went out and made their dreams a reality. I realized that two subjects that I enjoyed were security and health. I started studying both subjects until I was well-versed in both topics; I then started protecting others and teaching them how to live a more enjoyable life!

Can you share the funniest or most interesting story that happened to you since you started your company?

It is always interesting to see people’s faces when I enlighten them on how weak their security and health are. People suffer too many breaches of their private information and attacks on their person, and many chronic health issues, and they don’t know how to decrease these problems in most cases. When they find out the mistakes they were making daily, they are always surprised and sometimes embarrassed that they never noticed these simple things that could have relieved them of many hardships.

What do you think makes your company stand out? Can you share a story?

My company’s focus is teaching others that your health is vitally important but has less meaning if you do not live in a safe environment. If your safety is breached, what good is your health if you will not live long enough to enjoy it?

In addition, if you have excellent security, however, you do not enjoy the best of health, then what good is your feeling of security when within your “safety zone” you are experiencing terrible health problems that make life less enjoyable?

None of us can achieve success without some help along the way. Is there a particular person who you are grateful towards who helped get you to where you are? Can you share a story?

I have a supportive family that taught me at a young age that if I apply myself, I could accomplish just about anything I wished. I was raised to study well and apply myself to develop my skills; therefore, I thank God for my family.

Outside of my family, one of the most outstanding people in this category was Bruce Lee. He had to be one of the most disciplined individuals that there has ever been. He wanted to have a body that could do extraordinary things, and he applied himself to a very intense regimen until he had attained his goal. I said to myself, “Maybe the martial arts could do the same for me.” Therefore I started my practice at the age of eleven. After a short time, there was nothing that you could tell me that I couldn’t do. Any feat seemed attainable. I was pleased with the progress that I was making, through the question remained whether what worked for me would also work for others. Would I be able to teach others how to bring out the best in themselves? At that point, I started instructing others on the martial arts disciplines, meditation, and breathing exercises that teach the calming of the mind. I also taught better ways of eating, and living, then, believe it or not….everyone said that they felt so much more self-assured about anything they were doing. Whether I dealt with adults or children, the effects of teaching someone how to think positively and how to cultivate themselves toward a personal goal were remarkable. I decided to continue to use my bodyguarding & martial arts knowledge and skills to help others also.

Two-finger push ups

Are you working on any exciting projects now?

Yes, I am working towards two infomercial DVDs, and one will be the first of its kind. My first DVD teaches all of the aspects of security. I created my DVD concept long before 9/11 because I realized the importance of upgrading security in general. There are too many security weaknesses just about everywhere, and I knew it was necessary to teach others to live more safely. A video that teaches personal security in the way I have developed is unique and has no predecessor.

The second video teaches all aspects of health and how to improve it. Once the public understands how their body works in more detail and its relationship to nutrition and exercising, they will be more motivated to start applying these principles.

My DVDs will resolve issues other infomercials have. Not only that my security DVD is the first of its kind, but my health video is covering what all other trainers and infomercials have overlooked. That subject is the strengthening of the mind, discipline, and self-esteem. This is why we see so many people having breakdowns, including many celebrities. It is also why many people can not apply the teachings of better eating or an exercise program. No one has taught how to strengthen a person’s discipline and willpower. Without a strong mind, you cannot apply a strong focus to anything in life. I will help to strengthen people from the inside out!

How have you used your success to bring goodness to the world?

I have helped thousands of people to live safer and healthier lives either in person or via my articles that teach a wealth of information on these two topics on social media (especially LinkedIn). Now, I am seeking investors to take these teachings to the next level via television. I know millions of people (especially women and children) will be helped with these DVDs. What better gift can you give someone than a secure and healthy life for themselves and their families?

Do you have a favorite book that made a deep impact on your life? Can you share a story?

I would have to say books, in general, have had a tremendous impact. I have read many books regarding security, investigation, protection, health, anatomy, nutrition, and related topics to improve the mind and body. Gathering and researching information was always enjoyable, and I continue to study everything I can make time for.

What are your “5 things I wish someone told me before I started my company,” and why? Please share a story or example for each.

1. The length of time it may take. Many stories are written of the quick overnight successes that come about (and they do happen), but fewer. One must be prepared to continue with relentless focus and have the tenacity to persevere no matter how long it takes to make your dream a reality.

It may not be easy to get others to see and understand your dream the way you do. I have had many challenging moments trying to make someone else understand my vision and the importance of my company. Not everyone concentrates on whatever you are offering, even though it may be necessary. Many people take the most basic things for granted. You have to create a way that allows them to see the importance of what you are doing.

1. You must be flexible regarding the way you envisioned your projects would come to fruition. Many paths may lead to the same result, and if you focus only on one way or path, you may stagnate, which will not allow your project to move forward.
2. Take a break at times to refresh your mind. After many years of marketing your business with less success than you wished to happen, it is good to take a break completely to gather additional ideas and maybe try to see things from the outside looking in. If you are too wrapped up in your business, you may never see a better way of doing things or noticed a mistake you are making.
3. It is always good to study those who have gone before you. Gather as much information as you can on how others in your shoes could move forward by making the needed connections that propelled their business into the market. This will be helpful to try to implement some of these ideas into your marketing plan after you’ve adjusted these ideas to your product.

Some of the biggest names in Business, VC funding, Sports, and Entertainment read this column. Is there a person in the world or the US with whom you would love to have a private breakfast or lunch, and why? They might see this. :-)

I believe Michael Jordan would be a top choice but possibly not for the reasons some may expect. What I like about what Michael did goes far beyond the basketball skills. Michael first honed his craft, established a specific persona, and started building his brand in the market. He did this so well that several years after he has played the sport of basketball, people continue to wear his shirts, shoes, and other apparel, and his name is still spoken daily. Most entrepreneurs want to happen with their name and brand, to turn it into a legacy.

This was very inspiring. Thank you so much for joining us!