Why Me?

Sensei Dave Armstrong was a product of a broken family, torn apart by the tragic loss of his mother at the age of 13, leading to an early life in foster care, and youth correction facilities. As an “at-risk” youth and a “product” of the inner-city educational system, young Sensei Dave was predestined to run with gangs, NOT graduate high school and be dead or in jail by the age of 18. After his mother passed away, Sensei Dave lost all contact with his family, and was in and out of boy’s homes, juvenile hall, and foster homes in San Bernardino, California, for over 5 years. BUT…along the way, he was influenced by two AMAZING people; his CASA, Ron Barnick, an Air Force pilot, and Sensei Otto Johnson, Dave's first Martial Arts Instructor. Without their mentoring, Sensei Dave Armstrong would not have been able to mentor, guide, help, and motivate hundreds, if not thousands of young people, mentors, foster parents, and board members. This book is intended to help and motivate individuals working with our youth as foster parents, teachers, ministers, youth correctional officers, judges, attorneys, social workers, and the young people with whom they are working. I hope my story helps you see that despite some of the situations “life” may throw at us…there is ALWAYS a way. About David Armstrong Sensei Dave now is retired after 24 years of service to our country in the United States Air Force. He has also sat on the Board of Directors as Vice President for non-profit organizations, created his own Martial Arts Mentoring program, and owned three martial arts schools (Faith Martial Arts Inc.) in the United States. As a U.S. Air Force Veteran, Sensei Dave has been able to travel and see the world, spreading his positive and motivational personality from country to country. Sensei Dave is living in Greece, where he is also an Executive/Leadership Life Coach and is currently developing his own Life Coaching (COACH COACHING) Program to help others become AMAZING Life Coaches. Sensei Dave seems to never stop moving and wanting to help and motivate people! He has been able to influence so many people, young and old, in his lifetime. He wishes to continue to help and spread HOPE.