Fernando Herrera

Hi everyone. I am Fernando Herrera "Mr. Herrera” and I have been practicing karate since 1998. I was promoted through the ranks in both Karate and Jujitsu. I earned my Black belt in 2002, and I earned my Black belt in Jujitsu in 2006.

The hardest time I had was not about me but it was about keeping my son (Mr. X) motivated .I worked on helping to build his self esteem and confidence, and at the same time, trying to keep it fun for him and for me..
The values I acquired through martial arts includes mutual respect for my peers, not to underestimate anybody, and humility from being over confident. The big way Karate impacted my life is by being next to my son as he battled through his Black Belt Testing and watching him grow into a young confident man has made me proud of him and hopeful for my daughter as she grows up in the martial arts family.

My entire family are students at School of the Tiger. My wife Mrs. Herrera is a Black Belt in kyukoshin. My son is a Junior Black Belt in Kyokoshin and is one test away from his Black Belt in Jujitsu. My daughter is a Green Belt in Kyokoshin at the age of 9.

Like I stated earlier, here at the School of the Tiger, we are also like one big family. We get together with Shihan and his family outside of class. We go to movies and back yard BBQ's with other martial arts’ families like the Quints. And after most testing we go out for pizza at Round Table.

I believe that teaching others is a valuable tool in Karate. It is through teaching that you see your mistakes. However, seeing the students you instruct get better at their forms and in their fighting techniques makes you feel proud like a father. You feel like you are passing a little part of you to them.

Currently, I am a supervisor in Calif. Dept. of Corrections and Rehabilitation. I expect to retire after a long career and a few more promotions.

I love to travel around the world and play golf, which is my biggest passion. I hope that before I pass away I will be able to golf in Europe, Central America, South America, Africa and India. I have Golfed in Asia.

My message for the ones who are just starting the path is that everything in life is a lesson and a test. Learn from your mistakes and the mistakes of others. Try to experience new things and cultures if you can. Strengthen not just your body also your mind. Again everything is a test a test of your character, integrity, compassion, and your desires to be better. Things come at different rates, some sooner than others just be patient. GOOD LUCK on this journey in your path of life.