223-Why Everyone Thinks Karate Doesn’t Work And Why They’re Dead Wrong

Karate is one of the most misunderstood martial arts today. In this episode, I break down the real reason why so many people dismiss it—and why that narrative is completely wrong.

We start with the origins of Karate as a brutal and effective self-defense system, far removed from what many people now see in commercial dojos. I explain how post-war marketing and Western commercialization diluted the art and shifted the focus toward sport, stripping away the original intent.

We also dig into how Olympic-style competition and point fighting changed the public’s perception, and how the rise of MMA and viral fail videos created an echo chamber of criticism.

But that’s not the whole story. There are still styles and fighters proving Karate works—when it’s taught and trained the right way. From Kyokushin to Enshin to fighters like Lyoto Machida and Stephen Thompson, real Karate is still out there, and it’s still dangerous.

If you think Karate doesn’t work, this episode is for you. Let’s set the record straight.

222-The Black Belt Burnout: Why So Many Quit After Getting Ranked

In this episode, I sit down with Tom Theofanopoulos — a veteran martial artist with over 30 years of experience running MMA, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Kajukenbo programs. We talk about the real struggles martial artists face when they hit burnout — whether you're a black belt, blue belt, or just starting out. Tom shares how he’s helped his students (and himself) stay motivated, focused, and committed through the ups and downs of training. From mindset to management, his insights are real, raw, and based on decades in the game.

221- Wrestling Is a Martial Art: Why Belts Don’t Define Tradition

Why do people act like wrestling doesn’t count unless it comes with a belt and a gi? In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, we break down the cultural bias behind what gets labeled a “traditional martial art.”

Joining me are MMA Coach Bobby Seronio Jr. and BJJ Black Belt Claude Lawson. We dig into:

• Why wrestling gets overlooked in martial arts circles

• The roots of wrestling as one of the oldest combat systems

• How belts, gis, and marketing shaped what people think is “legit”

• What really matters when it comes to effectiveness

220-From Gang Violence to Law Enforcement: Frank Charmoli’s Real World Martial Arts Journey

Frank Charmoli grew up in a violent, gang-infested neighborhood—where drive-by shootings and daily chaos were part of life. That brutal environment pushed him toward survival, the military, and eventually a career in law enforcement.

In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, Frank shares his incredible journey: from navigating the streets to building a career in the Marines, the Navy, and later as a police officer. Martial arts was the one constant—something that kept him grounded and alive.

During his time in law enforcement, Frank helped build a martial arts training program and had the chance to train with legends like:

• Judo Pat Libbel

• Benny "The Jet" Urquidez

• John Hackleman (The Pitmaster, coach of UFC champs)

We break down the raw truth about real violence, why most martial arts are missing the point, and how Frank uses Kajukenbo to teach students what actually works on the street.

219- Learning Kenpo from Mitose in Prison | Eugene Sedeno Interview

In this episode, Eugene Sedeno breaks down his martial arts journey — how he ended up meeting James Mitose in prison, learning Kenpo straight from the source, and what really went down during those visits. He clears up a lot of the bullshit people throw around about his connection to Mitose and sets the record straight.

He also talks about the absolute all-star lineup of martial artists he met along the way: William Chow, Adriano Emperado, Walter Godin, and Ed Parker. This isn’t secondhand info — he was there. If you care about the real roots of Kenpo and Kajukenbo, you need to hear this.

This is Social Gelo with Angelo — where we talk martial arts, life, and everything in between. Hit that subscribe button and stick around for more real conversations with real martial artists.

218-The Kajukenbo History No One Knew | Mitch Powell Interview

In this episode, I sit down with Mitch Powell, author of "How Kajukenbo Became an American Martial Art," to talk about what really went into writing his book. This isn't a history lecture—it’s a conversation about the inspiration behind the project, the people who motivated him, and the challenges he faced along the way. Mitch opens up about what it takes to write and publish a book in the martial arts world, and why it was important for him to tell his version of what Kajukenbo means. Whether you're a martial artist, a writer, or someone trying to tell your story, there's a lot to take away from this one. 👉 Like, comment, and subscribe for more real martial arts conversations and content creator tips. 📖 Grab Mitch Powell’s book here: [https://a.co/d/cZXYWfp] ✍️ Want to write your own book? Mitch shares how he did it. 🎙️ More episodes at: https://www.SocialGelo.com 🥋 Interested in training? Visit www.thepit.tv

217-The Fight for Relevance: Is Your Martial Art Still Effective? (John Hackleman vs Tim Hartman)

In this episode of Social Gelo with Angelo, we bring together two very different martial artists for a raw, unfiltered conversation about what actually works in a real fight. Coach John Hackleman (trainer of UFC legends like Chuck Liddell) joins Datu Tim Hartman, a Filipino Martial Arts instructor with a controversial online presence. A lot of people think Tim’s a fake—today, he addresses it directly. We talk about: What makes a martial art “real” in 2025 Sport vs. street: where BJJ, FMA, and MMA fit in Why self-defense is more than just what you see in the cage How controversy and content collide in the martial arts world