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.