Local Martial Arts Master Mixes It Up to Create A New System

Whether you’re 4 or 74, martial arts can help build strength and self-confidence and improve physical conditioning, while helping to develop your focus and concentration. And of course, it can also help you to defend yourself.

When you hear the term ‘mixing it up,’ you might envision a fight. But for martial arts guru Barry Goldberg, mixing it up means combining the best parts of several martial disciplines into a unique system he devised.

During initial orientations with prospective students, the soft-spoken, tattooed Goldberg, founder of the Goldberg Self Defense Academy (GSDA) in Stoughton, Mass. (www.gsda1.com), assesses students’ abilities, fitness, bone structure and size. He says, “Job One is eliminating their fears using a hands-on, reality-based total immersion approach. Students wear protective gear, but there are no floor mats. I teach them how to not fall down, how not to get hurt,” he smiles. He’s been there, done that, having studied martial arts since age 5.

“I wasn’t a great student, especially in physics, math, psychology,” admits Goldberg. “But in order to fight smart, you need to know as much as possible about physics, angles, gravity, aerodynamics and psychology. That’s when those subjects started to appeal to me. And that’s the secret to martial arts success.”

There may be a dozen martial arts studios within a short drive of the GSDA facility, but Goldberg differentiates his studio by taking training to a new level. While others may focus only on kung fu or karate, Goldberg combines his training from four continents and has developed his own tighter, more efficient and more effective system that he calls GSDA -- incorporating the best aspects of each discipline he has mastered. He earned a black belt in Krav Maga / Survival (Israel); a 5th degree master level in Wing Chun / Kung Fu (China) ; and attained instructor level in Muay Thai (Thailand).

He truly has studied at the feet of masters: In Israel at age 5, Goldberg began to study under Dr. Dennis Hanover, 10th degree and funder of Dennis Jujitsu Survival and noted IDF trainer. In 2014, he was certified by the Wing Chun Association in China, earning the title of 3rd generation disciple of Grand Master Ip Man, the legendary Bruce Lee’s teacher. With this certification, Goldberg’s style became recognized as a new Wing Chun Self Defense discipline. There’s a large brass plaque on the studio wall announcing his prestigious accomplishment

Goldberg has worked with the Belize police dept. Israeli army, key staff at a Sheraton hotel, and a Chinese SWAT team, from the Zhongshan, China, Police Association. He is now working with law enforcement officers and groups in eastern Massachusetts. His body is covered with colorful tattoos symbolizing the cultures where he has studied. He speaks four languages fluently, having been born in South Africa, raised in Israel, and lived in Belize, China and Thailand.

Goldberg says a 3-month basics course, 3 hours per week, gives students of any age great exercise plus the ability to overcome fear, learn how to defend themselves, evade a punch or weapon, and, if needed, stop an attacker. Among current students are entire families, business executives, college coeds, individuals with special needs, and others. GSDA Self Defense and Fitness training classes for men and women are available at the studio, workplace or at a student’s home. He also offers seminars for corporate team-building and onsite self-defense training. Senior citizens receive a 20% discount. We also offer 20% off to police, fire, medics, members of the military and veterans.

For info about individual training or classes: 781-789-9541 / barrygsda@hotmail.com. Visit www.gsda1.com. Goldberg shares retail space at 1819 Central Street / Rte. 27 (rear – behind Stelio’s Pizza, next to Polillio’s Garden Center), Stoughton, with his wife, Chere, a Stoughton native. Her shop, the Fashion Exchange, introduces a new twist to the consignment concept, where a monthly fee enables members to freshen their wardrobe every month.

- By Stanley Hurwitz / stanhurwitz@gmail.com / 508-269-0570

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