Bio - Barry "Bodie" Alexander

If Barry Alexander had trained in a metro area, chances are we would be hearing his name in Martial Arts circles as the guy that Joe Lewis could never beat in full contact karate. Barry was a warrior unlike any other that has trained in Shaolin Kenpo.

Beginning his journey in the 1970s, Barry Alexander was the second of many Black Belts promoted by Maria Warwick. He achieved this honor in September 1977.

Barry, also known as "Bodie" by his friends, loved to hunt in his spare time. I remember one particular hunting trip where Mike Skinner Sr. had wounded a deer that ran off into the woods. Barry's solution was to strap his knife to his hip and begin tracking this deer through rough terrain. Barry did not find the deer, but he did find the adventure exhilarating.

Shaolin Kenpo is based on speed, power, and accuracy. As the 70's drew to a close, control was also added to this so that students were not discouraged by being struck with too much force. If Barry had a shortcoming, it was that he was able to stop his punches only after penetrating three inches beyond his target.

On the night Barry Alexander received his Black Belt, another far senior student made a comment to the effect that Barry would be unable to lay a hand on him in a match. The Black Belt in question left the studio with a relatively severe concussion. 

After leaving Grays Harbor, Barry moved to the Everett/Snohomish area. He now resides somewhere in Florida. Barry also received his Black Belt in American Kenpo from Bruce Morrison. For anyone who has trained in Martial Arts and is familiar with Kenpo, this is no small feat!