A few words from Master Velez
During the course of over 30 years of training one of the most important things I learned was this: The only thing that could prevent me from becoming a world-class athlete are any limitations I bound myself with. Ever since I began training in martial arts I have been taught to look to world-class athletes as examples of the possibilities of both the human body and spirit.
I was also taught if I was to attain my own goal of becoming a world-class martial artist, then my aim should always be to persevere and develop. Since I learned this, my training has been to do my best and to study and work with athletes and martial artists elite in this field and try to follow them.
As someone who cross-trains in a number of systems, it occurred to me a long time ago that I could never reach the level of a world-class martial artist who is only studying one particular art. Part of me was disheartened by this and another part elated. I was disappointed because I realized that I probably would never be world class in any one system. Another part of me was overjoyed because there were so many fantastic practitioners that I could learn from in order to expand and strengthen my level of understanding in all the areas I was interested in. Therefore, I expanded my training with the best team in the world: Team Bergamo.