media attention about Fred Neff

There have been numerous mentions and articles in the media covering Fred Neff. What follows are some excerpts:

Newspaper Article on Fred Neff Instructor

FEELIN' GOOD

The little train puffs. "I wish I could, I wish I could." How many of us go through life saying to ourselves and others, "I wish I could, I wish I could"?

Exciting to me is the reality. You and I can accomplish almost anything if we follow through on one very simple discipline-intent.

If it is all that easy, why don't more people do it? So sorry to mislead but, by definition the discipline of intent is rarely easy. It is however, extremely dependable.

My Karate instructor, Fred Neff, is a fifth-degree black belt and a world-class master. [Fred Neff] had on his hands at best, mediocre student. The best grade I received in algebra in high school was a D plus.

No prowess here. Have you ever been picked last for an athletic team? I was picked last for everything. When I asked if I could play in the game, my fifth-grade park board football coach told me, "No mike. You want to win, don't you?"

My karate instructor [Fred Neff] realized this and saw I was a poor student in his class, too. (Two left feet, two left arms, two left brains, etc.) [Fred Neff] came to me one day and said, "Put yourself in this situation."

"You are in the middle of an alley. In a dead end of that alley is the person you love most in the world. Charging at you from the open end of the alley is someone 6 feet 8 inches tall, 280 pounds threatening your life and the life of the person you love. How hard would you fight?"

Springing with enthusiasm (15 years ago) I said, "Boy I'd let him have it with everything I've got

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I USED THE DISCIPLINE OF INTENT TO EARN STRAIGHT A’S IN COLLEGE, BUST UNBUSTABLE QUOTAS IN SALES, START A BUSINESS IN THE HEIGHT OF THE RECESSION.
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and I'd finish him off." [Fred Neff] said, "Interesting. Tell me, Mike do you think fighting like your life depends upon it increases your chances of winning?"

"Of course," I said. Neff replied, "Interesting. Then do you think fighting like your life depends upon it will increase your chances of winning at just about anything you do?"

"Well, of course." I exclaimed.

[Fred Neff's] response. "Interesting. Then tell me, Mike what is stopping you from fighting that hard when you are just out there sparring with one of the students in class?"

"What is stopping you from fighting that hard to get better grades in school, to sell what you want to sell or to accomplish everything you want to accomplish?"

My response was a half confused, "well nothing I guess."

What's in it for me? After realizing the only thing holding me back from success was myself I used the discipline of intent to earn straight A's in college, bust unbustable quotas in sales, start a business in the height of the recession and in essence do whatever I desired to do.

It ain't just me, baby. Hundreds of my clients exposed to the discipline of intent-corporations such as IBM, 3M, Dayton's, the FBI have found they lost something as a direct result. They lost the excuse for not getting what they want.

You can share in the power of this thought. Just do anything you really want to do like your life depended on it and catapult your way to feelin' good.

-- ST. PAUL SKYWAY NEWS

Fred Neff Receives Good Neighbor Award

WCCO RADIO GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD

Today's WCCO Radio Good Neighbor believes in the Words "People who need people are the luckiest people in the world." [Fred Neff's] lucky because he (Fred Neff) touches the lives of many with his (Fred Neff) guidance and inspiration. [Fred Neff] teaches others to develop their talents. [Fred Neff has] worked with children in the public schools and he's (Fred Neff) worked on his (Fred Neff) own as a private tutor. [Fred Neff has] practiced Karate for nearly 30 years and he's (Fred Neff) shared his expertise with thousands of willing students. [Fred Neff] is a fifth-degree black belt and a world-class master.

-- WCCO GOOD NEIGHBOR AWARD

Edina, St. Louis Park, Golden Valley, Hopkins, Newspaper Articles on Fred Neff Assisting Juveniles

MARTIAL ARTS: FULFILLING THE WHOLE PERSON

Neff recalls one school referred child who, since his (Fred Neff) instruction in martial arts, has greatly improved in his school work and home life. "He's happy now-he has something he can take pride in," Neff says. And because so many of the students have grown to love and trust the wiry, sincerely interested, enthusiastic young man, they come to [Fred Neff] with all sorts of questions-"Ranging from boy-girl problems, to running away from home, to pregnancy." Neff's classes encompass the person as a whole being, and that's why one young student waited 20 minutes after the final class in Edina was dismissed, to bow and say "thank you."

-- EDINA SUN

As a result of his interest and work with young people [Fred Neff] has been asked by schools, police departments, women's defense groups, recreation and community centers to establish programs. And in the meantime, [Fred Neff] has steered many "born losers" back onto the track.

Sometimes his interest goes beyond sports. Last Wednesday morning-to name an example-[Fred Neff] spent five hours talking with a mother and her runaway son. [Fred Neff's] apartment in St. Paul has become an informal drop-in center for former students and other kids.

Neff doesn't pretend he (Fred Neff) is a psychologist, but he (Fred Neff) does feel that his programs helped a number of young people.

-- SUN REGIONAL EDITION FOR EDINA, ST. LOUIS PARK, GOLDEN VALLEY

WIN OR LOSE, YOU'RE ONE STEP CLOSER

Fred Neff has several goals he'd (Fred Neff) like to accomplish in his (Fred Neff) life and since he (Fred Neff) is only 25, he's (Fred Neff) got the time. [Fred Neff] wants to start a program in the public schools benefit children in karate both mentally and physically. He (Fred Neff) wants to centralize his (Fred Neff) program for handicapped and troubled children. [Fred Neff's] students say Neff spends as much time helping people in his (Fred Neff) free time as he (Fred Neff) does teaching.

-- HOPKINS SUN

Fred Neff Teaching New Hope Law Enforcement Officers

NEW HOPE POLICE PRACTICE "CONTAINMENT"

If you're ever involved in a street fight or a barroom brawl and Fred Neff is around, you'd better hope he's (Fred Neff) on your side.

-- NEW HOPE-PLYMOUTH POST

Fred Neff Receives St. Paul Citizen of the Month Award

In 1975 [Fred Neff] was honored with a St. Paul Citizen of the Month Award an award sponsored by the BARBERS for his (Fred Neff) work with handicapped children. In 1980 [Fred Neff] received a distinguished service award from the Sibley County Attorney's office.

-- THE GRAND GAZETTE

Minneapolis Newspaper Articles on Fred Neff Teaching Approach

CONTROL YOUR KARATE OR YOU'LL GET CREAMED

Strategy is important, Neff said, and he (Fred Neff) teaches his (Fred Neff) students to consider strategy in much the same manner that chess players plan their moves.

-- THE NORTH MINNEAPOLIS POST

DON'T BE MEAN TO THE KID

"I (Fred Neff) feel my job is to help these kids get some confidence and self-respect," Neff says, "and if I (Fred Neff) can do this through karate then I'll gladly teach for free." [Fred Neff's] dream is to get martial arts into the physical education curriculums of all the schools. [Fred Neff's] sessions, without the usual Oriental regimen, are pleasant and exciting. [Fred] Neff grows close to his pupils by showing concern for their problems.

-- MINNEAPOLIS STAR

WATCH IT, BUDDY!'

The company's head, Fred Neff, said he (Fred Neff) put together the course for women because he (Fred Neff) was disturbed by newspaper articles about women getting mugged and beaten up.

-- MINNEAPOLIS TRIBUNE

MARTIAL ARTS: FULFILLING THE WHOLE PERSON

Working with a staff of coaches [Fred Neff] modifies his (Fred Neff) teaching methods to meet the needs and capabilities of specific individuals. And [Fred Neff] watches each progress with sincere interest and pride.

-- MINNEAPOLIS SUN

NEFF SAYS "WINNING ISN'T EVERYTHING"

Today many parents ask themselves if coaches are teaching their children sportsmanship and the fun of playing sports, or simply sticking by that old philosophy that "winning is everything." Several students around the twin cities area thing they've found an answer. His name is Fred Neff.

-- MINNEAPOLIS SUN

St. Paul Newspaper Articles on Fred Neff Helping People

SELF-DEFENSE CLASS PRESENTED AS GUIDING LIGHT

One might gleen from reading future shock and other books that the population explosion and the sky rocketing trend toward automation is causing a depersonalization of the individual. This is making it difficult for the individual to assess himself and his role in society.

But Hamline students and other St. Paul residents have an opportunity to counteract this in a number of ways. One of these is learning the Martial Arts. The Martial Arts as they are taught by Fred Neff provide a guiding light as to how the individual may find himself and how he or she is to relate with other members of society.

-- HAMLINE ORACLE

"I (Fred Neff) train individuals to be confident within themselves while at the same time being gentle; I (Fred Neff) teach a philosophy that resorts to physical force only as a last resort," [said Fred Neff.]

-- WILLIAM MITCHELL OPINION

St. Paul children with mental or physical handicaps go to the Child Development Center for a number of reasons, among them to learn karate from Fred Neff a 25 year old holder of a fifth-degree black belt, or his (Fred Neff) assistants.

-- THE ST. PAUL DISPATCH

Fred Neff, chief instructor and founder of the Academy, said last week that one fundamental goal of the teaching facility will be to encourage the participation of school systems in the programs for the benefit of handicapped children.

-- THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BULLETIN

[FRED] NEFF'S KARATE CLASSES ARE MORE THAN FIGHTING

Hamline's academic clime and social atmosphere draws to it a high caliber of professor and instructor. One such instructor is Mr. Fred Neff, a world renowned instructor in the martial arts and the dynamic humanitarian who has been the impetus for many a worthwhile project.

Exploding fists, spinning back kicks and free fighting are the tools and catalysts [Fred] Neff uses in motivating students to point out, strive for and to obtain goals which are beneficial to the individual and to society.

Martial arts tools are aided by Neff's vibrant and vital personality. Chevrolet's Corvette News recently devoted a story to [Fred Neff], and in it said, "Fred [Neff] exudes a kind of electricity that seems to sparks students and friends alike into action."

-- THE ORACLE

The course is under the direction of Mr. Fred Neff, a fifth-degree black belt with 20 years of experience and the author of eight books on the Martial Arts. [Fred] Neff is truly concerned about the students in his classes. That is why [Fred Neff] works long, hard hours to ensure they have a truly enlightening and existential experience.

-- HAMLINE ORACLE

Twin Cities Suburbran Newspaper Articles on Fred Neff Helping Juveniles

KARATE PART OF BLIND GIRL'S CURRICULUM

Fred Neff, who operates a karate center in Newport helped found the karate program that is being offered to several children with handicaps or emotional problems. [Fred Neff] provides the funding and karate expertise, Inver Hills oversees the program and offers credit to some of the instructors.

-- SOUTH WASHINGTON SUN

Fred Neff, head instructor of the Minnesota Karate Academy, presents a gift to a handicapped child during a Christmas party sponsored by the Academy with the cooperation of the Pillsbury Company. The karate instructors also provided entertainment for the physically and emotionally handicapped youngsters.

-- THE WASHINGTON COUNTY BULLETIN

IHCC STUDENT HELPS BLIND CHILD LEARN KARATE TECHNIQUES

Fred Neff, who supervises Laura Howard's internship, operates a karate center in Newport, and helped found the karate program that is being offered to several children with handicaps or emotional problems.

-- THE INVER HILLS FORUM

FRED NEFF PUBLIC SERVICE MAGAZINE ARTICLE

MINNESOTA'S MANY-SIDED MAN

Fred [Neff] feels that karate has helped to teach him the true value of life. To improve the quality of life for others, [Fred Neff] devotes as many hours as possible to handicapped, retarded and problem children. The children are referred to Fred [Neff] by governmental agencies, social institutions or concerned parents who have heard of [Fred Neff's] work.

-- CORVETTE NEWS

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