About
NSEYET (Insight) is a traveling motorhome and online podcast created to preserve the stories, experiences, and wisdom of traditional martial artists. The project grew from an idea Ray Hughes carried for more than a decade—a desire to document the voices and lessons of those who have dedicated their lives to the martial arts before those stories are lost.
After spending 50 years in martial arts as a student, competitor, instructor, referee, dojo owner, and volunteer, Ray came to appreciate that some of the most valuable lessons are learned not through techniques alone, but through the people who have lived the martial way. Rather than sharing his own story, he set out to record theirs.
The journey begins in Arizona, where Ray sits down with local martial artists to explore their training, challenges, successes, and the philosophies that have shaped their lives. From there, the podcast will travel across the country, meeting with practitioners from many different styles and backgrounds. Guests are not selected because of rank or recognition, but because each has a story worth preserving and lessons worth sharing.
The purpose of NSEYET (Insight) is simple: to introduce listeners to the people behind the black belts. Through honest conversations, guests discuss the experiences that shaped them, the state of martial arts today, and topics that are not always easy to address—including the balance between sport and tradition, the role of character in training, the experiences of women in martial arts, and the challenges facing future generations.
At its heart, NSEYET (Insight) is an effort to preserve the history, values, and wisdom of traditional martial arts—one conversation at a time. If these stories encourage others to continue learning, teaching, and growing, then the project has fulfilled its purpose.
Ray Hughes
Background
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Ray Hughes is the retired owner and former Chief Instructor of Scottsdale Martial Arts Center and Chandler Martial Arts Center, two long-established martial arts schools in Arizona. After beginning his Wado karate training in 1976 under Sensei Marlon Moore in Mesa, Arizona, he dedicated his career to teaching, mentoring students, and hel
Ray Hughes is the retired owner and former Chief Instructor of Scottsdale Martial Arts Center and Chandler Martial Arts Center, two long-established martial arts schools in Arizona. After beginning his Wado karate training in 1976 under Sensei Marlon Moore in Mesa, Arizona, he dedicated his career to teaching, mentoring students, and helping preserve the traditions of Wado karate.
Over the years, Ray has been privileged to serve the martial arts community in various leadership roles, including President of Arizona Wado and as a member of the USA Karate Technical Committee. He has also held national and international referee certifications through USA Karate, the Pan American Karate Federation (PKF), and the World Karate Federation (WKF).
Throughout his career, Ray has been fortunate to receive numerous competitive and professional honors; however, he considers his greatest accomplishment to be the thousands of students, instructors, and lifelong friendships that have developed through the dojo.
Today, in retirement, Ray continues to support the traditional karate community through his writing and podcast, where he records the stories, history, and wisdom of respected martial artists so they can be preserved for future generations.
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Ray Hughes has trained in traditional karate for five decades and has been privileged to study under many outstanding instructors. He holds dan (black belt) ranks in Wado Ryu (4th), JKF Wado Kai (5th), USNKF (6th), and received his 6th dan from the late Dan Ivan. His 7th dan was awarded by USA Karate-do KyoKai following examination befor
Ray Hughes has trained in traditional karate for five decades and has been privileged to study under many outstanding instructors. He holds dan (black belt) ranks in Wado Ryu (4th), JKF Wado Kai (5th), USNKF (6th), and received his 6th dan from the late Dan Ivan. His 7th dan was awarded by USA Karate-do KyoKai following examination before a testing board that included Sensei Chuck Merriman and Sensei Lee Gray.
Throughout his martial arts journey, Ray has remained committed to learning, teaching, and preserving the values of traditional karate. Today, he continues to share the lessons and experiences he has gained through his writing and podcast conversations with respected martial artists from around the world.
Competition Highlights
Senseis Moore, Jepperson, Merriman, & Ray Hughes
Competition Highlights
Mr. Hughes enjoyed an active competition career that spanned from the 1970s through the 2000s. Along the way, he earned numerous local and regional championships and was honored to compete on five USA Karate Teams (two Demura Sensei teams and three Wado teams), two of which won gold medals and one that earned a silver medal.
One of the hi
Mr. Hughes enjoyed an active competition career that spanned from the 1970s through the 2000s. Along the way, he earned numerous local and regional championships and was honored to compete on five USA Karate Teams (two Demura Sensei teams and three Wado teams), two of which won gold medals and one that earned a silver medal.
One of the highlights of his competitive career came in 1986, when he was recognized as the Outstanding Competitor at the Osawa Traditional Karate Championships in Las Vegas, earning a trip to Japan. He was also named Outstanding Competitor at the USA Wado Ryu Karate Championships in Utah and was honored by USA Wado as both School of the Year and Competitor of the Year.
Today, Ray continues to share the lessons, stories, and values he has gained through a lifetime in traditional karate by hosting his podcast, where he interviews respected martial artists and preserves their experiences for future generations.