Books

The Big Lift: For Humble Mother Truckers Who Want to Get Really Really Strong

By Nicklaus Suino

This is the story of my Big Lift days. It was an epic period of growth. And by growth, I mean superhuman strength and monster muscle. I'll never forget lifting stacks and stacks of steel, bursting out of my clothes and stomping around North America like a real-life, vertically challenged Hulk.

I'm five feet six inches tall. I played judo as a kid and competed in gymnastics in high school, where I was part of a couple of state championship teams and won one state championship medal on the still rings. As an adult, Iíve earned high level black belts in six Japanese martial arts. However, until I turned 32 years old I had never weighed more than 145 pounds, nor had I ever squatted or benched more than 165 pounds. The Big Lift changed all that.

A Journey of Sword and Spirit

By Robert E. Wolfe, II

Itten Dojo is a center for the study of heritage Japanese martial arts and culture. Over the course of more than 30 years, the members of Itten Dojo have had the opportunity to train with many of the most prominent instructors of martial arts in the world, and have, through those interactions, gained insights that have impacted the lives of the members far beyond the walls of the dojo. In this collection of essays, Itten Dojo founder and chief instructor Robert Wolfe recounts the history and evolution of the dojo and explores lessons learned that have proven to be transformational for the dojo and its members.

Students and instructors of any martial art will find in these pages inspiration and encouragement to strive for the best of everything that training in these arts can offer. Persons that have never trained will find reason to consider undertaking the journey.

A Journey of Sword and Spirit was awarded Second Place in the Fall 2025 BookFest Awards, in the category of Nonfiction-Memoirs-Transformational.

Budo Renaissance Man: The Martial Arts Journey of Nicklaus Suino

By Robert E. Wolfe, II

For more than three decades, thousands of people have become more centered, happier, and more successful with Nicklaus Suino’s guidance. Suino has been called “one of the leading martial arts instructors in North America,” but his influence radiates far beyond the dojo. He has made it his life’s mission to learn the fundamental principles of success in many different fields, apply those principles, and then share what he’s learned with others.

This concise biography of Suino presents a profile of an inspirational leader whose accomplishments in martial arts were a springboard to success as an author, attorney, entrepreneur, life coach, husband, and father.

The Art of Japanese Swordsmanship

By Nicklaus Suino

The original purpose of iaido was to slay an opponent with one stroke of the sword upon unsheathing; today it is practiced as a martial art, one that improves concentration, develops strength and coordination, and cultivates awareness of an ancient culture and its traditions. This manual of Eishin-Ryu (or "Pure Faith") iaido teaches the most widely practiced sword style, and is illustrated with step-by-step drawings to help students, from beginners to advanced, hone their forms and techniques. Introductory chapters explain the history and evolution of the art, the Japanese sword and related equipment, and the etiquette and code of the samurai, while an extensive glossary and bibliography are provided for further reference.

The Drinking Game

By By Nicklaus Suino

When the young upstart Bob Santoni challenges his drinking ability, the old master, Russell Aldridge, agrees to a contest that will last for six months and end up completely changing both their lives. Filled with "fish stories," social commentary, and wry humor, THE DRINKING GAME is a character study of a man born in an age long past, when honor and dignity were valued and mastery was a way of life.

The Elite Fighter

By By Gary Legacy

Join 10th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Karate and Hakutsuru White Crane - Hanshi Gary Legacy - as he delves into his 50+ years of experience to explore practical fighting strategies for strikers.