Bill Mueller is a devoted Christ follower, happily married for 46 years, a proud father of four, and a grandfather to twelve. He serves as the CEO of Start A Network and is also a 9th Dan black belt recognized by the Okinawan Shuri-te Karate Association, reflecting over 50 years of dedication to martial arts. Bill’s journey began in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he first trained in Judo under Mr. Richard Hoffman before transitioning to karate at age 17 under Mr. Robert Billington. In 1974, shortly after graduating high school, he traveled to Okinawa to study under Nakamura Ankichi Sensei, marking the start of a lifelong mentorship and deep cultural connection. Driven to fully understand the art, Bill learned the Japanese language upon returning to the U.S., which later enabled him to translate advanced techniques, hidden forms (kakushita waza), and historical documents for American students. Over the decades, Bill has trained under many of Okinawa’s top instructors, including Isa Yoshito Sensei, current Chairman of the Okinawa Shuri-te Karate Association, and he was also the first foreigner to interview legendary karate masters such as Higa Yuchoku and Miyagi Shikichi. His efforts have helped bridge Okinawan traditions with American practitioners, preserving the authenticity and philosophy of Shuri-te karate worldwide. Now 69 years old, Bill continues to train under Isa Sensei and remains passionate about empowering students with the skills, discipline, and values of true self-defense, while his love for the Okinawan people, their rich culture, and the friendships formed through training have shaped his lifelong mission as both a teacher and cultural ambassador.