How a Photography Project Became a Journey into the Human Spirit

There is a one time opportunity to get a huge break in price. It will retail for 44.95 plus tax. If you text me at 416-817-4842 or email me at nkerba@me.com. The book is available at a pre-publication price of $35.00 and we pay the tax. That’s around a 30% savings. The deadline is July 5.

If truth be told, The Essence of Judo was never supposed to exist.

I've known Greg for more than twenty years. When he first invited me to a judo tournament, I wasn't looking for a book. I was simply looking for something different to photograph. Judo was full of movement, emotion, and intensity—everything a photographer hopes to capture through a lens. Greg arranged permission for me to attend one tournament. Then another. Then another.

I met many remarkable people along the way. By the third tournament, I noticed that not all the action was on the mats. There was a whole lot more. I turned the camera away from the mat and noticed that the judokas greeted each other very accommodatingly and friendly, even after a competition with a winner and a loser. Often, it was hard to tell who won the match. After that, as they left the mat, their coaches would be at the exit, speaking with them about the match. Whether it was a win or a loss, there was a lesson. Then the parents and colleagues. As I turned again, I saw the referees, judges, and organizers. This was a whole community.

At that time, my plan was completely different. I was working on a book called The Passion and Purpose of Ordinary People, a collection of stories about individuals whose lives demonstrated extraordinary commitment and purpose. The judo community was going to contribute just three stories.

Then something unexpected happened. In December, Greg and I attended a retirees' luncheon organized by Rick Hatashita. I was hoping to find the final two people I needed for that anthology. Rick graciously gave us a few minutes to speak and introduced us to the room. Within minutes, fifteen people volunteered to share their stories.

On the drive home, Greg looked at me and said, "Forget three stories. We should do a book about judo in Ontario." It was one of those moments that changed everything. Greg believed the judo community would support the project. He was right. We approached the people at the meeting first, then Greg created a list of who’s who that he has known personally for over 25 years in the judo world.

Greg would follow up with calls, and we would follow up with the questionnaire. One by one, people agreed to participate. Before long, over fifty judoka had entrusted us with their stories. Among them were members of the Ontario Judo Hall of Fame, some represented Canada as Olympic judoka, there were distinguished coaches, referees, volunteers, administrators, parents, and lifelong students of the art.

The project had taken on a life of its own.

For six months, it became my life.

What I thought would be a photography project became something much deeper.

More Than a Book About Judo

As the interviews unfolded, I noticed something remarkable.

Our questions followed a format in which we would ask individuals about challenges they had overcome. We would ask what made them so passionate about judo and what they would tell their younger selves. Very few people talked about medals first. They didn't begin with championships.

They didn't measure success by podium finishes. Instead, they talked about perseverance. They spoke about failure, disappointment, injuries, fear, sacrifice, family, mentors, community, and finding the strength to continue when quitting would have been easier.

Again and again, I heard stories about people who had been knocked down by life—and who found the courage to stand back up.

There is an old Japanese proverb:

"Fall down seven times. Stand up eight." In the west it is fall down “six times, stand up seven”. It’s the same regardless of origin - it’s not that you will fall, it’s all about your will to get back up.

Whether the words are spoken on a dojo floor or around a family dinner table, the lesson is timeless. That is the true essence of judo.

It is not simply a sport.

It is not merely a martial art.

It is a philosophy for living, or, as Greg would say, a way of life.

The fifty-three people featured in this book remind us that resilience is learned. Character is forged through adversity. Purpose grows from service, discipline, and respect for others.

The throws, techniques, and competitions are only part of the story. The real lessons begin after we leave the mat.

That is why this book is not only for judoka. It is for parents raising resilient children. For coaches shaping character. For teachers inspiring young people. For leaders who understand that humility and perseverance matter more than titles. For anyone facing obstacles and wondering whether they have the strength to continue.

These stories answer that question.

The Journey by the numbers

We criss-crossed southern Ontario and even made a stop in Montreal.

This project has truly been a remarkable experience, and I wanted to share a few highlights that reflect its scope and depth:

The book captures the stories of 53 individuals from Ontario’s judo community
Collectively, these contributors represent an estimated 3,500–4,000 years of life experience
26 of the 51 high-ranking Dans listed on the Ontario Judo website are featured in the book.
Stories from 12 of the province’s 16 Olympians are included.
16 of 29 Ontario Judo Hall of Fame inductees have participated
We visited five clubs and three tournaments to document the next generation of judoka
The book also includes voices from volunteers, officials, senseis, club owners, and board members—past and present
We’ve honoured several individuals through stories shared by their families and club members

Together, these contributions form a powerful and lasting record of the spirit, history, and community of judo in Ontario. I’m excited about what this book will represent, and I look forward to sharing more as we approach publication.

I also want to sincerely thank Eric (Rick) Hatashita for his support early on. The retiree luncheon at the Mandarin provided invaluable momentum and served as a meaningful springboard into this journey.

To those who supported us with your stories, time and effort. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

The Future of Judo

What's Next for Naguib?

People often ask me, "What comes next?"

The truth is, this project didn’t just fill my time—it changed my heart.

The words passion and purpose used to feel like abstract concepts. Now, they carry a weight and a beauty that I can feel in my bones. Every interview I conducted left a mark on me. Every single person I sat across from reminded me that extraordinary lives are often lived by ordinary people who simply refuse to give up. The judo community has re-energized me in ways I never saw coming, and for that, I am deeply grateful.

Their generosity, their quiet humility, and their brave willingness to share both their triumphs and their deepest struggles have taught me a profound lesson: the greatest stories aren't found on television or in history books. They are found in the people around us who quietly live their values every single day.

Because of this journey, my world has opened up. I have so many more stories I feel the need to tell.

Next on deck is The Passion and Purpose of Ordinary People. To be honest, it was steamrolled by the world of judo for a while, but the fire for it never went out. I have forty incredible souls waiting in the queue, and I am pouring myself into and shaping the structure to ensure their stories receive the honor they deserve.

I have also found myself captivated by several other book concepts that have fast become my bridge to others—my way of getting that "people fix" and honoring this new-found passion that has taken root in my life.

Now, I am moving into a new chapter: bringing these books to life through interactive discussions. My hope is to get people to slow down and realize that every person they pass on the street is special, and every single soul has a story worth telling.