In 1968, having graduated from high school, Mr. Shoffit received his introduction into the martial arts. It was during this nostalgic period of the late 60s and early 70s that he developed his intense personal interest in the cultural, historical, and philosophical aspects of the martial arts. Since receiving his black belt in 1972, Mr. Shoffit has gone on to expand his study in both eclectic and traditional martial arts.

In 1974, Mr. Shoffit graduated from North Texas State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology which was offered through the Education Department. While attending graduate school in 1976, he decided to make a professional career in martial arts by opening a studio on a full-time basis. In 1986, Mr. Shoffit completed construction on his spacious, custom-built facility that is now the base of his operation.

Over the years, Mr. Shoffit has had the opportunity to train extensively with numerous masters and grandmasters. Collectively, this wide range of study has helped him develop the philosophy that a balanced system should be complete but not finished. Some of the more notable individuals with which Mr. Shoffit has trained in a variety of areas are:

In American Martial Arts - Mickey N. Fisher (Founder of Shin-Toshi), Joe Lewis (Florida), Bill "Superfoot" Wallace (California), and J. Pat Burleson, 10th Dan (Ft. Worth).

In Brazilian Martial Arts - Royce Gracie

In Chinese Martial Arts - Robert L. Jones, Jr. (Co-Founder of Shin-Toshi), Eric Lee (Hollywood, CA), Al Dacascus (Oregon), Francis Fong (Atlanta, Ga), Jeff Speakman (Hollywood, CA), and Grandmaster Ron Van Browning, 10th Dan San Soo Kung-fu (Dallas, TX).

In Filipino Martial Arts - Leo Gaje (Big Springs, TX), Dan Inosanto (Torrance, CA: Bruce Lee's close friend and protege), and Remy Presas (San Francisco, CA).

In Japanese Martial Arts - Tetsuji Yamaguchi 5th Dan (Dallas, TX) for Kendo and Iai-do. Also IMAF Masters Shizuya Sato 8th Dan Judo and Jujutsu, Katsuo Yamaguchi 9th Dan Iai-do, Ikuo Higuchi 7th Dan Karatedo, Tadanori Nobetsu 8th Dan Karatedo, Mr. Wally Jay 10th Dan Ju-Jutsu and 6th Dan Judo (Alameda, CA), Tony Annesi 6th Dan Kamishin Ryu, Aiki-jujitsu (Ashland, MA), and Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Kobudo, Kendo, Iai-do, Judo, Aikido, and Jodo with Darrell Craig (Houston Budokan).

In Korean Martial Arts - Hapkido with five elite groups. Dr. He-Young Kimm (Founder 10th Dan Han Mu Do, 9th Dan Kuk Sool Won), Kuk Sool Won Grandmaster in Hyuk Suh 10th Dan (Houston, TX), and Hwarang-do Grandmaster Joo Bang Lee, 10th Dan (Downey, CA), GrandMaster In Sun Seo, 10th Dan, World KiDo Association (Fremont, CA). Hapkido founder, GM Han Jae Ji, 10th Dan. Also, Tae Kwon Do Master Jack Hwang, 9th Dan (WTF).

In Okinawan Martial Arts - Jack Hogan 8th Dan Ryukyu Kempo, Kobudo, and Karate with Darrell Craig 6th Dan (Houston, TX), Fumio Demura 7th Dan (New York), Glen Rebago 6th Dan (Hawaii), Student of Tadashi Yamashita 7th Dan(California), and George Dillman 9th Dan in Ryukyu Kempo (Reading, PA), Grandmaster Rick Moneymaker, 9th Dan Torite Jitsu, 9th Dan Okinawan Kempo, (Stuarts Draft, VA).

In past years, Mr. Shoffit has taught an accredited course on self-defense for Texas Woman's University as well as programs for the Denton Independent School District and the National Guard.  Formally, Mr. Shoffit was on the fellowship at the University of North Texas, teaching accredited courses in self- defense offered through the Kinesiology department. He is also has an unpublished biography on the eclectic system of martial arts that he teaches as well as focusing all of his energies into the new millennium and the changes it will bring.

Ranks and Certifications

• 7^th degree Black Belt - KiDoHae (GM In Sun Seo, 10th Dan)
• 7^th degree Black Belt - Shin-Toshi (GM Kang Rhee, 10th Dan)
• 7^th degree Black Belt - Moo Duk Kwan TKD (GM Burleson, 10th Dan)
• 7^th degree Black Belt - ISA Tae Kwon Do (GM Petrotta, 10th Dan)
• 5^th degree Black Belt - Sungja-do (Hapkido)
• 5^th degree Black Belt - Song Moo Kwan Tae Kwon Do
• 3^rd degree Black Belt - Bo Jitsu (Stick Arts)
• 1^st degree Black Belt - Kendo (Swordsmanship)
• 1^st degree Black Belt - Iai-Do (Sword Arts)
• 1^st degree Black Belt - Iai-Do (Muso Shinden Ryu)
• 1^st degree Black Belt - Kobudo (Ancient Weaponry, IMAF)
• 1^st degree Black Belt - Jukido Jujitsu
• Certified Instructor - National Arnis Association (non-ranking)

• 2006 - GM Seo, recognition of Mr. Shoffit's 7th Dan rank & system
• 2006 - World KiDo Federation Grand Nationals, Dallas, Texas
• 2006 - World KiDo Federation Seminar, Dallas, Texas
• 2005 - World Sin Moo Hapkido Seminar, GM Ji, 10th Dan, Dallas
• 2004 - World Sin Moo Hapkido Seminar, GM Ji, 10th Dan, Dallas
• 2004 - Japanese Police Seminar (Taiho-Jitsu), Houston Budokan
• 2002 - Francis Fong Seminar, Dallas, Texas
• 2001 - America's Registry of Outstanding Professionals
• 2001 - Goshin Budo Ju-Jitsu (#97016)
• 2001 - Master Instructor - International Sungja-do Association
• 2001 - World KiDo Federation Seminar - GM In Sun Seo, 10^th Dan
• 1999 - Dunn & Bradstreet
• 1996 - Who's Who Among America's Teachers
• 1995 - Marquis Who's Who in America
• 1994 - World Han Mu Do Assoc. Seminar, Dr. Kimm, 10th Dan
• 1993 - Remy Presas Modern Arnis Seminar
• 1993 - Shin-Toshi, copyrighted with Library of Congress
• 1992 - Professor Wally Jay Seminar, Dallas, Texas
• 1992 - Who's Who in Martial Arts (Michael DePasquale, Jr.)
• 1991 - Japanese Masters Congress and Seminar
• 1988 - Coordinator for Instructor Training, Texas Black Belt Commission
• 1988 - Founded National Shin-Toshi Association
• 1986 - Custom-built facility for National Headquarters constructed
• 1986 - OZAWA Cup International, Las Vegas, Nevada
• 1985 - Instructor Certification, World Tae Kwon Do Association
• 1985 - Who's Who in American Martial Arts (Dale Brooks)
• 1984 - 1st Southern Kuk Sool Won Seminar, Houston, Texas
• 1982 - National Arnis Assoc., Certified Instructor (Tuhon Leo Gaje)
• 1982 - 1st California Martial Arts Seminar, Dan Inosanto
• 1982 - Who's Who in Karate (Dale Brooks)
• 1982 - Instructor's Manual, Texas Tae Kwon Do Federation
• 1980 - Letter of Commendation, Korea Moo Duk Kwan Association
• 1979 - Meeting of the Masters Seminar, Dr. Kimm, 10th Dan, Dallas, Texas
• 1979 - 5^th World Kuk Sool Won Association - Houston, Texas
• 1976 - Opened first Shin-Toshi dojo
• 1968 - Mr. Shoffit began martial arts

Presently, Mr. Shoffit's rank is recognized and registered by seven (7) international organizations, four (4) national, and one (1) state.  The system of Shin-Toshi that he currently teaches draws from six (6) major composite systems.  The system of Shin-Toshi that Mr. Shoffit teaches is recognized and registered with the Seishin-Kai Karate Union, Tokyo and Osaka City, Japan and the All Japan Karate-do Federation.  In addition, Shin-Toshi is one of the few American martial arts systems recognized and registered with the government established Korea KIDO Association, Non Hyun Dong, Kang Nam Gu, Seoul, Korea and the World KIDO Federation out of Freemont, California which recognize only martial arts systems, not martial sports (taekwondo, yudo, etc.)

Not only is Mr. Shoffit's highest rank of 7th Dan awarded by Grandmaster J. Pat Burleson, 10th Dan, America's first Karate Champion, but also it is recognized by Grandmaster Kang Rhee, 10th Dan (Elvis Presley's teacher) of Memphis, Tennessee.  In 2006, Grandmaster In Sun Seo, 10th Dan of the World KiDo Federation, recognized Mr. Shoffit's 7th Dan ranking in the system of Shin-Toshi that he teaches.