Mission Statement and Bio

The PCW programs (formerly Vintagefine) are based on my personal system of beliefs pertaining to fitness and weight loss as a lifestyle change.
That being, I don’t believe in fad diets, counting calories, weight scales, massive amounts of barbells and fitness equipment, or pricey gym memberships that never get used.

My philosophy is simple yet effective, it is based on modifying and perceptions.

Making changes that hit the triad of mind, body and spirit as it pertains to over-all conditioning, strength and maintenance.

(1) Alter the perception of the mind; this begins the process that will assist in making the right decisions for a positive outcome in your health and body shaping goals.
(2) Achieving goals and (3) living life optimistically is a definite path toward spiritual uplifting and personal gratification.

These three simple rules are the base philosophy; and like the philosophy our system of training, though varied, works within a system of three as well.

1. Upper body
2. Core or center
3. Lower body

PCW is about creating a fit lifestyle, more then just the physical aspects of fitness, We realizes that fitness must be all encompassing, as we explore mental fitness, emotional fitness and economic fitness.

We look to network and share our enthusiasm, knowledge and vision with like minded individual interested in positive change, creative expression and wealth building.

We believe in using the physical change through exercise as a metaphor for all aspects of change because if you can remain focused and driven to see the physical manifestations of personal change you can apply that same drive and passion to other aspect of life.

Nothing worth having comes easy but it doesn't have to be an arduous journey, only through perseverance can we begin to make progress. And with positive reinforcement and a networking support team we can all redefine and achieve our goals, both individually and collectively.

Andre LaVelle Biography

Introduction:

Pain and I go way back; so far, in fact, that I don’t remember our first introduction. We’re like old friends from grade school. I remember pain being there with me when I had my collar bone broken; there when I suffered head trauma that required several stitches; and there when I endured a physical beat down by a deranged adult. Then there was the time when pain stayed with me indefinitely when I experienced the ultimate life-threatening crisis of being shot in the abdomen, with the bullet missing my spine by centimeters. All of these intimate moments with pain took place during my adolescence between the ages of six and eight years.

It was during this time when I was introduced to the iconic figure that would forever change my life, as he would come to exemplify my future understanding of limitless potential and the application of focus to achievements. Standing larger than life upon the silver screen, his skills were unreal. There was such speed and grace in his movements, and his body was a mass of chiseled muscle. This was the beginning of my interest in martial arts and of my obsession with Master Bruce Lee. My mother was supportive and had purchased a set of weights for me so that I could work toward developing my Bruce Lee inspired physique. However, my ability to pursue training would be momentarily subverted as a celebratory bullet fired to issue in the coming of the New Year tore through my stomach.

The beginning:

After seeing Bruce Lee in the movie (Enter the Dragon) I became obsessed with martial arts and fitness and began training at the age of seven. However my quest to achieve the level of Master Lee’s intensity would be stunted as I found myself fighting for my life at the tender age of eight. After being shot, the injury to my stomach and intestines plagued me for many years, and complications stemming from the initial trauma caused me to be hospitalized a second time during my freshman year of high school to have part of my lower intestine removed. The scar on my stomach and back, showing the route of the bullet that narrowly missed my spine, is my constant reminder of my good fortune. Having defied death and paralysis at such a young age, I have never allowed pain or discomfort to limit me. I immediately began secretly training while hospitalized to regain my strength and flexibility. Doctors were amazed at how quickly I recovered from such a major surgery. Within a few months after my hospitalization I was in the Dojo under the tutelage of Martial Arts Heavy Weight Champion Sensei Vincent “Shorty” Mills at the Pagoda Martial Arts Academy in Chicago. It was there that I developed a reputation for tenacity and heart, often requesting to spar with higher-ranking belts. Sensei Mills was an Illinois county Sheriff by profession and as the gang activity in Chicago increased our martial arts instruction focused less on the traditional form of training and focused more on practical application of street survival and body conditioning. Our sparring sessions became full contact fighting and most of us found it difficult to alter our techniques for tournament point sparring. Most of my tournament activities ended with disqualifications for excessive force and violence. I continued my quest within the Martial arts independently, training with various instructors in a variety of style, subconsciously adopting Master Lee’s philosophy for the combative arts.

click here for more on my martial arts lineage

I did away with the notion of rank or belts and focused primarily on applying my skills in realistic combat situations. A belt is for holding up your pants. In a street fight your rank doesn’t enter into the equation. I’ve been in numerous situations that were quite dangerous, from riots to gang violence; it’s all part of life when you are raised in the urban jungle.

I was able to apply the knowledge I had acquired as a youth during my day-to-day quest for survival during Chicago’s summers where you had to be observant to the point of clairvoyance to potential criminal action and violence. I’ve worked in personal and private security, armed and unarmed, building an impressive arrest record and receiving certificates of achievement on several occasions for my assistance in apprehending suspects and preventing crime.

At the age of 40 I decided I wanted to test myself further and apply my skills competitively, so I entered the cage and haven’t looked back.
Through martial arts I’ve grown to understand myself and realize I am only limited by my own inability to forge beyond my perceptions of inadequacy and/or doubt.
Once I overcame any misconceptions of myself, or any situation, I was free to explore all possibilities.

 

This site is dedicated to my personal triad of inspiration and motivation, those for whom I continuously push myself to be better, to achieve greatness and create abundance...

My Grandmother and Mother, unknowingly my imperfect Gurus whose strength and conviction I can only aspire to someday have. And the two young men who have shown me the true meaning of courage, commitment and sacrifice.

Click here to see the addition to my cause and purpose for success, growth and well being!