Thomas Richard Joiner has trained in what is arguably one of martial art's preeminent styles and advanced to the level of Kyoshi 6th Dan in the Chinese Goju System. He is the recipient of the University of Martial Arts and Science Humanitarian Award for Notable Achievement and Excellence in Holistic Medicine; and was inducted into the Chinese Goju Hall of Fame by Grandmaster Shidoshi Ron Van Clief in 1994, and became a member of Chinese Goju International in 2013. His background in Chinese medicine/Herbology includes: clinical internship in Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) that was part of a three-and-a-half-year work/study program at the Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine First World Acupuncture New York City, advanced acupuncture and Chinese Herbology under Dr. Lai Fu Cai at the Academy of Chinese Culture and Health Sciences in Oakland, CA., and Chinese Herbology at the Institute of Chinese Herbology Berkeley, CA. I have also done an extensive study of Tien Tao Chi Kung, and Taoist, Christian, and Rosicrucian philosophies, as well as being the founder and president of an on-line company Treasures from the Sea of Chi that sells Chinese herbs for general health, and specializes in herbs used in martial arts training. He has written six books: The Warrior as Healer, Chinese Herbal Medicine Made Easy, Blending Botany and Budo, Martial Esoterica, Kung Fu Medicine, and most recently Slaying the Dragon, in addition to being a contributing editor for Martialforce.com a martial arts e-magazine.