The story begins with Joe, an average thirty-something-year-old guy, who has just earned his brown belt. Joe is an accountant, husband, and parent who is overweight, hypertensive, and unhappy with his life in general. During his two-year journey towards earning his black belt, he discovers himself, transforms his life, and finds happiness. Though we all know that basic characteristics for success include confidence, desire, discipline, persistence, faith, and learning to deal with failure, many of us lack one or more of them. Through his journey from brown belt to black belt, Joe transforms himself into a positive-minded individual willing to take on challenges and make decisions. His journey is one of self-improvement, from being dissatisfied with his life to being in control of and happy with it.