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STEVE BARLAAM BIOGRAPHY
Steve Barlaam was born and raised in Brescia, a city located near the Lake of Garda in Northern Italy. His father Renato, was a Special Forces Officer and his mom, Marylin, was the Director of an International Education Center, The Agazzi Institute. Steve’s family has a very long and illustrious military history, having served in all the different branches of the military ranging from the Navy to the Army to the Air Force. Steve grew up with great admiration for the Military and Armed Forces, and he had always been extremely grateful for his military upbringing and the discipline and values that were instilled in him at a very young age. Steve’s Father gave him a great example of the importance of honor, courage, fearlessness, striving for excellence, protecting your loved ones, and having a deep faith in God.
After retiring from the military service, several of Steve's uncles created some of the most successful Detective, Anti-Espionage, and Executive Protection agencies in Europe, working with world-famous movie Stars, heads of state, billionaires, sports figures, and legendary industry magnates such as Enzo Ferrari. At the very young age of 12 years-old, Steve started to work after school with one of his uncles learning the profession of the private investigator, including executive protection, private investigation, and anti-espionage procedures.
At the same age, Steve developed his lifelong passions for motorcycle racing and Martial Arts. Brescia is one of the most famous cities in Europe for motorsports, the starting point of the world-famous Mille Miglia historical race that is held every year. Steve learned how to race motorcycles and cars from the very best.
Like many thousands of Martial Artists around the World, Steve fell in love with Martial Arts after watching a rerun of Bruce Lee's The Way of the Dragon that, interestingly enough, was set up in Rome. The unique setting gave a strong sense of reality to the film because Steve had family in Rome and was very familiar with all the places where the movie was shot. The film left a big impression on young Steve, and he became fascinated by Bruce Lee, his incredible skills, his philosophy and his unique approach to the study of Martial Arts. Steve considered Bruce Lee as his very first Martial Arts Teacher, being greatly responsible for opening his mind to the true essence of becoming a Martial Artist.
Steve’s Uncle Antony was a former Italian Navy Seal Officer who was also an undefeated Armed Forces middle-weight boxing champion. He passed along to Steve the art of boxing and due to his unique military background, was an incredible teacher and mentor for Steve, helping him with building his foundation as a Warrior.
During his teenager years, Steve also studied Karate Shotokan, several styles of Kung Fu, Kick Boxing, and Ju-Jitsu.
Steve grew up in a very traditional Catholic family, but when he was a teenager, his Japanese Karate Master introduced him to Buddhism and the practice of meditation. This was a life-changing experience, helping him to realize that the true essence of real Martial Arts is not only becoming a good fighter but achieving self-mastery.
During those times, Italy was experiencing an unprecedented wave of violence from terrorist groups, organized crime, and the Mafia. Government buildings, churches, train stations, and bridges were blown up by bombings and killed hundreds of innocent men, women, and children. A very dramatic bombing in one of the main squares in Steve’s city made an indelible impression on his consciousness and started his desire to go after terrorists and protect innocent people. From that moment, his study of Martial Arts assumed a very somber tone and became very serious. While competing and fighting were great experiences in building his foundation as a Martial Artist, a far more important mindset started to develop within him: a quest to find the true essence of Budo—The Way of the Warriors.
After completing high school, Steve was accepted at the Arma of Carabinieri Academy in Turin where he graduated in the top three out of more than 500 cadets. Due to his exceptional firearms skills and his already extensive expertise in the field of anti-espionage and investigations, Steve was selected to be part of a special ops unit under the direct command of a major recipient of the Gold Medal to Valor in Combat. Seeing great potential in Steve, the Major took him under his wing and taught him invaluable and life-changing lessons as a Warrior. These invaluable lessons alongside his unique upbringing, solidified the quality that Steve credits for his ability to manifest success in all his dreams.
Steve was then reassigned with his Unit to Rome and it was here that he met Master M, a Doctor in Chinese Medicine, a Master in Chi Kung and Aiki that would have a profound effect on Steve’s evolution as a Warrior and Martial Artist. Master M. introduced Steve to the inner secrets of Chinese Medicine and to Chi Kung. He also introduced him to the teaching of the great Indian Guru, Paramahansa Yogananda, the Master who came to America in the 1920s to introduce to the West the spiritual science of Kriya Yoga. During this time Steve studied WTF Taekwondo, additional styles of Kung Fu, Ju Jitsu, and Kickboxing.
While Steve was on special assignment in Rome, he met a Japanese Special Forces officer who introduced him to Japanese Ninjutsu and revealed to Steve that there were actually a few Japanese Ninja Masters still alive and teaching the art. After a great deal of research, Steve finally was able to come in contact with Grandmaster Harunaka Hoshino, head of Fuma Ryu Ninjutsu, who had his Dojo headquarters in San Francisco.
After being invited to Rome for a seminar, Master Hoshino and Steve connected on a deep level. After years of looking to find the most complete Martial Art, Steve decided to focus all his energy on studying Ninjutsu and made the life-changing decision not to renew his stay in a military service. Instead, he moved to San Francisco to study Ninjutsu Fu-Ma Ryu under Grandmaster Hoshino.
Eventually, Steve became the first European to achieve Master level status and an official teaching license in Ninjutsu Fu-Ma Ryu. For his achievements, Steve was invited with Master Hoshino to perform in Europe at the Easter of Budo, an annual Martial Arts show with dates in the most important cities. After returning to California Steve moved to Los Angeles to open his first Dojo, the Los Angeles Ninjutsu Academy.
Within a few years of moving to Los Angeles, Steve opened Shadow Warriors International Inc. an executive protection firm specializing in high-risk situations, including stalking, death threats, terrorist threats, kidnapping prevention, anti-espionage, and strategic consulting services.
Shadow Warriors International currently has locations in Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Las Vegas, Palm Beach, Milan, and Rome.