“I enjoy training. I try to outdo myself,” said DeSantis, who got his first black belt when he was 72. “I still try to see if I can get better and better – even at my old age.”

While most people slow down as they grow older, DeSantis has kept up the pace. And some people may say he has even kicked it up a notch.

“He has gone through three 12-hour black belt tests, which consist of a minute-break every hour, multiple attackers, and breaking bricks and weapons,” said Jeff Santella, the owner of Street Defense Martial Arts Academy where DeSantis trains.

His last test was less than a year ago.

Although DeSantis has been training in martial arts for more than two decades, he has been active throughout his life.

“I got out of the army when I was about 21 or 22. I just kept on going to the gym [and] never stopped,” said DeSantis.

“I don’t like to sit around.”

He worked in a steel mill and packinghouse in Ohio until he became a police officer. DeSantis got into martial arts after he retired and moved to Florida.

“He looks very non-intimidating, but I can tell you he’s a monster when he boxes,” said Cody Chilson, who trains with DeSantis and teaches Filipino martial arts.

“He has actually beaten almost all of our instructors before quite heavily in the ring.”

DeSantis serves as an inspiration to many people, because of his tenacity and dedication to his fighting and health.

“I’m 27 now and the thing that keeps me up at night is how old am I going to be when I’ll have to stop fighting? How old will I be when I can’t do this anymore?” said Chilson.

“Ferd is a constant reminder that you never have to stop doing it.”