You want to be a better martial artist. But what exactly does that mean? Earning a new belt? Winning a tournament? Learning a new kata? Throwing higher kicks? Feeling safer in a crowd? Many students don’t know what “better” means. They don’t know how to measure progress. They lack a clear idea of what success…
Tag: bjj
Karate Ground Fighting: Tekki Shodan Bunkai
Naihanchi or Tekki Shodan is one of the oldest and most popular katas in karate. It’s also one of the most unusual. Over the years, I’ve been told the techniques were designed for fighting in alleys, on boats, on horseback, working as a bodyguard, or—my personal favorite—defending yourself while standing on a rice paddy. Hey—believe…
Lessons Learned from a Dojo Light Bulb
I have been blessed to know many great martial arts teachers. But today, I’m going to share the surprising lessons learned from an unexpected sensei—a dojo light bulb. Here’s the story… A month ago, I walked into the dojo and noticed a burned out light bulb on the ceiling. I checked the cabinet for a…
Martial Arts Are For Smart People
The martial arts were not made for everyone. The way I see it, they were only created for smart people. Think about it… A 250 pound good guy probably doesn’t need martial arts training to fight off a 150 pound bad guy. But… …a 150 pound good guy will definitely need a little help fighting…
Sparring with the Ocean
To be a great martial artist, you need sparring partners. Great sparring partners. That’s why almost every summer, I travel to Wrightsville Beach, NC, to face the greatest sparring partner of all time—the ocean. Here’s a short video sharing one lesson I learned. But you might like hearing more details below. Sparring the Ocean Here’s…
Death Grip: Just Let Go…and Win!
I used to think the term “death grip” referred to a grip so powerful it could cause someone’s death. But it’s the opposite. A death grip is a desperate attempt to control something that is causing you harm. It’s holding on for dear life when every other option has failed. I had a real-life death…
Breaking Down in Martial Arts
Breaking down in the martial arts is not uncommon. Screaming, swearing, crying, storming off… I’ve seen it all. In this short video, I’ll tell you why breaking down is actually a reason to be proud, not embarrassed. For a few more thoughts, take a look at the article below. Keep crying! 🙂 Breaking Down and…