Paranoid. That’s what some people call me when they find out I do martial arts. What are you so afraid of? What do you think is going to happen? They presume I wake up every day terrified I’m going to be robbed or murdered. They presume I rush home and lock myself in the basement…
Author: Ando Mierzwa
Ando Mierzwa is a martial arts teacher living in Los Angeles, CA.
#13: Paranoia into Power [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #13 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, Paranoia Into Power. The world can be a scary place. You watch the news, read the headlines, and face your own strong of disappointments and disasters. Some days, the bad vibes can be so overwhelming you may not even want to leave your…
One Move Workout: Get Results On Your Worst Day!
You’re tired. You’re sore. You’re busy. You just don’t feel like it. There are so many excuses to skip the gym, or Karate class, and miss a workout. Then what happens? You feel like a loser. You swear you’ll make it up next week. Or maybe you think about quitting workouts altogether. Stop torturing yourself!…
Master Teacher: Are You Giving Students Your Best?
“Master” is a term frequently used in the martial arts. While no one talks about a master accountant, master salesman, or master nurse, it is common to refer to a teacher of karate, kung fu, or BJJ, as a “master”. But master of what exactly? Mastery implies the ability to demonstrate basic and advanced techniques…
Self-Defense Story: The Blonde Haired Warrior
People sometimes ask me how much training they need to be effective in a self-defense situation. My answer? None. Zip. Fact: Men, women, and children defend themselves every day with no training whatsoever. Sure, the news blasts you with stories about the crimes that get committed…but what about the crimes that don’t get committed? The…
#12: The Blonde Haired Warrior [Podcast]
Welcome to Episode #12 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, The Blonde Haired Warrior. Once upon a time, I was awakened in the middle of the night by a blood-curdling scream. I ran outside to discover a young, blonde haired woman— a brave blonde haired woman— whose actions that night taught me many…
One Trick Pony: Why Your A-Game Isn’t Good Enough
I have met many women who think taking a self-defense class is a waste of time because, heck, if a guy ever messes with them, they’ll just kick him in the groin. That always works. Except when it doesn’t work. You can miss. He can block. He can get kicked and keep fighting. You can…