Welcome to Episode #19 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, 7 Lessons from Bruce Lee. Bruce Lee is probably responsible for more people signing up for martial arts classes than anyone else in history. And I’m one of them! In this show, I share seven lessons from Bruce’s notebook, the Tao of Jeet…
Tag: teaching
One Trick to Be a Better Teacher of Martial Arts
If you’re a martial arts teacher, I bet this has happened to you. You’re watching a student spar—let’s call him Rodney. Rodney’s not doing well. So, you coach him— “Rodney! Relax, keep your hands up, bend your knees, move, combinations, keep your chin down, pressure!” Then what happens? Nothing. Rodney fixes nothing. It’s like he…
Words of Wisdom from John Hackleman
John Hackleman is a living legend. He’s a master martial artist, founder of his own style—Hawaiian Kempo, founder and owner of the world-famous Pit Martial Arts and Fitness Center, coach and trainer to kickboxing and UFC champions, and a top level competitor in kickboxing, boxing, and no-holds-barred fighting. But forget all that! The reason I’m…
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…
The Myth of Women’s Self-Defense
I admit it. I’ve taught seminars billed as “Women’s Self-Defense”. But I’ve never been comfortable with that title. Here’s why— I have come to believe there should be no distinction between women’s self-defense classes and self-defense classes for men. None whatsoever. Doing so just over-complicates what is really a very straight-forward goal—preparing good guys to…
The Greatest Private Lesson for Martial Artists
Spending one-on-one time with a great teacher can be a life-changing experience. While I have benefited from many private lessons over the years, without a doubt, the greatest private lesson was with the legendary samurai, Miyamoto Musashi. Yes, Musashi is dead. Not just dead, but 350 years dead. But Musashi lives on because he wrote…
Motivation Is a Waste of Time
When I started martial arts, I became an evangelist. I begged everyone I knew to come to class with me. “Martial arts has it all! Fitness, wisdom, self-defense, self-knowledge!” But no one came. Ever. And I finally got the message—motivation is a waste of time! I made a pledge to move through the world not…