Martial arts: The Ugly side of the industry

The Complete History of McDojos (pt. 1) and The Complete History of McDojos (pt. 2) are excellent articles discussing the perils of the martial arts industry. There are many opinions and some very fierce positions about the variety of issues. My story… I started Taekwondo back in 1981. At the time I didn’t know it […]

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Does She Know She Lost?

Happening across the end of the movie “Blue Crush” on a movie channel, the heroine takes the last ride on a beautiful wave but due to the struggles leading to this point her score isn’t good enough to qualify for the next round of the competition. As she is mobbed by family, friends and fans […]

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Problem Solving Is The Stress Release

The martial arts is the perfect place to practice making stress your friend…well, at least, your ally. The challenges that are presented go beyond what you normally do in daily life. Even if you look just at the fitness aspect, your body is not ready for it. I had trained in Taekwondo for 10 years […]

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Journey Toward Leadership

I found this series of articles and they gave me cause for thought about my leadership and capabilities. The Essentials of Leadership Part 1 – Part 2 – Part 3. I have always tried to impress on students that the school/class is theirs, not mine. While I may have started the movement, I know it […]

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Learn To Drive Your Car Better

During a Haidong Gumdo (Korean sword) seminar led by Senior Chief Master Marshall Parnell, he commented that his job isn’t to make students the best swordsman that he can but it is to help them learn to drive their car better. My school has loved the hard physical training that develops the spirit in addition […]

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