With our semi-annual seminar coming up in a month, I’ve heard the same complaint AGAIN – “I can’t afford [blank] to go.” This typically is filled in with hotel but I’ve heard a few others as well. So? What is the value of your training? The piece about shows what I spent for the Memorial […]

So, you’ve been training for quite a while and know all the basic movements. You work hard to make the basics correct. Now, as you work on your patterns, techniques aren’t fitting. Are you doing techniques differently than during basics? Why? Have you found the combinations that are the same in different patterns? Have you […]

Over the past weeks, I’ve had several conversations about vacations and how they fit (or don’t) into your job. These have all come about by another’s initiation, not myself, asking if there was such a thing as a job that you didn’t need to take a vacation from or wanting reassurance that if you love […]

These quotes come from an article written by.Dave Berke for the Business Insider “Discipline drives you to do the work you don’t enjoy, but is required.” If you want someone who will handle adversity, find someone who is disciplined. If you want someone who will conquer fear, find someone who is disciplined. If you want […]

It is often stated that Leaders aren’t born, they’re made. I completely agree with this. I’ve watched as those who claim to lead us only take care of themselves. It is truly sad. This being said, it struck me the other night as I watched the TNT show “Last Ship”. The great struggle that they […]

Everyone tries hard but… Did you learn what you needed to BEFORE trying your best? This seems to be one of those “isn’t it obvious that I know what I’m doing” things whenever someone is actively seeking to accomplish the goal. Well…it doesn’t always seem to be true in the martial arts. Between the industry […]

Starting New It’s hard starting something new, and even harder when you find out that everything you thought you already knew is wrong (or at least just slightly off). That’s what it was like leaving the White Tiger family and joining Hwang Yong in Cheltenham, England. I left American a 1st Dan thinking that my […]

One of our Chodans has moved to the Untied Kingdom to follow her academic goals and has become one of their new teachers. Here’s some of her thoughts after a Summer visit. Thank you, Becky Jones, for the guest post. Coming Back It’s been almost a year since I left for England, and left the […]

“Show me a guy who’s afraid to look bad, and I’ll show you a guy you can beat every time.” – Lou Brock This could be the person who isn’t willing to make the effort. It may be the person with too much ego. Either case the results aren’t good. How many times have you […]

One of the fun quotes from Dr. Strange: The Ancient One: You wonder what I see in your future? Dr. Stephen Strange: No. Yes. The Ancient One: I never saw your future, only its possibilities. You have such a capacity for goodness. You’ve always excelled, but not because you crave success but because of your […]