Here’s the vid:
After watching the video, I’d love to hear your answer to the question…
What characteristics do YOU think make
up the Martial Artist’s Mindset?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts in the Comments below and in a few days, I’ll share the characteristics I believe define it and exactly who I want to work with.
– E
I have always admired the implications of a martial arts gym. The mere act of walking into one and asking for instruction is an instant sign of humility; forfeiting that someone knows better than you. For those that go the distance in their training, it really says alot about their character. It speaks that they’re disciplined to a some degree, although undoubtebly to a degree greater than your common person. I also admire that someone who goes to a MA gym recognizes that the value of a person is not how they look, but what they are capable of. That is the order of a life of a martial artist or just someone who should be proud of themselves. First humility, then discipline, and finally capable. Personally I enjoy MMA and breaking (dancing), which is why I focus my training around speed, stamina, stength, and range of motion.
I believe that the mindset is as vaied as the individuals who train… however there is some commonality among those who “play” at it and those who are serious.
I’ve trained since the 70’s and for the most part, I don’t think the kids today would train as hard. I’ve been a guest at clubs where you hear them groan or complain about doing another set of exercise. They all want to learn a spinning back kick and be Bruce Lee on Day One. In a society that thrives on instant gratification, that’s not too surprising…. which brings me to mindset.
To succeed, I believe one needs a “knockout” combo of patience, desire, persistence, determination, understanding and compassion.
Hi Eric,
For me, the Martial Artist Mindset is just like marriage and having kids. Everything is intertwined into the other with a common and shared purpose, ever changing and growing. I found the following statement on a martial arts website and it resonated that much with me that I use it now as my own personal motto…”Remember, your training never stops. It is not enough to know, you must understand. It is not enough to talk, you must do. It is not enough to wear your uniform, you must sweat. Use every class to create a stronger, wiser, healthier version of yourself”. And that’s how I train and keep a very happy family and work life balance, which becomes even more important when the little ones come along!!
For me that would be mindfulness (open, mild, non judging awareness), (self)compassion, discipline, focus, humble and playful.
Hi Eric how about a programme for 40+ dads who want to keep in shape and as you are about to find out do not have as much time as they used to …..ps what about a name ? Jamie.
Hey Jamie,
I’ve been thinking about that a bit more…
My Ultimate MMA S&C fits the bill as you can get it done in 2 days/week, but I’ve been thinking about something more frequent but less time for each workout, like 6 days/week where each workout including warmup takes 20 minutes.
Does this idea interest you?
I really enjoyed this presentation Eric and I think it reflects the mind set of a true martial artist. In that the openness to learning (otherwise known as HUMILITY) and the inner drive to improving through dedicated application of that learning (otherwise known as COMMITMENT) both support the heart of the matter. The reason and purpose for doing it in the first place; expressing truly the self’s energy in order to warm and enlighten (otherwise known as COHERENCE) of which integrity is a part. Enjoy.
Really enjoyed this video. Refreshing. Felt good to have a glimpse into the mind of Eric Wong, to see how he thinks. And the video was really well presented. I liked how you presented your different core values. Made it more interesting than just watching you talk standing in front of a whiteboard. Its good to see a businessman giving more priority to such values and producing quality content with integrity rather than focusing on how to get a lot of customers and sell them stuff.
A suggestion though – I do think you should spend some time and focus a bit on marketing. How you present yourself, how you present your programs and your products to customers/potential customers. Its good to see you’re not going in the “Mike Chang direction” of aggressive advertisement of complete bullshit and instead focusing on actually creating quality products and making sure you do all you can for your customers. But a little focus on marketing can only help. Preparing videos and presentations in advance (Take a look at any of Steve Jobs Macworld presentations – for example the unveiling of the first iPhone. Theres nothing flashy about his presentations but he sold his ideas extremely well and with great conviction. I respect him a lot for that reason.), using different settings to make videos more interesting as you have done in this one, stuff like this can only help you. It’ll help you get more customers and keep old ones interested.
Thanks for the feedback Divij I’ll definitely keep your advice about marketing in mind! Definitely agree about Steve Jobs – he was a master.
It really amused me hearing you say your baby would be lying in a “supine” position. Mark of a true fitness expert?
Eric,
Great video. You’ve really advanced and I like where you are headed. Really pumped to see your new product.
I am not a martial artist but I’ve trained with them. I’ve admired their humility, poise, and physical/mental fortitude to persevere through adversity.
Congrats on you and your wife’s baby!!!
Eric,
I think different martial arts require different mindsets. Though successful martial artists probably have a few things in common. I believe an inner drive to succeed, and an enjoyment of competition are shared by successful martital artists as well as successful people in general. This doesn’t necessarily mean getting in a ring or on a stage to compete, but competing against others or yourself in training to strive for consistent improvement.
Tommy
Hi Eric,
Really enjoying your latest blogs.
My interpretation of the martial artist’s mindset is a mixture of drive and determination, desire to improve and challenge oneself, dedication, focus, philosophical approach (depending on the martial artist!) and hopefully a willingness to help your training partner and crew be the best they can be.
Good luck with the baby too dude.
The openness to learn and be the best you can be. Fighting like a black belt but having the attitude to learn like a white belt does. Striving to be better than you were yesterday whether it be competition, technique, fitness,flexibility or even personal life, etc.
– Judo and BJJ Athlete
Discipline. One must go through more than they believe they can endure to succeed, I think the only way to do that is to stay focused. I also believe an open mind and a willingness to learn make up a martial artists mindset.
Eric,
First I’d like to say that watching the video, it’s apparent that a life changing event is about to take place for you in a few weeks. It’s almost like watching a replay of the shift in my personal outlook in life when I found out I was going to be a father for the first time. It does make you step back and really take a good hard look at life. You realize quickly where your priorities should be since life is no longer all about yourself…it’s all about that little dude or dudette and what you need to do so they grow up happy and healthy. It’s a pretty awesome thing, so congatulations and enjoy.
As far as a martial artist’s mindset, I think that’s a pretty multifaceted mind set to have. I’ll try not to get into too many of them so I don’t blow up your blog.
I think the first part, and probably the most important part, is most martial artists or MMA guys I know have a pursuit of perfection that drives them no matter what. They wake up everyday and practice their art relentlessly, they train relentlessly, they make all the neccessary sacrifices to be the best they can be at what they do. They don’t shy away form hard work, and damn sure never, ever half-ass anyhting. That carries over into the other aspects of life as well, not just in their training. That’s a lesson I learned early after spending four years on active duty in the United States Marine Corps. Failure is never an option, and it holds true with most martial artists I’ve encountered.
The second part I’ve noticed for a martial artist mind set is the Zen like attitude. People with that mind set seem to be able to maintian a calmness no matter what turbulence life seems to throw their way. I sum it up to the old saying of “Pray for Peace, but train for war”. If your already prepared for things to go sideways on you (trianing), when they do, you’re already prepared to deal with it. But when things go great, you tend to be pleasntly surprised and all is well in the universe for the moment, thus enhancing the Zen like state.
I’d have to say the final part of the martial artist mindset for me is compassion. Again, most of the guys I know that train, once they step out of the gym or dojo, have a genuine concern for other people. They are more than willing to offer help to someone that needs it, which I think ties closley into the core value of integrity. Doing what’s right, even when no one is looking. In today’s world, especailly here on the east coast, it a rare thing to see someone willing to help others, but when it happens, it’s an awesome thing to witness.
So those are my thoughts, and honestly how I try to live my life in all areas. Thanks again for including me on the short list, and I’m looking forward to the new release.
Say strong and keep punching,
Kenny
Eric,
My first martial arts teacher Makoto Kabayama taught me that a martial artist is a keeper of the peace.
Being a martial artists means having the discipline and strength to walk away from unnecessary confrontation.
D
I think there are two points that are particularly vital: COMMITMENT and HUMILITY. “Commitment” implies a determination to be the best you possibly can be and to make whatever sacrifices are needed to achieve this. By “humility” I mean always being open to learning – being alert to learn something new, being willing to change to a better way if you find it, not being locked in to any given way of doing things as if that way is part of your personality, always realizing you are way short of knowing everything.
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