GeoGiant

Think of it as extra time to practice! Good luck!

Imho, it would depend on one's faith. Well played!

Welcome back!

Still Kicking - interesting thought! Most of us will have a moment when we see death coming. Will that moment be frightening or serene?

Congrats everyone!

For me death is about the end.... not the beginning. I wish I was able to accept some of the thoughts, ideas and assumptions that most believe about "x" after death. I pass no judgments on people that believe "x" I'm just not wired to be able to accept something on faith. I have too many questions about why certain people in certain geographic locations believe totally different things and each different group believes without uncertainly that their "choice" is the correct one and the rest are dammed. My confusion is increased by the fact that the time period one is born in also seems to dictate what one believes. Being born in India introduces you to a different "x" than one born in China, US, etc. Being born in 100 AD verses 2010 also presents different ideas of "x". With that being said, I think the prospect of death makes me sad. Sad for the life experiences that I will no longer be able to experience. Things like a warm summer day, just hanging out with my wife talking, etc. I try to stop every once in awhile, take a look around and acknowledge how lucky i am. I'm 38 now, which isn't old but old enough to know that I will not live forever. The day that I know I'll see my last sunset will be sad, sad because I enjoy sunsets.

Maybe the Steelers and Raiders of the late 70s early 80s. Ravens - Steelers are great.... even more when Baltimore wins ! I got into the city around 3 pm, tailgated then froze my butt off at the game. I can still close my eyes and see Flacco throw that ball to the FEET of the TE to end the game. Ouch

When an instructor intends to take photos during class, he / she asks everyone first... I always say yes. However I don't like when someone's parent / friend / etc starts taking cell phone pictures while I'm trying to train. I don't know why one bothers me and the other doesn't.

Good luck! Remember to breath!

I did a double take when he said that too

Joesteph, great vid! I diffused situations using the fence technique and I’ve talked others into leaving another alone when I recognized that the person they were dealing with was posturing. Stepping back to set your feet into the ready position while positioning yourself off center from the potential attacker and extending your arms and open hands sends a message. But its not an aggressive message where the potential attacker thinks they need to respond to maintain their “manhood”. Its a message that says the time for trash talking is over and you’re ready to take it to the next level if provoked. The thing is… you have to ready to take it to the next level. I’m 6’4” so someone has to step toward me to cross the fence and when I feel that person is my personal space I will defend myself, I will not wait to be hit first… thankfully a situation has never escalated beyond lip service.

I keep a t-shirt and/or a sweat shirt in my workout bag. If I have to stop on my way home I still have my gi pants on but no one has ever said anything... prolly looks like I'm wearing PJ pants

Ravens hold out for a win against the Bucs! Next Sunday night, in Baltimore, Ravens vs. Steelers for 1st place in the AFC North... and I will be there!!!

The only experience I have with this type of behavior is a friend of mine that is state trooper. He works as undercover narc and his work takes him away from home for extended periods of time. As a teen and college student my buddy was always a bit of an adrenaline guy. In his late 20's he would tell me about charging into a meth lab with his gun drawn and he would almost glow with excitement. He told me on more than one occasion that he would do his job for free. By the time he was in his early 30's his carrier was taking off, he was married and owned a beautiful home... but he had developed a short fuse. If he felt like someone took a parking spot from him he would be out of car confronting the other person. If we went out for a beer, it was like he was constantly scanning the room for...? Well he's now he is almost 40, divorced and not real crazy about his job. So to get back to the initial question, I say would both - born and made. Much like a boxer, you have to have the instinct and the desire to be better. A true sociopath may be able to take a shot without feeling regret however he may lack the self disciple to become a soldier.

Solid post!! Its funny how age effects you. I work out with one of the BB's 16 year old sons, mainly because this kid scares the other kids his age, but this kid will not tap and he is still young enough that he can bend certain joints like his elbow beyond the typical break point. Every time I work arm bars with this kid he's always telling me, "hey I didn't tap!"

I'm a kettle bell user. I usually do multiple body part exercises. For example, starting from a squat position with the bell on my side... stand straight while lifting the kettle bell above my head. Most of the exercises I use I learned by searching "kettle bell exercises" on utube. For me, the kettle bell allows me to work those stability muscles while working the major muscle groups.

Very solid post sir!! Thanks!

We have a 25 lb leather medicine ball at my dojo. We lay on the floor and bounce the medicine ball on our core area. Start slow with a light bounce!

After more thought... If you can take a punch and recover your wits quickly and if you have your wind up you should be able to stand your ground against most people that don't train.

I doubt that anyone on this forum can answer those questions. We don't know where or how you train. The questions is, have you been hit hard? I suggest you put on the pads and try semi to full contact sparring. If I can quote Mike Tyson..."everyone has a plan until they're punched in the mouth". You could have obtained a great deal knowledge about kicking, punching, etc., but if you drop your head or hands when you've been punched really hard in the face that knowledge doesn't help.

After I fell for your April Fools joke last year I will assume I hold the title for most gullible

Welcome! You've already taken the first step by checking out a few classes. Most schools will allow you to take a class or 2 before you're required to sign up. Try taking a class and let us know what you think.

Ouch! Like most, I think the amount of time it takes me to heal is a big factor in not letting my ego dictate when to tap.

How to motivate yourself? I'm a motivated person in general but I have 2 ideologies. First, everything I decide to do carries a certain amount responsibility and I don’t provide myself with excuses or denials for not taking care of my responsibilities. When I say responsibilities I’m talking about personal as well as professional. Professional responsibilities are easier to satisfy because (1) you’re being paid & (2) someone else is there to remind you need to complete “x”. Personal responsibilities are easy to shrug off… I’m tired tonight I’m not going to run (excuse)… I’m home late so I work workout twice as long tomorrow (rationalization). I’ve committed myself to my martial art and I attend class, practice and workout because I must… in the same way I must wake up tomorrow and go to work. Second, when I reach a low point I remind myself that how you react to a low point is how you define yourself. You can’t call yourself a committed runner when it’s a sunny day and you feel fantastic and can’t wait to get home and run. You’re a committed runner when its cold / rainy outside and you have a cold (low point) but you never consider not running. In the above running example, I would be reminding myself when i was tying my running shoes that I was facing a low point and looking past it. How to gain confidence? This is tough one. You have to teach yourself confidence if your parents or environment did not instill it in you. Hummm, really I don’t know how to explain it. To use an old saying, the difference between winners and losers is winners do what losers talk about doing. How muscle memories makes your training effective? Like everything, the more you do something the better you get. Read this post then try to jump as high as you can (measuring the jump). Then for next month perform strength training on your legs and practice jumping. After a month passes, try jumping and measuring the height of the jump again… you will be able to jump better (I chose not to say jump higher even though you should be able to). How to control yourself? I have nothing to prove and I don’t put myself in situations where I would need prove something. I don’t know how old you are but age has a lot to do with this. I’m a married guy that is 38 years old so I know trouble from a mile away.

Along with gloves, you gotta get hand wraps. They are really cheap, about $5 a pair, but they are worth their weight in gold.