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Written From The Mat

These articles are for anyone rebuilding their foundation, looking for clarity, or trying to figure out what actually matters when everything feels chaotic.
You'll find insights from 30 years of martial arts training, lessons from major life transitions, and practical approaches to building resilience that don't require you to buy into someone else's system. Read what resonates, ignore what doesn't, and take what's useful.

Three Articles To Get You Started On The Right Path.

Finding your People

Great people make hard training easier.

The Art Of Visualization

The key to improved practice.

Play Your Own Game

Everything we do is a game. Design your own.

The Second Before the Throw

    There's a moment in judo that most people struggle with: The second before the throw. It's that place in time when you've been gripped, off-balanced, and feel yourself going. Your brain screams to fight it, and most people stiffen up and grab for anything.
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    If You're Fighting You're Already Late

      I've been training in martial arts for over 30 years. You know what most people assume that means? That I know how to fight. They're not wrong. But that's not what all those years actually taught me.
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      Clearer than I realized

        This past week I had cataract surgery. At 53, that wasn’t exactly on my bucket list. After years of martial arts, and just life in general, it turns out my eyes have taken more damage than I thought.
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        Why taking a 'deep breath' doesn't work

          One thing that makes me chuckle when people are stressed is when someone suggests they “take a deep breath and calm down.”  It reminds me of when someone says, “Relax.” You not only can’t relax, but you now want to punch them in the face.
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          Make it Silly Simple

            If you struggle to step on the mat each day, make it so simple that it would be silly not to do it.
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            How Does Stress Show Up For You?

              Last post, I left you with a question. Where in your life are you physically capable… but mentally still getting worn down? If you actually sat with it for a few days, you may have noticed something uncomfortable. Most people don’t struggle to answer that question.
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              Be Hard to Kill?

                Be hard to kill. What was the first image that came to mind when you read that?
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                The Weight You Carry: How Farmer Walks Build Strength in Body and Mind

                  The Weight You Carry: How Farmer Walks Build Strength in Body and Mind
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                  The Full Body Assessment

                    The secret to training smarter and preventing injuries is knowing exactly where to focus.
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                    How To Stay Cool When Things Heat Up

                      I’m going to show you exactly how to stay cool when things get chaotic and the pressure is on. No fluff, just practical steps you can use to stay collected, make better decisions, and handle challenges without getting overwhelmed.
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                      Move with Purpose, Live with Confidence

                        Movement is not just a means to an end; it’s a vehicle for cultivating focus, awareness, and self-assurance in every aspect of life.
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                        Discovering Shibumi: A Path to Effortless Mastery

                          What if I were to tell you there is a more efficient way to gain greater insight, effortless grace, and beauty in all that you do? A way that would help you obtain a sense of quiet elegance and inner calmness in all areas of your life.
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