CURRENT RANK:
Zen Do Kai – 3rd Degree
Brasilian Jiu Jitsu – Blue Belt
WHICH STYLES DO YOU DO?
Zen Do Kai, Brasilian Jiu Jitsu, CFS
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN TRAINING FOR? IN EACH STYLE?
My martial art experience began in roughly March of 2006 with my first lessons in Zen Do Kai. As our club expanded I became involved in Brasilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007 and CFS in 2009.
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE FROM THESE STYLES/MARTIAL ARTS?
My initial reasons for becoming involved in martial arts with Chikara Martial Arts are still the same now as they were when I began – fitness, fun and discipline. Along the way I have learnt that these and much more can be achieved in our club. I have learnt to take the ideas and concepts taught at our club and apply them in all areas of my life. In this way, each lesson I am involved with progresses me further with my training and my personal progress.
INTERESTS?
My interests inside the context of martial arts are in “fight fit” conditioning training, realistic applications of self-defence techniques, and psychological balance and control. Outside of martial arts, I’m an avid fan of music, rugby union, drumming, travel and business.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOURSELF?
I would describe myself as a keen student of life with an extremely twisted sense of humour. I’m a man of strong opinions and conflicting thoughts and always open to learning from mistakes.
ROLE MODELS, WHO ARE YOUR INSPIRATIONS?
I am often positively inspired most by those closest to me, but also by those least like me. I derive inspiration by identifying negatives qualities of others and working to ensure these are not qualities I embody.
WHAT DO YOU GAIN FROM TRAINING WITH CHIKARA MARTIAL ARTS?
My training with Chikara Martial Arts provides me with energy and motivation which reaches beyond the time spent sweating in the dojo. The physical benefits of being healthy and conditioned provide me the stamina to handle a busy schedule, while the mental strength I have learnt helps to guide me through any challenges I am presented with.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO TRAINING MARTIAL ARTS?
As far as introductions go, I was very lucky to be living with a (at the time) first degree Zen Do Kai student who immediately recommended I give the style a chance when I told him of a weight loss competition I had entered. I have never looked backed since those first lessons, and the fitness conditioning I undertook helped me to win the weight loss competition.
BEST ADVICE GIVEN TO YOU? AND BY WHOM?
The best advice I have received – by way of literature – comes from Timothy Leary: “Think for yourself, question authority”. At first glance, this may seem counter intuitive in a forum such as martial arts, where discipline and respect are key foundations; however the power of this advice is in its contextual interpretation.
In relation to martial arts – one interpretation I have is:
If you do not understand what you are being taught, ask questions, begin to understand what it is you are doing. To follow blindly without understanding what you are doing is without value. Question authority – seek their interpretation, seek to understand the knowledge that has propelled them to their current rank.
Outside of martial arts, this advice has many applications and has led me to a life of continuous questioning, understanding and learning and acceptance.
ANY ADVICE TO NEW STUDENTS OR ANYONE INTERESTED IN JOINING?
Chikara Martial Arts will change your life, but only if you want it to happen. Training the body is easy, training the mind is definitely more tricky – but definitely possible. If you can control your mind from making excuses and ways to avoid hard work you will begin to show your inner abilities. We are all students in our club and welcome anyone who wishes to learn about martial arts, fitness and themselves.
