If you are not able to view this video, click here.

While this podcast is three years old, it’s terrific. A little background on the interviewer. His name is Rokas, and he lives in Lithuania. He taught Aikido for several years and became disenchanted with the art. Long story short, he felt that Aikido was ineffective and tended toward the utopian side. He quit Aikido and closed his dojo. He moved to Portland, Oregon, to start training in MMA at Straight Blast Gym Headquarters under head coach Matt Thornton. After six months of training, he entered his first MMA fight. His martial arts journey is documented on his YouTube channel. I have to give HUGE props to Rokas for questioning his martial arts journey and adjusting.

The podcast is a fascinating interview between Rokas and Matt Thornton. Rokas and Thornton focus on questioning your assumptions and “functionalizing your art.” While this podcast leans heavily toward BJJ and MMA, I think the thought process in questioning your martial journey can apply to FMAs.

I have questioned many aspects of my martial art journey and still do right to this day.

How is the curriculum? I’ve adjusted it several times in the last decade. How well do I teach? Do I suck at teaching at times? I sure do. I have shifted my emphasis from techniques toward skill development. While I still rely on compliant training, I have introduced much more resistance and aliveness to the material I teach. I think that it is hugely beneficial to question everything that you do. Otherwise, I would stop evolving and become stagnant. My evolution will stop when I’m 6 feet under!

Having said all that, not everyone desires to fight or get into “functional” martial arts. It’s not for everyone. Some folks want to train for pure enjoyment. Some others seek self-defence rather than fighting. However, martial arts instructors should be honest about what they are offering. “Aikido is not meant for the octagon” is an honest statement. “Knife fighting is the answer to everything” is not honest and downright dangerous. It’s fine to question what is being taught as long as you seek the right path.

Due to age (56) and medical reasons (cochlear implants, glaucoma-related tube shunts in my eyes, and a cranky right hip), I am pretty much precluded from getting into MMA or BJJ. I’m transitioning into the “Freddie Roach” stage of my martial arts career, where I focus much more on teaching and passing on my knowledge. In the last few years, I have made several changes to functionalize my teaching and focus more on skills than techniques.

In any case, I highly recommend this podcast. The hour went by in a flash! You might learn a thing or two about your martial arts journey.

Additional Reading