# BrianBrief #5 (Reality vs Fantasy)

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2026/10/14/brianbrief-5-reality-vs-fantasy/
- Published: 2026-10-14T18:15:00-04:00
- Author: Brian Johns

## “The unexamined life is not worth living.” – Socrates

Let’s apply Socrates to our martial arts lives.

Early in my martial arts career, I attended a Modern Arnis seminar. I wasn’t a black
belt yet. After Professor Presas demonstrated a technique, I approached a black 
belt to see if he wanted to partner up.

“_No thanks. I don’t need to train_.”

## What?

Another example: A Modern Arnis seminar was scheduled to pay for Professor Presas’
medical expenses after he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

A martial artist emailed the host, saying he intended to attend the seminar. He 
attached his martial arts resume.

The resume claimed 50 years of martial arts experience and listed various styles
he had supposedly studied.

“_Oh wow! What an impressive resume!_”

Unfortunately, the guy could not walk and chew gum at the same time. This wasn’t
an experienced martial artist training in an unfamiliar style. It was as if he had
barely trained at all.

It seems to me that, while they are different, both were leading an “unexamined 
life” in the martial arts.

Start with the first dude. Had he looked into the mirror and asked himself what 
his martial weaknesses were? Probably not. His ego is the biggest obstacle to further
elevation of his skills.

It all starts with examining himself with unsparing honesty.

Ditto for the second dude. His self-delusion is an obvious tell that he never evaluated
himself. How many of you have watched yourself on video? I have, and it’s painful
to watch!

“_Holy mackerel, I look terrible there. Let’s effing fix this!_”

From a martial perspective, one couldn’t do better than this quote:

“Honestly expressing yourself…it is very difficult to do. I mean it is easy for 
me to put on a show and be cocky and be flooded with a cocky feeling and then feel
like pretty cool…or I can make all kind of phony things, you see what I mean, blinded
by it or I can show you some really fancy movement. But to express oneself honestly,
not lying to oneself…now that, my friend, is very hard to do.”

How many of you have looked at yourself in the mirror? Perhaps by taking a video
of yourself as you work out?

## Drop a line and let me know what you think.

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## Comments

### By: Joelle White

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2026/10/14/brianbrief-5-reality-vs-fantasy/#comment-2778
- Published: 2026-10-15T18:23:31-04:00

Yep, I video myself pretty frequently. It’s very humbling. But it’s also freakin’
useful. It doesn’t replace guidance from someone higher ranked, and it doesn’t replace
getting outside one’s comfort zone by doing some cross-training – especially if 
one seeks out a completely unfamiliar art!

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### By: Brian Johns

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2026/10/14/brianbrief-5-reality-vs-fantasy/#comment-2780
- Published: 2026-10-16T21:58:17-04:00

Thanks for reading and commenting. I look forward to your comments. I agree that
video does not replace feedback from one who is senior to you but it’s still quite
helpful!

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### By: Sally Warner

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2026/10/14/brianbrief-5-reality-vs-fantasy/#comment-2779
- Published: 2026-10-16T12:51:55-04:00

Yes, I’ve seen myself on video. It’s painful to watch. I usually feel like an imposter
but remind myself I have something to share. It’s a process of continuous learning,
whether you’re teaching or actively learning. That’s the journey. Thanks for the
post.

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### By: Brian Johns

- Link: https://brianejohns.com/2026/10/14/brianbrief-5-reality-vs-fantasy/#comment-2781
- Published: 2026-10-16T21:59:38-04:00

I know exactly what you mean by feeling like an imposter. I’ve felt that MANY times!
But it serves to kick me in the rear and improve myself in all aspects of martial
arts! 🙂

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