BrianBrief #9 (Aging to Perfection)
As we age, some of us realize we need to change our training methods to accommodate our aging bodies. Not all realize this. Some do, but they’re so attached to their lifelong routine that they stick with it even if it does lasting damage to…
BrianBrief #8 (Setbacks)
Setbacks can clarify and, in bold relief, point out your weaknesses. Was it your preparation? Or did you ignore potential weaknesses? Or did the setback/loss expose unknown weaknesses? For example, several things became glaringly obvious during Notre Dame’s loss to BYU last Saturday. CJ Carr…
BrianBrief #5 (Reality vs Fantasy)
“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…
Putting Everything On The Line
If you are not able to watch the video, go here. One of my all-time favourite moments was the amazing, desperate downhill run by Austria’s Franz Klammer. I was 12 at the time and a fan. Klammer was the reigning World Downhill champion skier and…
“I Thought I Was Going to Die”
The New York Times recently published an article on the best American cross-country skier ever, Jessie Diggins. Diggins has become legendary among cross-country skiers for her ability to dig insanely deep into herself. While Diggins lacks the brute strength of some of her Olympic peers…
Patience, Grasshopper!
While working on a technique sequence designed to fortify their fundamentals, students may occasionally ask to do material that is beyond their skill level. I’ll often answer them in two ways. Either I will demur and tell them that their fundamentals aren’t where they need…
A Small Step Forward!
The other day, I tested my right shoulder with a brief carenza with a pair of kamagong sticks. It turned out surprisingly well and represents a small step forward for me. First, what is “carenza” in Filipino Martial Arts? A short answer is that it…
A Great Opportunity
A “Great Opportunity” is how I view my current right shoulder situation. To begin with, my right shoulder issues have gotten worse since October. There have been peaks and valleys with the pain in the front of the shoulder. Some days have been better than…
Post Push-up Challenge Blues and a New Plan
I haven’t posted for a while for two reasons. First, my work-related responsibilities have increased substantially since September. Secondly, I have to admit to a post-push-up challenge letdown. It’s time for a new plan. I had worked so hard at this particular challenge, and I…
Push-Up Challenge Debrief
I announced my goals for my 60th birthday a year ago. The motto for the past year was “160 and 60 by 60.” I wanted to get my weight down to 160 lbs and perform 60 push-ups by my 60th birthday. I managed to get…
