Blackbelt

10 Things Having a Blackbelt Means to Me

May 31, 2016 by Kenney Myers

I have been active in sports and martial arts for years (ever since I was in college). I have done full contact tae kwon do, sparred many, many rounds, and fought in the ring. However, I think the biggest accomplishment remains earning my blackbelt under The Pit, Sifu Garcia and within John Hackleman’s system of schools. It’s a difficult belt to earn as it requires a combination of kickboxing, hawaiian tempo, sanshou, and crosspit (crossfit with a vengeance). Recently we added Kore jiujitsu as well under the great Luigi Mondelli. It’s like a who’s who list of coaches and yet they make it incredibly personal and find ways to focus more on making you the best version of you that you can be. So here are ten things that having a blackbelt means to me:

It represents several years and hours of practice chasing a goal and eventually attaining it. I think too many times people give up on their goals because they are difficult. No kidding! Very few things in life that are worth achieving come easily at least for most of us.
Going through this journey of learning various techniques has given me the confidence to know that if I find myself in a life threatening situation in the streets, I have a fighting chance at survival. Hopefully that never happens, but if it does I know that I am not going down without a fight.
I have learned to respect and listen to my body better than in any other sport I have ever played/practiced. I have blown out two calves, torn my bicep, broken my nose, and other various injuries. Through all of that though I learned what my body can and cannot take. That is useful information.
I have gained a tight-knit circle of friends that also participate at the pit that I would have never met had it not been for our training. Why is that key? Because surrounding yourself with good, positive people is important in life. Very few successful people get there alone and our team is always there for each other offering encouragement for every practice, round of sparring, or fight. We call it our pit ohana (family).
Through training at the pit and earning my blackbelt I have attained a higher level of physical conditioning than I ever did by just going to the gym doing cardio and lifting weights. I am not sure why but I can tell you that several rounds of sparring or rolling in jiu jitsu will fully exhaust every muscle in my body.
In my house, training in kickboxing is a family activity. My son is 11 and he also has a blackbelt from the pit. Having something that the family can do together is important especially when it is something that builds confidence and serves to keep the whole family safer.
Having a blackbelt really just marks another stop on the journey toward becoming the best that I can be. I’ll continue pursuing degrees and building upon this solid foundation. So earning a blackbelt for me is not a final destination at all, it simply marks a significant point on my map of life.
It’s hard to have a list of what a blackbelt means without acknowledging the support of others that helped me accomplish this goal. My wife, family, friends, and work all showed exceptional support without which I could not have made it. Thank you all for the inspiration and patience as I trained and nursed several injuries from fighting!
Having a blackbelt also means that I have a deeper understanding of what it takes for others to fight and to attain various levels of success. Watching a muay thai, kickboxing, or MMA fight is completely different after you have fought in fights yourself. The level of appreciation for both fighters is much higher.
Finally, I want to say that earning a blackbelt also means that I had amazing guidance from the teachers and staff at the pit. The techniques that they teach are not easy to master but I’m sure they are also not easy to teach. Thanks to all of them as well for pointing out my flaws and helping me improve every day!

So I’m not sure if others will feel the same way about the belts they have earned. I know many fighters that don’t care about belt rank at all (some fighting styles don’t even have a ranking system). I have a healthy respect for every martial art and for every martial artist. Honestly, even if you never step into a ring or octagon it’s important to celebrate your achievements. Becoming a better version of yourself is a matter of setting goals and putting in the time and effort to attain them. For me, having a blackbelt represents all of these things and much more. Now, it’s time to get back to work, hit some pads, do some sparring, and keep growing!

5 Business Lessons We Can All Learn from Ronda Rousey

November 17, 2015 by Kenney Myers

It’s never easy being the champion or leader in your industry. You constantly are looking over your shoulder as challengers pop up trying to take what you worked so hard to build and attain. They may be leaner than you and they may be hungrier than you which can be a very dangerous combination. They may also have training, skills, and experience that you don’t have. Recently, UFC champion Ronda Rousey was believed to be unbeatable. However, last Saturday night she wasn’t just beaten she was destroyed by challenger Holly Holm getting knocked out in the second round of their fight. I believe that we can all learn some lessons from Ronda Rousey to apply to our businesses and professional lives.

Don’t believe all of the hype. Your business may be all the rage with you getting amazing press coverage, large blogs, or even major National news on a regular basis. That’s all great, but the danger is in once you start believing all of that hype and start thinking that you are actually unbeatable (I think this was a major contributor to Ronda Rousey’s loss). There is an obvious advantage to being the incumbent but that hardly means you can’t be challenged. One thing is for sure, everyone and every business can be beaten.
Stay sharp and constantly challenge yourself to learn more and get better. Ronda Rousey put together a good team of coaches but she didn’t get world class striking/kickboxing training (if she did she ignored it completely). Holly Holm is a heavily decorated boxer/kickboxer and knowing this Ronda really needed to spend time focused on her opponent’s strengths.
Don’t run around chasing your opponent allowing them to control or manipulate your time. In the fight, Ronda was chasing after Holly Holm and completely allowing Holly to control the pace and style of the fight. If you allow your competition to dictate the pace plus how you fight your chances of beating them are not good. Try to focus on your strengths and get them to fight you on your terms.
Don’t block punches with your face. As Ronda found out she actually was not indestructible. She repeatedly got punched/kicked in the face and eventually that led to her getting knocked out. If you allow your competitor to keep hitting you and knocking off your clients one at a time or beating you in one market at a time, eventually they will take you out. You need a proper defense to block their attacks as often as you possibly can.
Talk is cheap and isn’t going to be enough. You can talk like the champ but that is simply not going to help you when you are in the heat of battle. You have to be able to back up the strong words and banter. Better yet, just let your actions do the talking for you. If you are the leader in your industry act like it but also stay as hungry as possible. You have to work hard to stay on top because you can be sure your competition is busting their butts.

There are a lot of other lessons that we can learn but in the end Ronda Rousey is fortunate because she will absolutely get a shot to get her title back. In business, rarely are we that lucky. If your competitor knocks you out you could be permanently down for the count. What are you doing today to make sure that doesn’t happen to you or your business?

10 Ways to Avoid a Fight When You Encounter an Idiot

November 1, 2015 by Kenney Myers

For most people, a physical altercation is something to be avoided at all costs. There are those, however, who love nothing more than starting a fight when they’re angry. While it can be tempting to knock some sense into a loudmouth who just won’t quit, a fight will introduce far more complications than it solves. The next time you’re faced with a person of questionable intelligence who just won’t back down, try these ten methods of avoiding a fight.

Don’t Give Them What They Want – More than a bloody nose or a round in the dirt, most violent and angry people want attention. The best way to avoid a fight with an attention-driven opponent, therefore, is to simply deny them the attention they’re seeking.
Keep Your Own Emotions in Check – It’s easy to avoid a fight when you’re calm and collected, but it’s a much bigger challenge when you’re also struggling with your own temper. If you let your emotions get the better of you, you’re less equipped to diffuse the situation. Even if you’re offended or furious, try to stay sane and rational until you can put some distance between you and your antagonist.
Give Up On Being Right – There are few things more infuriating than trying to get a point across to someone whose intellectual capacity just won’t allow them to see the light. You can shout them down until you’re hoarse, but you’re not likely to change their opinion. You know the person you’re arguing with isn’t so bright, so leave it at that. You don’t have to be formally acknowledged to be correct.
Get Some Space – There’s usually no good reason for staying put when you’re trying to avoid a fight. Even if you’re able to diffuse the situation and talk your opponent down for the moment, you’re still standing next to a powder keg until you leave the area. Since you’re going to need to put some distance between you and your opponent anyway, why wait? Walk away and save yourself some headache.
Apologize – Even if you’re in the right, what will you actually lose by dishing out an apology to smooth things over to avoid a fight? In these situations, you can be right, or you can avoid getting punched. The latter is usually the way to go.
Step Back – If you’re committed to solving the argument without resorting to violence, keep a few feet of distance between yourself and a not-so-bright combatant while you try to talk it out. You’re less likely to see an attack coming, or avoid a punch, if your opponent is in your face.
Watch Your Language – While you want to avoid cursing at someone when you’re trying not to fight, this isn’t the only kind of language of which you need to be aware. Using phrases like “calm down” or “you’re being ridiculous” are counterproductive to your aims. Instead of using accusatory language to bring things down a notch, use phrases which imply mutual culpability. “Let’s talk this over” or “we should take it easy” includes both of you, and can be more effective.
(Don’t) Put Up Your Dukes – Make a conscious effort to mind your body language, keeping your hands in a non-threatening, palms-out pose. Be sure you’re not making a fist without thinking, because this sends the signal that you’re ready to throw down.
Watch Your Back – If you’re going to walk away and the situation is still tense, be careful about turning your back to your opponent. This gives them an opportunity to attack from behind, and you less of a chance to defend yourself. Back away until you have plenty of room.
Assume Your Opponent is Armed or Trained – If you’re having a tough time convincing yourself that violence isn’t the answer, remember this: you have no idea if the idiot with whom you’re arguing is carrying a weapon. Assuming everyone in a potential altercation is armed is a great way to get your priorities back in line, so you can talk your way out of a sticky situation. Also, keep in mind you don’t know how much combative training this idiot has had. He could be a black belt in jiu jitsu and you could find yourself in a bad position very quickly.

At best, you’ll be walking away from a situation with the potential to end in stitches or criminal charges. A worst-case scenario can have far more permanent implications. While it may hurt your pride a bit to let your opponent “get away” with causing a scene, your pride will recover and you’ll experience no lasting effects from choosing not to fight.

My Big Fight

October 14, 2015 by Kenney Myers

As fighters we get old but fighting never gets old! I participated in a Muay Thai event called King of the Ring and ended up going the distance against an opponent half my age. He was quicker of course and overall stronger but we both gave it our all. I tore my right bicep and you can tell that is when the punishment started (broken nose). in any event I hope this inspires others and at least shows my ids the importance f not quitting and following through on your dreams/goals. Here is some video from the fight (I am the fighter in black).

10 Tips for Safely Teaching Your Kids Jiu Jitsu

October 13, 2015 by Kenney Myers

There are a host of benefits associated with martial arts training for children, from increased athleticism to self-defense and a heightened sense of discipline. In fact, I have written about that on multiple occasions on this blog and on other martial arts sites. I am a HUGE fan of training our kids. When it comes to jiu jitsu though with submissions specifically you have to be careful about what you teach your kids and when it is taught to them. They need a healthy appreciation for the responsibility that goes along with understanding ways to manipulate the body that are core to jiu jitsu.

Research Local Gyms – Before you sign your child up for the first gym to advertise youth jiu jitsu instruction, make sure you’re doing your homework. Not all gyms are created equal, and you’ll be able to sort the better quality options from others in your area by asking for referrals, looking at the facility and paying attention to unique ethos of each gym. Basically, how do they approach jiu jitsu for kids if it is no different than what they do for adults I would recommend finding a different gym.
Choose Instructors Carefully – An instructor who only teaches youth classes because they drew the short straw may not be as well-suited to teaching kids as the instructor across town with a passion for teaching youth combat sports. Make sure you take the time to ask about instructors’ qualifications, as well as their curriculum. Teaching kids takes an incredible amount of patience as their attention span is well… short. Make sure the instructor is equipped to handle that with something other than just yelling or sitting them out.
Ask About Instructor-to-Child Ratios – High-quality gyms will staff each class appropriately, but it’s always best to do your own research. One instructor heading up a class of thirty kids means not everyone is getting individual attention, and some kids may not be performing maneuvers as safely as they could be. In fact, this is a huge risk because kids may not realize the risks associated with improperly practicing an armbar for instance.
Invest in Proper Gear – Minimizing the risk of injury means investing the appropriate gear to keep your child safe. You can’t send your youngster to class without head gear, mouth guards or groin protectors and expect them to be fully protected. Ask your child’s instructor about recommended safety gear, and invest appropriately. Realistically other than a gi and mouthguard not too much is normally required for jiu jitsu but knee and elbow pads may also be a good idea.
Take Time to Learn the Rules – Most parents who enroll their children in martial arts classes have no training themselves. While you don’t have to sign up for adult beginner classes to keep your child safe, it’s always a good idea to learn the mechanics and underlying philosophy of jiu jitsu in order to help your child better understand what they’re doing and how to stay safe. Plus, it gives you something that you can share with your kids which likely will create memories that will last a lifetime.
Listen to Your Child – No matter how badly you want your child to reap the benefits of instruction in jiu jitsu, you can’t make them feel the same interest. A child who doesn’t want to be in class and has no interest in learning proper technique may be reckless or inattentive, which can lead to injury in some cases. I’m not talking about a child that every once in a while doesn’t want to go to class because EVERY child will feel that way at some point (just take them anyway).
Reinforce Jiu Jitsu Lessons and Values at Home – Kids who are excited about their new skills are going to want to try them out on everyone they meet, so it’s your job to keep not only your child but others safe from this boundless enthusiasm. Talk about the lessons they’ve learned and how they can practice at home without submitting the untrained kid next door. You may want to get a wrestling dummy or let your children practice on you.
Understand the Implications of Contact Sports – It’s not abnormal to want your child to reap the benefits of jiu jitsu instruction while still feeling some trepidation about the risk for injury. The truth is, jiu jitsu is a contact sport. Just like football, soccer or baseball, there will be some risk for injury and there will be some bumps, bruises, and mat burns along the way. Keeping your expectations realistic is one of the best ways to mitigate some of the risk, and to understand the difference between a bruise and serious danger which generally should not be the case with jiu jitsu.
Observe Classes – If you drop your child off at the door and never observe a class, how will you know the instructor is stressing proper safety measures? How will you know if the gym is clean and the facilities in good repair? Make a point of observing classes and remember that your jiu jitsu instructor is NOT a babysitter. Sometimes YOU will need to keep your child in check and focused.
Keep Lines of Communication Open with Instructors – No parent wants to hear that their child isn’t doing well in an activity they like, but it’s important to listen to your child’s instructors when they’re training in jiu jitsu. Also recognize that the instructor knows best whether your child is ready for a belt promotion, stripe, etc. Especially with jiu jitsu (which takes several years to master and get a black belt) it’s not about how quickly they get their black belt it’s about learning some valuable life lessons.

Jiu jitsu is growing rapidly in popularity and there are many opportunities for competition as well that your kids may love (but be warned that every kid won’t necessarily get a trophy in this sport). Just like any other sport though there are rewards that cannot be overvalued by teaching them jiu jitsu. It’s not about protecting themselves (although that is a definite benefit), it’s about giving them something that if they want they can literally do for the rest of their lives.

10 Reasons People Fail to Get Their Black Belt

August 11, 2015 by Kenney Myers

Typically seen as the pinnacle of achievement in martial arts, a black belt is ostensibly the end goal of every student who enters a gym. Why, then, do so many fail to earn their black belt? The answer to that question is different for every student, but there are some reasons which are more common than others. Here are ten of the primary reasons why students end their training before reaching black belt status.

Unrealistic Expectations – More than almost any other reason out there, martial arts students fail to get their black belt because they begin the journey with unrealistic expectations. Someone who expects to gain their black belt in two years is more likely to quit when, three years into training, they haven’t progressed through the ranks as quickly as they feel is warranted.
Lack of Dedication – There are more students who want to say they have a black belt in a particular discipline than there are students who actually want to reach the requisite skill level to be classified as such. A black belt is very difficult to earn, and someone who’s not dedicated to continuing to learn and grow will eventually lose interest.
They’re Training at a Legitimate Gym – There’s an unfortunate trend among unscrupulous instructors of offering “fast-track” black belt programs designed not to instill a love of martial arts and a dedication to learning, but to keep class fees rolling in and student retention numbers high. In a legitimate gym, a black belt is exponentially more difficult to earn, and as such, fewer of the students will earn their black belt.
The Timeline is Unclear – There is a cultural expectation for defined timelines; people want to know they’re expected to dedicate a specific amount of time to achieving a goal, and then are guaranteed to reach that goal. There is no real timeline for earning a black belt; gifted students may earn one several years earlier than those of average skill level. Not being able to refer to a definitive timeline can be discouraging, causing some students to simply give up.
The Belt is Their Only Objective – For too many students, a black belt is seen as the primary objective, not learning and training in the martial arts. Without a love of martial arts and a dedication to expanding knowledge, students aren’t likely to have the drive to reach black belt status.
Their Own List of Priorities – There’s nothing wrong with having your own set of priorities. For most people, family, work and academic pursuits will rank far higher on a list of priorities than martial arts training. While training can still be an enjoyable and rewarding experience for these students, a black belt is a less realistic goal.
Sustaining Injuries – While martial arts training in a high-quality gym does come with a host of safety considerations, it’s still a sport. As with any physical activity, there is a risk of injury. When a more serious one derails training for an extended period of time, it’s not uncommon for more casual students to simply stop training, rather than trying to get back on track.
Fear of Injury – Far more common than an actual injury, the fear of sustaining an injury keeps people from reaching elite martial arts status. Students who are genuinely scared of being injured may feel more pressure to stop training as difficulty progresses, thereby failing to earn a black belt.
Lifestyle Changes – When a child or young teenager begins training for instance, they have a particular type of lifestyle which may be well suited to the type of training required to reach black belt. As they grow older, enter college or encounter other lifestyle changes, training often falls to the wayside and martial arts is abandoned in order to make room for these new alterations in routine. Other lifestyle changes include a new job that takes you to a new town, you have a child, you lose your job, etc. All of these can factor into people giving up on becoming a black belt.
They Simply Give Up – “You want to be training your whole life. One percent of people that train Jiu-Jitsu will get their black belt,” according to Ryron Gracie, of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Gracie family fame. With such a small percentage of those who begin training actually earning a black belt, it’s easy to see why some people simply give up before reaching their goal.

There is no one-size-fits-all reason for failure to obtain a black belt, just as a black belt has different meanings and connotations in different martial arts disciplines. Entering the upper echelon of training comes with steep requirements and demands great dedication, but this is not to say a black belt is out of reach. It simply means the vast majority of students will need to adjust their expectations and priorities accordingly, understanding the difficulty of earning a black belt is part of the journey and a solid life lesson.