Eye Square Martial Arts

Cultural Preservation… with Bruises (sometimes).

Tag: Personal Growth

  • What Are Martial Arts?

    What Are Martial Arts?

    I’ve been turning over a simple question lately: What exactly are martial arts?

    Yes, there’s the literal definition—“arts of war”—but that doesn’t really tell you much. It’s like saying a guitar is “a stringed instrument.” Cool. Now what?

    So let’s go a step deeper.

    There’s the classic question we ask students: Why do you train?

    I’ve written before about big-picture reasons—to protect yourself, build confidence, manage stress, improve discipline. But beyond the why, we should also ask:

    What are we actually doing when we train?

    A Broad Set of Mission-Specific Skills

    When I think about this, I find myself borrowing ideas from the military—via friends, family, books like Expeditionary Force, and podcasts like Kinda Consensual (yes, I listen to too many of those… and yes, I’m a cliché: middle-aged dude, loves military sci-fi, owns multiple water bottles).

    Here’s where I landed:

    Martial arts are the skills required to accomplish objectives under stress.

    That’s it.

    In a military context, that might mean operating a rifle while under fire or landing a $70-million jet on a floating runway in hurricane conditions.

    Those abilities aren’t magic. They’re trained step-by-step, drilled over and over (and over and over), and maintained relentlessly. Pilots must fly a certain number of hours to stay certified. Infantry have to requalify with their rifles.

    It’s not about knowledge. It’s about capability under pressure.

    The “Non-War” Martial Arts

    So what about us—those of us not deploying to war zones?

    In the dojo, we’re not practicing to storm beaches. But the structure is surprisingly similar.

    We spend hours repeating techniques, honing patterns, training reactions until they’re automatic. Not because we want to be robots, but because instinct beats intention when things get real.

    Training stress helps prepare us for life stress. We learn to recognize danger, regulate emotions, and function under pressure.

    And if you’re like me—middle-aged, desk-bound, and slowly turning into a sentient loaf of sourdough—it helps you get your health back on track too.

    The Crushing Absence of Novelty

    There’s a reason Bruce Lee’s quote shows up on every dojo wall:

    “I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 techniques once, but the man who has practiced one technique 10,000 times.”

    Most people come into martial arts looking for an experience—and hey, that’s fine! It’s exciting, it’s cinematic, it’s cool.

    But the real power of martial arts isn’t in collecting techniques. It’s in transforming behavior.

    That transformation comes from repetition. Endless, boring, frustrating, rewarding repetition.

    It’s not glamorous. But it’s effective. And when the pressure’s on, it’s the boring stuff that shows up and saves your ass.

    Final Thoughts

    So what are martial arts?

    They’re not just fighting styles. They’re structured ways to build functional skills under stress—whether that’s in combat, competition, or just dealing with a bad day without flipping a table.

    And if all else fails, at least you’ll look cool doing pushups.

  • Being Content With Your Choices and Following Through

    Being Content With Your Choices and Following Through

    This post is a little different from the usual.

    I woke up this morning thinking about what I could do to keep moving this school forward. Almost immediately, a voice in the back of my head chimed in: “Just stay in bed. Take it easy.”

    But I got up anyway and went through my morning routine. On the way to the dog park to let my pups burn off some energy, I was reminded of a thought shared by both Marcus Aurelius and Steven Pressfield: you have to find contentment in the path you’ve chosen.

    So I asked myself: What do I really want?
    Not what brings money—what brings purpose?

    I want to teach martial arts.

    And the thing is… I am teaching martial arts. And I’m happy doing it.

    I have to remind myself that happiness doesn’t come from the bank account—it comes from doing what matters. I’m learning, creating, and sharing that journey with others. That’s meaningful.

    Sure, it’d be nice if I didn’t have to do all the “manual labor” of building this business both online and in person. But if I don’t put in that effort, why should the universe offer anything back?

    Opportunity doesn’t come knocking.
    But if you walk out the door and meet it halfway—it often shows up.

    “If you wait for opportunity to knock, it never will. But if you move to meet opportunity in the street, it’ll meet you halfway.”
    —Unknown

  • What Change Demands

    What Change Demands

    When I started martial arts 20 years ago, I was a lanky, uncoordinated mess—about 6’2″ and 165 pounds soaking wet. I hadn’t played sports beyond the bare minimum in PE, and to top it off, I had borderline-high blood pressure.

    In short: I had nothing going for me.

    So when someone tells me,

    “I’d love to train, but I’m out of shape,”
    it hits a nerve.

    Right. Because I started off in peak condition?

    💥 You Will Be Uncomfortable

    About ten years in, I realized I was drifting into “married blob” territory. My grandma even said,

    “Looks like marriage is being good to you,”
    which is family code for “you’re getting fat.”

    So I joined a gym. I started lifting.

    My then-wife wanted to join me, so we trained together. At least for a while.

    But certain exercises—deadlifts, squats, dips—she found uncomfortable.
    And when she didn’t see results, she was surprised.

    Go figure.

    🧱 Discomfort Is the Cost of Growth

    Martial arts are no different. You will be uncomfortable. You’ll struggle. You’ll fail. You’ll want to quit.

    But here’s the thing:
    If you want something of value, you have to give something up.
    Time. Energy. Sweat. Ego.

    Discomfort is the toll you pay for transformation.

    Whether it’s the weight room or the dojo, it’s not about starting strong—
    It’s about showing up anyway.

  • Why Do You Train? Defining Purpose in Martial Arts

    Why Do You Train? Defining Purpose in Martial Arts

    “Why do you train?”

    That was a question my Wing Chun instructor used to ask me all the time. For a long time, I didn’t have a good answer—other than I just wanted to. And honestly, that was enough to start.

    I’ve always thought martial arts were cool, and over time, I’ve come to realize that’s as valid a reason as any. But along the way, I’ve also learned something important:

    Knowing why you train helps you train smarter.

    Having realistic goals keeps you focused—and it helps you recognize what you can and can’t judge yet in your journey.

    🧭 Six Functional Reasons to Study Martial Arts

    There are lots of reasons someone might train, but most fall into a few core categories:

    ⚔️ War

    “The arts of Mars.” Martial arts were originally created for warfare.

    🏅 Sport

    Combat skills adapted into structured competition.

    👮 Policing

    Controlling and apprehending others as part of the justice system.

    🛡️ Self-Protection

    Using force to defend yourself from harm.

    👥 Bodyguarding

    Using force to protect others from harm.

    🌱 Self-Development

    Discipline. Health. Confidence. Coordination. The “everything else” bucket.

    Understanding why you train shapes how you train. A cop, a soldier, and a sport fighter all need different tools—even if they share some techniques.

    🎯 Align Your Goals with Your Training

    When I started, I just needed something physical to get in shape. These days, I’m more interested in understanding and cataloging systems.

    Over time, your reasons might change—and that’s okay.

    But what doesn’t change is this:

    Your training should match your goals.

    ⚠️ Sport vs. Self-Protection: A Reality Check

    There’s a real tendency for some instructors to try to be all things to all people—especially when there’s money involved. But the differences between sport and self-protection are more than just surface-level.

    Sport has rules, time limits, safety gear, and referees. The goal is to win without causing serious harm.

    Self-protection doesn’t come with rules. If you have to fight back in real life, chances are:

    • You’re surprised
    • You’re outnumbered
    • You’re protecting someone else
    • You’re starting from a disadvantage

    In those moments, you’re not looking to “win points.” You’re looking to survive.

    🧩 Can You Have Multiple Goals?

    Absolutely. You can train for self-confidence, get in shape, and maybe even compete.

    But not all goals mix well.

    Want to be a battlefield operator and an Olympic athlete? You’re going to face some trade-offs.

    The important thing is that your goals are generally compatible. And that you’re honest about what you’re training for.

    ❤️ The Heart of the Matter

    At the end of the day, only one thing really matters:

    Know why you train.

    Keep that reason close. Let it guide your training choices. And make sure the instruction you’re getting lines up with your goals.

    No reason is better than another. But delusion is the enemy—whether it’s yours or your instructor’s.

    🧠 One Last Thought

    So I’ll ask you the same question my instructor asked me:

    Why do you train?

    Whatever the answer is—own it. Train accordingly.

    Until next time.