Bricks in the Wall

Since the beginning of the year, I've become obsessed with fighting and the martial arts. It has given me so much knowledge and wisdom about myself and others that helps me day to day. For one, fighting is grueling exercise and you reach points of exhaustion that you would never see in other sports. It is a different level of exertion, since you are actively competing against the strength of another on both the physical and mental levels. I've learned who I am in crucial moments and who I have to become in order to improve. For example, I struggle with guillotine chokes all the time. However, I've been caught so many times that now, I've learned that staying relaxed, assessing my positioning, my opponent's positioning, and controlling my breathing are the most important courses of action when caught in a situation that seems inescapable. Furthermore, fighting is an exercise of the ego. This is because in fighting there are levels, and every individual fighter is on their own level. This means that in order to truly grow and progress as a fighter you must not compare and focus the progress and abilities of others Instead, as a fighter you must be able to put your head down and learn. Additionally, fighting shows you what you are capable of, which I think is especially important for men. I believe this because many men are insecure of themsellves and it can often times lead to immature disputes and violence. Martial arts provides an outlet for these insecurities because it helps one get to know one's self, and over time, breaks down egotistical attributes like a thirst for violence.

I heavily enjoy the process of training because it is highly rewarding both physically, mentally, and spiritually. Everyday is tough but that moment you step out of the gym, drenched in sweat, fatigued, cramped, and starving, brings the most rewarding feeling because it reminds you how you were able to push through your limits and stack another brick in the wall.