Fight for a Happy Life with Sensei Ando: Martial Arts for Everyday Life

Welcome to Episode #130 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “16 Years to Black Belt.” That’s right. It took me 16 years to receive my black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. That’s a long time getting tapped, smashed, and crushed! Am I bitter about it taking so long? Not at all! That’s the road I chose to walk. You see, the truth is I love Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, but it’s never been my main priority. My #1 martial art is Kung Fu San Soo. Everything else I pursue is intended to enhance that. And BJJ has definitely enhanced my Kung Fu! So, do I recommend that you train in BJJ, too? Yes, I do! I’ve talked about its benefits before in podcast #34: Facing Death and in this video about sparring. But, of course, that’s just my opinion. You do whatever you need to do to be your best. Still, check out this podcast anyway. Whether you’re a black belt now or on the road to one, the advice I share in this episode will help you, too. To LISTEN to “16 Years to Black Belt,” just hit play below. Play the audio podcast below… or download to your device.Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify. To WATCH the video version or READ the transcript, scroll down below. If you’d like to support this show, share the link with a friend or leave a quick review over on iTunes. Thank you! Oh—and don’t forget to sign up for free email updates so you can get new shows sent to your inbox the minute they’re released. Thanks for listening! Keep fighting for a happy life! 16 Years to Black Belt Here’s a video of the podcast. If the player doesn’t work, you can click this direct link. As always, if you’d like to comment (or complain!), feel free to leave a message here or through my Contact Page. TRANSCRIPT Today, on Fight for a Happy Life, “16 Years to Black Belt”. Howdy, Ando here from Happy Life Martial Arts. Welcome to episode number 130 of Fight for a Happy Life, the show that believes even a little martial arts makes life a whole lot better. If you watched last episode, you know that my wife works at home, and she requested that I record these things in my car. Well, today, I’m gonna stay inside, but I am gonna try to keep it down. But if you see a foot enter the frame here, or a frying pan, that would be her. Who knows, maybe you’ll witness a murder today. Although I don’t think she would publish that. Hard to say. Anyway, today, I want to make an announcement. I earned my Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Yay for me. Or what’s wrong with you? I say that because it took me 16 years to earn that Black Belt. I received it from Rigan Machado, the living legend at his Beverly Hills Academy. And yeah, it took me 16 years. Normally, in case you don’t know, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu is an art where it could typically take 10 or 11 years. Most of the people I know, it took them about that long. If you’re a hot shot on the tournament scene, if you’ve had some wrestling or judo in your background, maybe you could do it faster. If you’ve been injured along the way, maybe it takes a little longer. In my case, sure, I could say that COVID was one of the reasons for slowing me down. The lockdown definitely put a bump in the road. It’s also true that I moved to Raleigh. But I did join a Jiu Jitsu school when I was in Raleigh. Shout out to Alliance Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Cary, a fine school if you’re in the area. So I kept training anyway I could through that downtime. And once things were completely back to normal, I went back at it. Still took 16 years. So, again, yay for me and what’s wrong with you? The big question is, was it worth it after 16 years? Are you still going to go? Yes and yes. Absolutely it’s been worth it. And yes, I went right back to class. Just got back a couple hours ago. I got some people, they got me, we’re back in the cycle. I’ve talked about the benefits of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu before, back in Episode #24. We talked about the facing death and acceptance of death. I’ve also made a video on how Brazilian Jiu Jitsu...

Welcome to Episode #129 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Laugh in the Face of Death.” How do you prepare to face the day? Do you have a morning routine to be at your best? Whether you rely on exercise, meditation, red light therapy, or coffee, once the day starts, most of us feel our power being sucked away… or given away. The insults and threats of daily life are relentless in their attack on our optimism, good will, and best intentions. But wait! Isn’t that what training in self-defense is all about? To defend our health, safety, and good vibes? Yes! We must become masters in managing our minds and emotions to maximize our power and optimize our chances at success in every realm. In this episode, I’ll share three simple actions you can take right now (and keep taking all day) to boost your fighting spirit. I’ll also discuss the advantages of facing threats with a smile and why laughing in the face of death is a smart strategy. Of course, I’ll be interested in what you have to say, too! If you’ve got a trick to optimizing your attitude and defending your heart, let me know! To LISTEN to “Laugh in the Face of Death,” just hit play below. Play the audio podcast below… or download to your device.Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify. To WATCH the video version or READ the transcript, scroll down below. If you’d like to support this show, share the link with a friend or leave a quick review over on iTunes. Thank you! Oh—and don’t forget to sign up for free email updates so you can get new shows sent to your inbox the minute they’re released. Thanks for listening! Keep fighting for a happy life! Laugh in the Face of Death Here’s a video of the podcast. If the player doesn’t work, you can click this direct link. As always, if you’d like to comment (or complain!), feel free to leave a message here or through my Contact Page. TRANSCRIPT (In progress) Today on Fight for a Happy Life, Laugh in the Face of Death. The post #129: Laugh in the Face of Death [Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #128 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The Nuts and Bolts of Martial Arts.” Will your martial arts techniques hold up under pressure… or will your skills break apart and leave you lying in a pool of tears? Here’s the thing—it’s easy to get the BIG things right in the martial arts, but what about the SMALL things? You know…those little details that actually make or break your success? (Is it possible that you don’t even know some of those small things exist?) The devil is in the details, my friend. If you want to be effective on offense or defense, you have to look deeper and deeper into the mechanics of your art. Figuring out how all the nuts and bolts are put together takes time. It also requires asking questions, observing others, practicing, and experimenting. The good news is that if you keep an open mind and stay curious, you will slowly collect the subtleties and nuances that will lead you to your best chance at success. Join me for a discussion on how to solidify your martial arts training. To LISTEN to “The Nuts and Bolts of Martial Arts,” just hit play below. Play the audio podcast below… or download to your device.Subscribe on iTunes or Stitcher or Spotify. To WATCH the video version or READ the transcript, scroll down below. If you’d like to support this show, share the link with a friend or leave a quick review over on iTunes. Thank you! Oh—and don’t forget to sign up for free email updates so you can get new shows sent to your inbox the minute they’re released. Thanks for listening! Keep fighting for a happy life! The Nuts and Bolts of Martial Arts Here’s a video of the podcast. If the player doesn’t work, you can click this direct link. As always, if you’d like to comment (or complain!), feel free to leave a message here or through my Contact Page. TRANSCRIPT (IN PROGRESS) The post #128: The Nuts and Bolts of Martial Arts [Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #127 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Survival with Stephan Kesting.” You might know Stephan Kesting from his impressive work as an online BJJ instructor. You may also remember him from our first interview together back in episode #62. But he’s far more than just an internet hotshot. Stephan is... The post #127: Survival with Stephan Kesting [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #126 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Blind Spots.” In case you didn’t notice, I’ve been wearing glasses for several years… but not anymore! I recently underwent eye surgery and am happy to report that I can now see better than ever! However, even with perfect vision, the fact is... The post #126: Blind Spots in Martial Arts [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #125 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Killer Instinct.” Speed, power, and flexibility are all important, yes… but here’s the truth– They’re not enough! When it comes to surviving a real-life attack (or even just winning a tournament), you need killer instinct! You need to release your full fighting spirit!... The post #125: How to Train Your Killer Instinct [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #124 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Stop Pulling Your Punches.” It might sound harsh, but most people are holding back… not just on the mats, but in every aspect of life. They’re NOT maximizing their efforts and, therefore, NOT maximizing their successes. (Yes, including me!) The question is WHY?... The post #124: Stop Pulling Your Punches [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #123 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Build Courage in Martial Arts.” Many people worry that they won’t have the courage to fight back against a real-life attacker… and that includes martial arts students! It makes sense, really. You can build strong muscles and practice cool moves all... The post #123: How to Build Courage in Martial Arts [Video Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #122 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Yin or Yang: A Tale of Two Black Belts.” There are many paths to choose from in the martial arts… but how do you know if you’re on the right one? Wait—there’s actually an even bigger question to think about— Should you be... The post #122: Yin or Yang: A Tale of Two Black Belts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #121 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Hero Worship in the Martial Arts.” We all need teachers and role models in the martial arts… but can following a leader become harmful at some point? Is it possible to show a teacher too much respect? YES! If we’re not careful, our... The post #121: Hero Worship in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #120 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Use It or Lose It.” Some people say martial arts is like riding a bike… I don’t! I say use it or lose it! The fact is that no matter how hard you train, you can’t practice everything all the time, which means... The post #120: Use It or Lose It [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #119 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Lighten Your Load – Tai Chi’s Double-Weighted Error.” The art of Tai Chi Chuan is often criticized (or even mocked) in modern martial arts circles. Of course, much of that criticism comes from people who have never researched or practiced the art whatsoever!... The post #119: Lighten Your Load – Tai Chi’s Double-Weighted Error [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #118 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Get More from Your Martial Arts Practice.” You train hard… but are you getting everything you can out of your martial arts practice? Probably not! Don’t worry—in this episode, I share three practice tips that will pay you back with BIG... The post #118: How to Get More from Your Martial Arts Practice [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #117 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Bad Advice in the Martial Arts.” You get a lot of advice as a martial arts student… you probably give a lot of advice, too! But is it possible that all of that good advice is actually bad advice? In this episode, I’m... The post #117: Bad Advice in the Martial Arts [Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #116 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “You Got This.” Confidence is a tricky commodity. If you have too much—trouble. If you have too little—trouble! Especially in the martial arts, place too much faith in your skills, you might wind up dead. But place NO faith in your skills, you... The post #116: You Got This! Confidence in the Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #115 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Be a Good Judge.” Are you a good judge or a bad judge? In the martial arts (and in life!), I’ve definitely been both. But as I get older, I’d like to think I’m getting better at passing judgement. Whether we’re... The post #115: How to Be a Good Judge in Martial Arts and Life [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #114 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Driving Without Brakes.” I’ve done some stupid things in my life… but driving without brakes may be the stupidest! Of course, I didn’t plan on putting myself (and everybody on the road around me!) in danger, but it also wasn’t a big surprise.... The post #114: Driving Without Brakes – A Warning for Martial Arts and Life appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #113 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “The First Technique in Martial Arts.” Do you remember the first technique you learned in the martial arts? Was it a jab? A block? Maybe a breakfall? Whatever it was, let me ask you—would you say it was also the most important technique?... The post #113: The First Technique in Martial Arts [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #112 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “Lessons From Being Choked Out.” When I started training in the martial arts, I practiced a long list of moves to escape from chokes. No air, no problem… right? WRONG! It turned out that there’s a big difference between a “practice choke” and... The post #112: Lessons from Being Choked Out [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.

Welcome to Episode #111 of the Fight for a Happy Life podcast, “How to Make Martial Arts Techniques Work.” You see a move. You learn a move. You try a move… …but it doesn’t work! ARGH! So frustrating. The truth is, sooner or later, we all hit a wall in our training. We all get... The post #111: How to Make Martial Arts Techniques Work [Video + Podcast] appeared first on Sensei Ando.